Comments Thread For: Bursting the Bubble: ESPN's Boxing Return So Far Falling Flat

[Heru]

Bob Arum won't put on a competitive undercard to save his life. Even pre-Coronavirus he would rarely do it, even for PPVs!

The UFC puts on good cards which is why the UFC tv ratings on the exact same network are kicking Bob's ass.

Good post...

UFC cards offer competitive fights from start to finish. A recent card mentioned how an 8-1 favorite was the largest favorite of the card and it wasn’t on the main card. On a boxing card, particularly Top Rank, 8-1 would be one of the smallest favorites. It’s routinely 10-1, 20-1, unlisted, etc.

While writing this post, I took a look at the odds for tonight’s card. 5 fights, 3 of the 5 have -1750 or larger favorites and one 40-1 favorite. Valdez is -1750 as the main event (strange enough, Velez is not a bad opponent and probably wouldn’t be such a huge underdog if everything were above board).

The major sport’s leagues would be embarrassed to televise the lopsided games that boxing routinely puts on, let alone in one of its primetime slots. This doesn’t fall solely on Top Rank’s shoulders because there are plenty implicit in boxing’s demise, but they and their 50 year existence sure do coincide with this **** show.

[jonnyc420]

Boxing in America is dead. There are no stars to sell. Fans have had it with all of the rigged bs like mayweather's phony fraud career and wilder's 50 fake dives. Boxing in America is dead and the last heartbeat was the rigged Floyd vs Pac fight which coward floyd is ducking the rematch like a bi7ch.

Seen some morons in my day but you sir take the cake. You are delusional and nothing more than a troll. Mayweather is the best of this era on any continent. Name anybody who has done bigger business or nearly as accomplished over these last few years? Stop watching if all you are gonna do is cry and make excuses. The most profitable fights take place here, the biggest fights take place here. Mayweather/Pac, Mayweather/Canelo and Mayweather/McGregor all held here and are the biggest events in combat sports. When a fight truly captures the publics attention it happens here, get over it.

[The D3vil]

I mean, we're in the middle of the pandemic, so I'm just happy to have anything back.

Dana White is a douche who's willing to risk the lives and well beings of his barely paid fighters, so while I can respect how UFC does provide for it's fanbase, to me it's not worth it based on the exploitation.

[Oldskoolg]

The only bi7ch around here is YOU!

Seriously is there a more complete moron on NSB than this douch bag?

Perhaps, but not many

[Jim Partington]

Boxing in America is dead. There are no stars to sell. Fans have had it with all of the rigged bs like mayweather's phony fraud career and wilder's 50 fake dives. Boxing in America is dead and the last heartbeat was the rigged Floyd vs Pac fight which coward floyd is ducking the rematch like a bi7ch.

Have to applaud you on your honesty. I been seeing certain American fighters that have epitomized the lazy I’m above boxing culture attitudes, and it goes completely against what certain USA fighters of old used to be like. It’s that Mayweather era of entitlement to me. Wilder is nothing but a paper chump who was hyped up solely to give a certain demographic someone to get behind. It’s pretty sad, and shows just how far the inner city communities have fallen since the ***** years.

[TinAgeOfBoxing]

Emanuel Navarrete, Jessie Magdaleno and Shakur Stevenson. I do not know what weight class those guys fight at and cannot name a big fight they have been in.

[PunchyPotorff]

One thing you didn't mention, Lyle.... Dana White was the 'golden goofball' who was going to try to ignore the pandemic all together. So he was at home o.d.ing on crystal meth going bonkers while pretty much everyone else, including Unkee Bob, was abiding by the pandemic recommendations. Just be patient, man. Once things get back to normal with the pandemic woes, less aversion from fans, more of them ready to start attending fights, fighters themselves ready to step back in the ring etc etc.... we'll see some improvements slowly but surly. Right now we're still seeing fighters regularly calling out with covid19. You can't expect things to be smooth just yet.

And BTW, if we had an actual leader in charge of the U.S. instead of this idiot who dragged hizzazz for weeks/months calling it a hoax.... and who just now wears a mask... and only after experts pleading with him... the whole pandemic wouldn't have been nearly this bad. The experts are saying if 95% just wore masks and socially distanced themselves we could get the upper edge on this thing quickly. I know it's an uncomfy subject for many... but the pandemic is why this speed bump for live events happened to start with. Ignore it all you want... but that won't do a thing in getting it under control.

[paulf]

There have been a few good bouts, but overall it’s been a disgrace.

Giving these promoters exclusive deals always turns into garbage showcase fights and mismatches.

[TMLT87]

Its just the typical complacency from boxing (and Arum is probably the worst of the bunch for this) where they just expect the fans to eat up any old low effort **** promoters feed them through sheer force of habit.

[ShoulderRoll]

There have been a few good bouts, but overall it’s been a disgrace.

Giving these promoters exclusive deals always turns into garbage showcase fights and mismatches.

Major networks have the money and the muscle to NOT offer exclusive deals.

They should just pay for the best fights regardless of promoters.