Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev could land on HBO

[Pandur]

According to Dan Rafael Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev is not sure to be televised on Showtime.
Showtime only has an option on Joshua's next fight.
It means that they can match any offer HBO puts on, but they don't have the exclusive rights to televise his fights.
With Top Rank's new ESPN deal, HBO should really go all in on Joshua vs. Pulev.

http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-40000647-4

[Vegemil]

Yeah they sort of need this even though it might stunt AJ's massive growth.

[Pandur]

Yeah they sort of need this even though it might stunt AJ's massive growth.

I actually think is will be better for Joshua to sign with HBO.

HBO generates more viewers and ratings than Showtime.

The viewers for the Joshua vs. Klitschko fight was better on the delayed tape (HBO) then the actual live broadcast (Showtime).

The live Showtime telecast did and average of 659,000 and it peaked at 687,000 viewers

The delayed HBO broadcast average 738,000 viewers with a peak of 890,000.

[Vegemil]

I actually think is will be better for Joshua to sign with HBO.

HBO generates more viewers and ratings than Showtime.

The viewers for the Joshua vs. Klitschko fight was better on the delayed tape (HBO) then the actual live broadcast (Showtime).

The live Showtime telecast did and average of 659,000 and it peaked at 687,000 viewers

The delayed HBO broadcast average 738,000 viewers with a peak of 890,000.

I'm worried that them picking up AJ will make them have all his fights as PPV. HBO on the boxing front is horrible at decision making.

[Pandur]

I'm worried that them picking up AJ will make them have all his fights as PPV. HBO on the boxing front is horrible at decision making.

Ohhh yeah, you sure are right about that.

But as long as Joshua fights in Europe, there is no way his fights are gonna be on PPV.

Overseas PPV is so hard to promote and get good numbers on.
I can only recall them doing two Manny Pacquiao fights in Macau.
Against Brandon Rios and Chris Algeri.
One fight did 475k and the other 400k.
Joshus would even do those numbers against a Ortiz or Pulev.
Plus both those fights was in the morning so it would be primetime in the US.

No way Eddie Hearn moves a stadium fight in the morning in UK.
I dont even think he can do a stadium fight that late because of rules of transportation.

But if he fights in the US they could at some point make him a PPV figther.

[MasterPlan]

I'm worried that them picking up AJ will make them have all his fights as PPV. HBO on the boxing front is horrible at decision making.

AJ on HBO means no Wilder or Ortiz fights. All the top heavyweights are with SHO minus WBO champ Parker.

[Eff Pandas]

Damn Showtime is f#cking up with this Joshua play. Last time they had to split the fight with HBO (iirc they had the live version & HBO had the delay version) & now they gotta match a HBO offer to keep Joshua. Sh^t they should be able to match HBO these days I'd hope. In particular after they just had a nice lil PPV that surely made Showtime some $$$.

[Pandur]

AJ on HBO means no Wilder or Ortiz fights. All the top heavyweights are with SHO minus WBO champ Parker.

Wilders is not tied with Showtime contractually. His last two fights where on FOX.
He said in a interview that he does not have a contract with Showtime.
Neither does Ortiz.
Just because you are with Al Haymon does not mean who exclusively have to fight on Showtime.

Felix Diaz fought Crawford on HBO.
Same with Amir Khan & Chavez Jr. fighting against Canelo.
With the state of PBC both Wilder and Ortiz could fight of HBO if they get Joshua.

Damn Showtime is f#cking up with this Joshua play. Last time they had to split the fight with HBO (iirc they had the live version & HBO had the delay version) & now they gotta match a HBO offer to keep Joshua. Sh^t they should be able to match HBO these days I'd hope. In particular after they just had a nice lil PPV that surely made Showtime some $$$.

They havent really promoted him that good. His ratings on Showtime have not been impressing.
I hope HBO gets the fight.

And I dont know. With Top Rank on ESPN, HBO should have more money to play with.
And their budget is still bigger then Sgowtimes if they really want Joshua.

[Eff Pandas]

They havent really promoted him that good. His ratings on Showtime have not been impressing.
I hope HBO gets the fight.

They only had him for 1 fight & it was his coming out fight. And I think the numbers were actually really good for live afternoon fight numbers although in fairness its not like thats a common time for a fight to be shown on premium cable in the US.

Can HBO afford him? I suspect HBO's & Showtime's budgets are super close.

And I dont know. With Top Rank on ESPN, HBO should have more money to play with.
And their budget is still bigger then Sgowtimes if they really want Joshua.

Idk if HBO's got a bigger budget or not at this point tbh.

And its not like HBO was throwing a lot of money at Arum's guys anyway so idk if that opens up THAT much money.

[Pandur]

They only had him for 1 fight & it was his coming out fight. And I think the numbers were actually really good for live afternoon fight numbers although in fairness its not like thats a common time for a fight to be shown on premium cable in the US.

Can HBO afford him? I suspect HBO's & Showtime's budgets are super close.

Idk if HBO's got a bigger budget or not at this point tbh.

And its not like HBO was throwing a lot of money at Arum's guys anyway so idk if that opens up THAT much money.

Well yeah I guess you are right. But I still think HBO has more money to spend on cards if they really really want them.
And with Showtimes schedule already spending this year HBO should have more in the bank to spend then them.

You right. HBO has made pretty cheap cards.
But if they want Joshua in the future, they should go all in on him now.