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Message: [QUOTE="JAXCUSE, post: 3777604, member: 516"] The sport may be moving (closer) to what you advocate than we realize. And it isn’t the WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO or promoters that is driving it. It’s network competition for viewership. I agree that the “culture” of high level pro boxing has changed. Influenced by several factors. But the biggest (IMO) is the money these top-level guys are paid via exclusive promotIonal contracts to be their “star” and what I term the “Mayweather effect” - minimize as much opponent risk as possible to keep the “0.” Undefeated and Title = A Side in contract and fight negotiations. Promoter and fighter want to protect their “brand” for self interest purposes. No more HBO broadcast monopoly. PromotIonal stables are now linked to exclusive platforms (DAZN, Showtime, FOX, ESPN, now NBCSN getting in). Promoters are (over) paying to keep fighters in their stables due to competition from other promoters. The promoters (PBC and DAZN most prominently) are backed by investment groups. Side note - There were rumors Haymon almost went under a few years ago, but was able to secure another marker. Promoters need more network $ to keep fighters and investment partners paid and profitable. I believe we are nearing the end of a period (post HBO decision to drop boxing in 2018) when individual promoters were trying to build a “talent monopoly” to dominate the sport. They’ve reached stalemate (so-to-speak). Just like Arum and King did in the late 70’s and 80’s. They are gonna have to “play their Ace’s” because the networks will not keep paying premium $ to broadcast without the promise of a big fight to draw high level viewership (DAZN’s original $130 M contract with Canelo fell apart because Alvarez wouldn’t commit to third GGG fight - DAZN’s payoff so-to-speak). And the biggest opponents in many weight classifications are located in other stables. Broadcast mediums are competing with each other now (HBO had little to no competition - they demanded promoters provide big matchups or no broadcast). Promoters are gonna need to work together and make big $ fights or risk bankruptcy. I also think COVID shutdowns (no live gates for a year, relying on networks to subsidize) could accelerate this dynamic. Bottom Line - I think network demand for viewership (better matchups) in exchange for premium broadcast fees will break this log jam (think it’s starting - looks like we have Fury/Joshua). Al tried to “Dana White” the sport but failed. DAZN and PBC (especially) overpaid upfront contracts and will need to recoup the investment eventually. The only way to do this (at this point) is to give the networks (and fans) what they’ll pay for and watch. [/QUOTE]

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