Kathy Duva questions the Haymon Boxing Model (good read)

[The Big Dunn]

Haymon should have used the money he spent on Hans Zimmer to find himself a decent matchmaker. It's the one aspect of the sport in which he's miles behind, and it's probably the most important capability a promoter can have. Finding opponents who people that know the sport won't laugh at, and yet also won't be good enough to actually beat your guy is the key. Haymon still hasn't figured that out. You look at Broner and he's following the same path as Berto, just half a decade later.

excellent post!!!!!

[radioraheem]

These things were popular and mainstream before the invention of TV.

The idea is that you aren't going to convert any non-boxing people into boxing fans. Most boxing fans grew up with the sport in their household in some form or another. The reason why football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer/futbol, etc. are so popular, is because it is nourished at the lowest levels of the sport. There should be no reason to neglect the point of view that a great youth program is necessary for future growth.

Fixing boxing should be a long term investment to attain a mainstream goal. There is no quick fix. When the big time folks finally realize that, it will change.

But that's the thing, that was BEFORE the TV. And before the TV, the mass media was the newspaper and radio. And what was popular on those formats was also popular amongst the public. Music not on the radio was usually unheard by the national masses and remained local.

A great youth program is great, but it is far more expensive. It requires very deep pockets for pure charity. Many local communities struggle to develop even some for the more mainstream sports. Building an outdoor tennis court does not come cheap, nor does an outdoor basketball court. These things are expensive and they aren't even done enough. Many schools today across the country are struggling for funding, let alone recreational or extracurricular programs.

Boxing gyms are even more expensive, and you need trainers and supervision which adds more to the expense. These are part of the reasons why you see very few gyms around. Bottomline though, boxing needs an explosion in the mainstream for even grassroots approaches to flourish.

[Mitchell Kane]

But that's the thing, that was BEFORE the TV. And before the TV, the mass media was the newspaper and radio. And what was popular on those formats was also popular amongst the public. Music not on the radio was usually unheard by the national masses and remained local.

A great youth program is great, but it is far more expensive. It requires very deep pockets for pure charity. Many local communities struggle to develop even some for the more mainstream sports. Building an outdoor tennis court does not come cheap, nor does an outdoor basketball court. These things are expensive and they aren't even done enough. Many schools today across the country are struggling for funding, let alone recreational or extracurricular programs.

Boxing gyms are even more expensive, and you need trainers and supervision which adds more to the expense. These are part of the reasons why you see very few gyms around. Bottomline though, boxing needs an explosion in the mainstream for even grassroots approaches to flourish.

One more area where the UFC is out front of boxing...they've established UFC Gyms all over the country

http://www.ufcgym.com/locations

[Hougigo]

Glad she addressed the pay disparity between the boxing and UFC model. That's what makes it so hard for me to see pbc becoming like that as well.

[davidandrei]

to be perfectly honest, I don't give a fawk about promoters or how much boxers get paid or sponsors or if the masses accept boxing. There will always be dirt poor men and so there will always be boxing. I will stay a fan and pass it on to my son.

also, if all the big names died today, someone out there will meat ride an up and comer and someone else will hate that same guy. so all will be well with the world.

[PACnPBFsuck]

Doesn't answer the question. What does bringing in more fans exactly do? How does it benefit boxing?

Holy **** this might the ******est thing I've ever seen written on here.

No, he's serious.

[radioraheem]

One more area where the UFC is out front of boxing...they've established UFC Gyms all over the country

http://www.ufcgym.com/locations

Yeah, but even these aren't that many gyms, and this is not free. You gotta pay, and it's aimed at adults more than youth. This too wouldn't be possible without the UFC's mainstream success.

[big_james10]

I would copy and paste it but it's too long but for those interested here is the link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2392678-is-al-haymons-premier-boxing-champions-sustainable

To work the plan needs to attract sponsors, without sponsorship it's likely to fail and sponsors don't usually want to touch boxing.

Duva says boxing has an image problem with regard to sponsors which would explain why Haymon has cut the seedy entourages, questionable entrance music, got rid of the ring girls, no corner talk and cut short Broner's interviews.

Haymon seems intent on cleaning up the sport's image to sell it to the masses so that big sponsors will come in.

I still think they could have entrance songs, but just normal songs, doesn't have to be gangsta rap.

I am sure that Al Haymon makes a lot more money on boxing that Cathy Duva does, so she is not the person that he would take advice from.

[big_james10]

I think it came from a tweet from Dan Raphael....???

....who gets all of his information directly from the mouth of Bob Arum.

[big_james10]

Yeah I think it came from big Dan,so it may or may not be true. What I do know,is that there was a noticeable amount of empty seats at the mgm that night. Not a huge amount,but more than you'd think,especially with the amount of advertising they had for the fights.

Neither Guerrero, Thurman, Broner or Mares are large draws, so the empty seats are not surprising.

I don't know what Al Haymon's business plan is, but I am sure he will succeed. For the sake of boxing fans, all of us should hope that he succeeds because the offerings presented by HBO and Showtime leave a lot to be desired