A message to Al Haymon from Boxingscene's Chino Madonna

[Bullrider]

What he did to the sport is un-fixable. Everyone now wants huge money for fighting nobodies. Which means investors need to throw in truckloads of money to entice big-named fighters to fight each other. No wonder they're not happening. Bear in mind that these are not even Cotto-level or Canelo-level fights where a return of the investment is guaranteed.

Even if he disappears today it will take a long time before any changes would take place.

[John Barron]

There is a serious, serious discussion to be had about what Al Haymon just oversaw in boxing in the year 2014.

IMO, it was a complete and utter disaster, considering he has a Welterweight roster of Thurman, Porter, Khan, Broner, Guerrero, Maidana, - and that's before you throw in 140ers like Garcia, Peterson, Matthyse, who could also all move up to 147. None of these fighters fought each other - which is especially annoying because you could throw all those names in a hat, pick out two randomly, and it would result in a great match-up.

(I'm not including Devon and Paulie, because they are awful, and nothing more than gatekeepers, along with Soto Karass and Julio Diaz).

The problem is, if you try to call Haymon out on this, you are drowned out by his supporters (jeez, even advisers have supporters these days) who will say...."but what about Arum".

It's this "what about him" culture that ruins boxing discourse. It's the same thing that happens when you criticise Floyd - "but what about Pacquaio?".

Same with Quillin - "but what about Golovkin - why is he ducking Ward?"

Adonis - "but what about Kovalev?".

And honestly, I fear for where the sport is going if Haymon is the biggest player in town. I honestly think he has lost sight of what is required in boxing - the sport lives and dies by great match-ups. Not every week, not even every month - but to go a whole year, leaving the sport in a state of statis, because there might be an NBC deal down the line?

Al Haymon is obviously an incredibly smart person. But he needs to understand that he is creating such resentment, such disillusionment with boxing fans with this paradigm he is trying to create - that a lot of people won't care once he gets his NBC deal.

Hey Al? Build up your fighters, including taking bigger risks than the likes of Russell Jr and Wilder got (which leaves them badly exposed when it's time for the step up).

Get them on Showtime AND HBO. The Showtime gravy train won't last forever.

Don't sign up so many fighters because you are insecure about what happens to you once Floyd retires because fighters need to be active.

Work with other promoters FFS.

Tell us about your intentions and how you view the future of the sport.

Stop trying to control the whole sport because it cannot happen, nor is it healthy.

may i suggest this as your new avatar?

[arraamis]

Or in other words, keep taking is up the ass because we are not privy to the behind-the-scenes machinations of the sport. Uncle Al has it under control. That NBC deal to the save the sport is on its way....

Your words not mine........

As stated, but in a subdued manner, you are not entitled to an explanation, nor are you entitled to anything in the way of communication from Haymon .... Period!!

Its not like you voted for him, or he was elected to a public serving office -- He's a boxing manager, who serves his clients. Whether that sits well with you or not, is of no consequence. Haymon serves his clients, and he works towards achieving their goals and or desires. This has nothing to do with fans who for some bizarre reason, feel entitled to something.

Why don't you try contacting Bill Belichek to see what his game plans are for the playoffs.

Great post. Everyone who posts on here needs to read it.

I swear Haymon is like a spawn of Satan. I mean what kinda spineless little pretentious coward doesn't present himself to the public as the mastermind persona he so rigorously tries to portray through the mainstream.

You are demonstrating pretentious in its most innate form. No offense but, who are you that Haymon should set aside time out of his schedule to satisfy your perceived needs and or desires???

Are you a CLIENT of his? Are you managed by him?

I mean, really ... are you serious??

I do wonder about the choice to remain basically hidden. I used to find it quite interesting but now....with all that is going on.....it sorta adds to the feeling of dislocation. I mean, this is the guy who wants to run the entire sport?

A dude we have never even read a WRITTEN interview from?

I'm not saying do interviews with Seckbach, but to basically remain distant from the fans.....what is the purpose of this anymore.

Can you at least outline some of your plans for the sport?

Anything?

Al?

I have to take exception with the distorted boxing fan mindset, that believes they're entitled to a Manager's\Promoters declaration of plans and or ideas.

Haymon is available to his CLIENTS, and that is not boxing fans on forums. Haymon's CLIENTS get to hear the plans, his vision and what he plans to do to 1.) Improve their financial status 2.) Help them achieve their goals.

In this world of social media, everybody thinks they're entitled to feedback from this person or that person. And that isn't true, nor is it a reality. You are NOT privileged, nor are you entitled to insider information between a Business Manager and his CLIENTS. Only a disturbed person would even think along those lines with a straight face.

may i suggest this as your new avatar?

[SlySlickSmooth]

Yeah, there is a frightening level of delusion that Qullin and Adonis seem to have - which is gonna make their demise into obscurity in the next few years all the more difficult to handle for them.

Pretty sure Stevenson had over a million viewers for a fight on HBO in 2013.

Now he's at like 400k in his last outing on Showtime.

[lefthook2daliva]

As stated, but in a subdued manner, you are not entitled to an explanation, nor are you entitled to anything in the way of communication from Haymon .... Period!!

Weren't you berating dude for being pretentious? Nevermind...below is from the same post.

Its not like you voted for him, or he was elected to a public serving office -- He's a boxing manager, who serves his clients. Whether that sits well with you or not, is of no consequence. Haymon serves his clients, and he works towards achieving their goals and or desires. This has nothing to do with fans who for some bizarre reason, feel entitled to something.

Below is from your second blog entry a couple of years ago I think.

Back in the day, I remember when it was the thing to do as a promoter - Have you're best fighter's take out the competitions best. In so doing, you would drum up your rep as the Promoter to be with. Most of the Top fighters were in your stable and you were able to line up the best fights with the best competition, at the very best locations, for the best paydays.

Those were the days - Now we have Promoters who almost exclusively keep the fights within their organization. That way, you don't have to negotiate, bargain, share the profits, or even have a working relationship with other competitors\Promoters.

This may be good for the Companies accountant's books and the financial bottom-line in the short term .... but it ultimately robs the fans of the best match-ups.

Care to reconcile these 2 statements?

[Luilun]

There is a serious, serious discussion to be had about what Al Haymon just oversaw in boxing in the year 2014.

IMO, it was a complete and utter disaster, considering he has a Welterweight roster of Thurman, Porter, Khan, Broner, Guerrero, Maidana, - and that's before you throw in 140ers like Garcia, Peterson, Matthyse, who could also all move up to 147. None of these fighters fought each other - which is especially annoying because you could throw all those names in a hat, pick out two randomly, and it would result in a great match-up.

(I'm not including Devon and Paulie, because they are awful, and nothing more than gatekeepers, along with Soto Karass and Julio Diaz).

The problem is, if you try to call Haymon out on this, you are drowned out by his supporters (jeez, even advisers have supporters these days) who will say...."but what about Arum".

It's this "what about him" culture that ruins boxing discourse. It's the same thing that happens when you criticise Floyd - "but what about Pacquaio?".

Same with Quillin - "but what about Golovkin - why is he ducking Ward?"

Adonis - "but what about Kovalev?".

And honestly, I fear for where the sport is going if Haymon is the biggest player in town. I honestly think he has lost sight of what is required in boxing - the sport lives and dies by great match-ups. Not every week, not even every month - but to go a whole year, leaving the sport in a state of statis, because there might be an NBC deal down the line?

Al Haymon is obviously an incredibly smart person. But he needs to understand that he is creating such resentment, such disillusionment with boxing fans with this paradigm he is trying to create - that a lot of people won't care once he gets his NBC deal.

Hey Al? Build up your fighters, including taking bigger risks than the likes of Russell Jr and Wilder got (which leaves them badly exposed when it's time for the step up).

Get them on Showtime AND HBO. The Showtime gravy train won't last forever.

Don't sign up so many fighters because you are insecure about what happens to you once Floyd retires because fighters need to be active.

Work with other promoters FFS.

Tell us about your intentions and how you view the future of the sport.

Stop trying to control the whole sport because it cannot happen, nor is it healthy.

Haymon has no clue in making great fights all he wants to do is fool idiots whom you described and line his pocket book off crappy fights at the expense of Showtime. The person at Showtime who dealt with Haymon and Floyd should have their head flush down a toilet and fired

[davidandrei]

yes great post. i especially agree and extremely pisses me off that there is so many posts in here lack a proper response that the only retort is "but what about so and so". sure it might be true also but it doesnt change the fact that something wrong is being done. just because theres two *******s instead of one should not mean we put our guns away.

[LacedUp]

My solution: internet streams.

I suggest you join something happens.

[dre23000]

No disrespect dude, but I don't think any of the principal's (Movers & Shakers) of boxing give a flying fuck what the fans think or want. Promoters, Managers etc.. are the one's with the insider information and have the concern of turning a profit in every instance. That being stated, I'm more than certain that there are larger concerns and considerations that remain hidden from the general populace. And for that reason alone, many fans should stifle the quite foolish assumption that they know what's really occurring behind the scenes. Because unless you're one of the Promoter's, Managers, Sponsors etc... you really don't know the who's, what's and or why's.

And therefore, the bottom line in such a situation becomes very easy to state: Either you pay for the fight card offering or you don't ........

In an ideal world, the principals of major sports would have a public forum, where they can sample the pulse of the fans. But we don't live in such a world and your voice amounts to less than a breeze in a hurricane. Boxing isn't on the level of other sports, in fact it is considered a side-show of corruption, misfits and disorganized alpha-males, with a less than intelligent fan-base as icing on the cake.

Good luck with securing a listen from any boxing Manager or Promoter.

What you're saying is sad.. but very true. SMH

[arraamis]

Weren't you berating dude for being pretentious? Nevermind...below is from the same post.



Below is from your second blog entry a couple of years ago I think.




Care to reconcile these 2 statements?

Sure, no problem......

Firstly, I can appreciate that you may perceive a conflict between what I wrote in a blog, compared with what is written here, but let me explain the differences. And this also, goes to the huge misunderstanding my many on this forum in regards to who is legally allowed to stage fights. And that right lies exclusively with the Promoter!!

Haymon, cannot by law negotiate, nor can he stage\promote a fight between anyone. especially among those under his management. He may by law, counsel his clients into accepting or rejecting the card being promoted\presented by the Promoter, but he, as a manager is not allowed to put together boxing cards. That act has to be performed by a licensed Promoter in collaboration with sponsors, Network, Venues etc...

So, there is a distinct difference between what I stated in a blog regarding actions of a Promoter, and what I stated here regarding actions of a Manager\Adviser.

This factual difference is why guys should never compare for example, Haymon and Arum -- One is a Promoter and one is a Manager\Adviser of which only the Promoter is allowed by law to schedule and stage Boxing contests. Haymon can only advise his clients as to whether its a good idea to face one opponent or another. But ultimately, it is the Promoter who matches opponents and then he presents it to both the Network\Sponsors and Haymon, who then counsels his clients about the best move to make and whether the fight is advantageous to their goals and or objectives.