Ring Ratings: Stevenson stripped

[HeroBando]

I'm glad that YOU don't see an issue with him fighting on HBO, but since you have no qualifications and clearly don't understand how this business works, it's not surprising that you don't see an issue.

So allow me to explain what some of the issues are.

#1 - By only allowing HBO to bid on the fight, there is absolutely no way to maximize the value of the fight.

#2 - While Kovalev has an exclusive HBO deal NOW, that wasn't the case after the Pascal fight when the Stevenson fight was offered. He chose an HBO deal over fighting Stevenson.

#3 - Stevenson is a Viacom fighter (Showtime, CBS and Spike). If Stevenson loses on HBO, his value to the networks that have invested in him is virtually zero, no different than if Kovalev had lost on Showtime. His HBO deal would have been pulled.

So both are in the same boat, yet you apply one standard to one and a completely different standard to the other.

They are the two champions in the division. They should unify. Stevenson agreed to unify and Kovalev backed out. You can parrot the HBO propaganda all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that Kovalev was a TV free agent, had a 50/50 deal on the table and walked away to go sign another HBO deal. At that point, Kovalev is the ducker, not Stevenson.

If you can't see that, I can't help you. Personally, I think boxing fans are idiots for caring in the first place about who is the best fighter they can make weight on a certain day at a randomly chosen number. The whole thing is nonsense. The top 40 heavyweights would demolish both of these guys. Go watch the WNBA if you care that much about inferior athletes.

OK let's split the difference and say both ducked before, whatever. Let's talk now. One guy has an exclusive with HBO, still America's premier boxing network. Other guy is not exclusive to anyone, per his promoter, and has seen a huge drop in ratings, attendance, opponent quality, prestige since leaving HBO. He's got a 50/50 offer on HBO vs 3 belt Peoples Champ. What should he do?

[HeroBando]

More people watch PBC boxing than watch HBO boxing. HBO boxing is a sinking ship. PBC's power will continue to grow in the coming years as HBO's power shrinks. HBO is only the premier boxing network in the eyes of a shrinking core of boxing nerds.

Just because Haymon is smart enough to not sign any fighter to a specific network doesn't mean Haymon doesn't have relationships and loyalties that must be honored for the betterment of his business.

HBO is overpaying for Kovalev and Haymon is overpaying for Stevenson. That is what happens sometimes in these kinds of wars.

What should Stevenson do? Keep collecting that Haymon money.

What did Kovalev do? Keep collecting that HBO money.

Your double standard continues.

All I see is a bunch of excuses not to take the best money and exposure around. Same old story with Stevenson

[fourtheboys96]

More people watch PBC boxing than watch HBO boxing. HBO boxing is a sinking ship. PBC's power will continue to grow in the coming years as HBO's power shrinks. HBO is only the premier boxing network in the eyes of a shrinking core of boxing nerds.

Just because Haymon is smart enough to not sign any fighter to a specific network doesn't mean Haymon doesn't have relationships and loyalties that must be honored for the betterment of his business.

HBO is overpaying for Kovalev and Haymon is overpaying for Stevenson. That is what happens sometimes in these kinds of wars.

What should Stevenson do? Keep collecting that Haymon money.

What did Kovalev do? Keep collecting that HBO money.

Your double standard continues.

You imply that it is about the money - a business decision. Then wtf is stevenson crying abojt bejng stripped of that ring belt?

[Showtime..]

More people watch PBC boxing than watch HBO boxing. HBO boxing is a sinking ship. PBC's power will continue to grow in the coming years as HBO's power shrinks. HBO is only the premier boxing network in the eyes of a shrinking core of boxing nerds.

Just because Haymon is smart enough to not sign any fighter to a specific network doesn't mean Haymon doesn't have relationships and loyalties that must be honored for the betterment of his business.

HBO is overpaying for Kovalev and Haymon is overpaying for Stevenson. That is what happens sometimes in these kinds of wars.

What should Stevenson do? Keep collecting that Haymon money.

What did Kovalev do? Keep collecting that HBO money.

Your double standard continues.

****** alert. Ding ding ding!