Lomachenko-Walters OFF because Top Rank has no leverage

[mathed]

Think about the race of most American boxing stars. Now think about how many Black American fighters you see on HBO. HBO has made it clear Blacks are not wanted at HBO as viewers or fighters.

Isn't Andre Ward fighting on HBO next weekend against a Cuban boxer who looks "black"?

[Pigeons]

I would like to see the following PPV:
Crawford vs. Postol, WBC/WBO unification + Lineal
Lomachenko vs. Walters, WBO (or @ 130 w/ no belt)
Ramirez vs. Hart (if Ramirez beats Abraham, not a given)
Benavidez-Alvarado (or one of their top prospects in a showcase, Falcao, Mekhontsev, or Murata)

What do you guys think?

[The Gambler1981]

I would like to see the following PPV:
Crawford vs. Postol, WBC/WBO unification + Lineal
Lomachenko vs. Walters, WBO (or @ 130 w/ no belt)
Ramirez vs. Hart (if Ramirez beats Abraham, not a given)
Benavidez-Alvarado (or one of their top prospects in a showcase, Falcao, Mekhontsev, or Murata)

What do you guys think?

At the right price point with the right promotion it can make some money, obviously not big business but enough to cover cost, raise the profiles of the winners and have a little profit left over.

The problem with it though is that sort of PPV is very vulnerable to getting screwed with by the competition counter programming with slightly less meaningful fights but without the extra cost.

[big_james10]

What an embarrassing situation for Arum & Top Rank.

They have such a weak business model that they rely completely on HBO to fund them. They have no leverage at all.

Top Rank will be dead in a few years for sure.

What is the source for this information? This sounds like more anonymous message board bulls...t!

[anonymous2.0]

inb4 Top Rank puts forth a Walters-Lomachenko gofundme or kickstarter

[original zero]

I have no idea if the fight is off, but I do agree TR has no leverage.

Manny's plan after Bradley is to fight Mayweather without TR or HBO involvement. TR knows this and it's going to be very very difficult for Manny to win a decision.

If Bradley loses, TR has practically nothing. If Bradley wins a completely bogus decision, HBO can try to spin it, but Bradley will still be damaged goods.

Even if Bradley gets a legit win . . . then what? Haymon has the opponents locked up.

Which probably means sacrificing Bradley to Canelo for the 155 pound bull**** championship.

Arum lasted longer than King. It's been very impressive. But nothing lasts forever.

[_Maxi]

HBO paid Golovkin 1.5 million to beat up bum Monroe but they want to pay 500k for a glamour fight like Walters vs Loma? It'd why HBO only appeals to racist losers.

How much Andre Ward got for fighting Smith? 2 millions? then **** off

[Citizen Koba]

Think about the race of most American boxing stars. Now think about how many Black American fighters you see on HBO. HBO has made it clear Blacks are not wanted at HBO as viewers or fighters.

You're a nutter, bro. Only colour HBO cares about is green.

[Raonic]

Why would Showtime be foolish? They still have a great relationship with Al Haymon, the Ruslan Provodnikov move essentially brought Banner Promotions/Star Boxing into the Showtime fold, they're regularly delivering compelling ShoBox cards with quality prospects, and the return of Showtime International (to carry the Matchroom shows that have US interest).

Top Rank is up ****'s creek.

Because it can be good money for them? Unless they are getting compensated by Haymon in some way so ST doesn't take the fight, they are losing out on some money.

[Scipio2009]

Because it can be good money for them? Unless they are getting compensated by Haymon in some way so ST doesn't take the fight, they are losing out on some money.

It's possibly "good money", but only for one fight.

Compare that to their deal for Ruslan Provodnikov, which also came with Barrner Promotions following their fighter into the fold (have no doubt that Provodnikov-MolinaJr is coming at about the cost of what they'd be willing to pay for Lomachenko-Walters).

For the investment to bring aboard Provodnikov (it sounds like it's Provodnikov-Molina, with an option on another 3-4 fights), Showtime is also getting long loooks at "Boo Boo" Andrade, Willie Monroe Jr, and other fighters that they might have interest in (for their own abilities, or as proverbial matchups for other fighters that Showtime has interest in).

There's nothing for Showtime to build to if they pay out for Lomachenko-Walters.