Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” - Haymon and Bettering “The Contender”

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - It was March 2005. Boxing was returning to primetime television on NBC in the form of a buzzed-about reality competition called “The Contender” helmed by a highly successful executive producer in Mark Burnett. Hall of Fame boxer Sugar Ray Leonard had an on-air presence to help lend credibility and star power to the series.

It is 10 years later, and boxing is set to return to primetime television on NBC this March in the form of a buzzed-about series called “Premiere Boxing Champions” that is being put together by highly successful boxing adviser Al Haymon. Sugar Ray Leonard will once again be an on-air presence.

The parallels pretty much end there, but it’s interesting to think back to what “The Contender” sought to be, what “Premiere Boxing Champions” will not be, and how the minds behind “PBC” will hopefully strive for it to be and do far better than “The Contender” did a decade ago.

“The Contender” debuted with 8.1 million viewers, had 8.9 million viewers for its next airing and 6.7 million for its third. On average, the show pulled in an estimated 6.2 million people for its first season and 7.97 million for the live finale. These would be amazing numbers when compared to boxing’s traditional audience — given that HBO and Showtime celebrate when its shows do 1.2 million viewers — but back in 2005 and on America’s major broadcast networks, these numbers weren’t good enough for NBC to renew fit. Seasons 2 and 3 were on ESPN. Season 4 was on Versus, which is now NBC Sports Network. [Click Here To Read More]

[nycsmooth]

last time Leonard was an "on air presence" was when he was coked up w/HBO..

[SUBZER0ED]

Haymon is making a big gamble with his network t.v. venture. Fans are to believe that he will go from giving his fighters "safe" and even no fights for big pay on premium channels, to making big fights on network t.v. Since he has to put up his own money and must secure sponsorships to offset his costs, it's in his best interest to make fights that people want to see. One big question is: Will he be able to capture the interest of casual fight fans? Another question: Why did he jerk everybody around on the premium channels, yet is so willing to deliver "great" fights on network t.v.? His rep is crap from witholding his top fighters from top fights. Haymon has a lot to prove.

[Dr.Pepper]

Haymon is making a big gamble with his network t.v. venture. Fans are to believe that he will go from giving his fighters "safe" and even no fights for big pay on premium channels, to making big fights on network t.v. Since he has to put up his own money and secure sponsorships to offset his costs, it's in his best interest to make fights that people want to see. The big question is: Will he be able to capture the interest of casual fight fans?

Arum gives you nothing but shi.t fights on PPV and you smile like a Dolphin.

Haymon gives you fights on TV and basic cable and you bi.tch like a sissy at a strip club.

Stop worrying about Haymon's money.

If Arum...Duva....or K2 were behind this venture instead of Haymon you'd be a lot more optimistic and supportive.

Haymon treat his guys the best by far and the fans hate him for it....LOL.......Makes you wonder why ya'll REALLY don't like Haymon.

[sicko]

Actually "THE CONTENDER" or some type of Boxing Reality Show makes a lot of sense right now.

[joseph5620]

I don't see any parallels between the two other than being on a free television network. These are world class fights while the contender was a reality series with largely unknown and unproven fighters trying to make a name for themselves. The fights were even edited for dramatic effect.

These are two completely different formats.

[Humean]

I don't see any parallels between the two other than being on a free television network. These are world class fights while the contender was a reality series with largely unknown and unproven fighters trying to make a name for themselves. The fights were even edited for dramatic effect.

These are two completely different formats.

To be fair you'd have to edit a Sergio Mora fight to get some dramatic effect, they must have received an Emmy for that.

[joseph5620]

To be fair you'd have to edit a Sergio Mora fight to get some dramatic effect, they must have received an Emmy for that.

I agree with you. The editors even found a way to make Ishe Smith look exciting.

[SUBZER0ED]

Arum gives you nothing but shi.t fights on PPV and you smile like a Dolphin.

Haymon gives you fights on TV and basic cable and you bi.tch like a sissy at a strip club.

Stop worrying about Haymon's money.

If Arum...Duva....or K2 were behind this venture instead of Haymon you'd be a lot more optimistic and supportive.

Haymon treat his guys the best by far and the fans hate him for it....LOL.......Makes you wonder why ya'll REALLY don't like Haymon.

You don't know how I react to ****, junior. I don't care about Haymon's money; I made an observation based on what's been publicized. Haymon hasn't "given" us great fights yet. This is a 'Wait and see how things unfold situation'. You must be one of his lap boys. Feel free to STFU now, and resume kissing his ass.

[NOI]

Thank you for number 10. That was a very cheesy and funny moment.