Let me say right off the bat, I don't mean to ask this out of hate. I've liked Bradley for a while, and even his post-Pacquiao statements haven't bothered me. But for the life of me I cannot figure out why HBO is spending money to air a fight between a guy who is not a draw and whose popularity may have actually further decreased coming off a fight with a top PPV draw and a guy who by all rights is an ESPN FNF level fighter, both in terms of ability and recognition. And yes, Provodnikov deserved to beat Herrera, but I fail to see why I should be impressed by that, nor does it take into account the gift decision he received against Grandpa Corley. I see no reason why HBO should have approved this fight as a WCB main event, especially given Bradley's earlier rejection of a Peterson rematch. Beyond this however, I'm also somewhat confused why I haven't seen the same people who killed Greenburg for fights like this regularly taking Hershman to task. Bradley-Alexander was one of the low points of HBO boxing according to some, but Bradley taking on a far less popular fighter somehow receives little criticism. Likewise, Bradley's former promoter was denegrated as a mere "TV packager" yet could someone highlight how exactly his current one isn't behaving in the exact same manner for this fight?
Bradley is undefeated. He just fought Pacquiao. He's the WBO Welterweight Champion. What other fight would you have preferred they air tomorrow instead?
If this weren't a WBO title match (yes, the WBO being the most weakly regarded org among the four majors - but their recent welter lineage includes: Margarito, Williams, Quintana, Cotto, & Pacquiao...so in this division at least they are legit) I'd say this ought not be on HBO but ESPN2. It would be downright ridiculous to have it on HBO. Being that it actually is, I'd say it ought be on HBO WCB and not ESPN2 FNF. It would be downright ridiculous to have it on ESPN2. (although they have set precedent of late with a couple of world title bouts...)
I'd prefer they'd either save their money to secure bigger fights and/or not simply accept whatever mediocre opponent Top Rank is willing to trot out because they don't like working with promoters that have more relevant fighters at the weight.
:good If Evgeny Gradovich didn't already have dibs (get it? Dibs? ) on the moniker "The Russian Gatti", it would suit Ruslan. :yep
Imo, This fight isn't as bad as some are making out. This will be a good fight. Its a 'championship' fight, with a fighter who has had multiple HBO appearances, coming off a pac fight. Theres no way HBO wasn't going to air this fight.
Bradley hasn't been on regular HBO in over 2 years. And I understand the network airing his next fight, but I fail to see why they should have accepted this opponent, no questions asked. He surely doesn't command that type of control, and his promoter shouldn't either given their now limited ability to take fights elsewhere.