We've all seen the business segment of the news or paper and how they look at the market. I thought it would be fun to look at boxers the same way. My analysis is done more from the marketing/branding viewpoint (my skill set) than from a technical, in-the-ring analysis. Please give me your take. 1. Biggest Gainer -- Sergio Martinez In a little over a year he had a barnburner, major upset and a shocker. A multi-national fan base and good looks help; ask Oscar. He is now a seven figure earner when he steps in the ring. 2011 Projection: His star will cool as he has difficulty signing the really big fight, but he'll be fun to watch. 2. Biggest Dividends -- Manny Pacquiao He made around $40 million dollars without fighting Mayweather; he's still boxing most marketable star and the name even the most casual sports fan knows. His likability on a global scale is largely unscathed and his pockets are fatter. 2011 Projection: People become frustrated at a lack of a Pac/PBF fight and his PPV numbers drop, but he still pulls in $20 mil plus. 3. Biggest Loser -- Paul Williams He went from the touted "most avoided man in boxing" to "the dude who got knocked out by Martinez" with a bizarre fiasco with Cintron in between. His hopes of PPV vanished in 2010 along with his biggest payday, Pavlik. 2011 Projection: More of the same. Fighting tough fights for mediocre money and asking for more respect. Should have sold -- Mayweather His stock was highest after the ODH victory and has plummetted since. He is perceived to be holding up the biggest fight in history, has legal problems, and is on the plus side of 30. None are good signs. 2011 Projection: Who knows. On the rise -- Saul Alvarez Buy into this kid. Golden Boy will break him out in a big way in 2011. After a few carefully picked fights on HBO, look for him to break into PPV in 2012.
Great point on Pavlik. Although I can see him having one hell of a bounce back. The white guy pulling his life together as America pulls out of a recession is one marketing pitch waiting to happen.
Donaire seems to be a moderate buy. He'll get a decent exposure fight with John, but won't break into mainstream consciousness/dollars any time soon. Ward should be a huge buy as an American in the finals of the Super Six. But, if he hasn't cashed in off the gold medal, I don't expect him to cash in on the Super Six either. Neutral.
lol@ floyd being in a tailspin dude has to sign to fight someone...just about anyone...and a million people are watching and hes takin in 20-30 mil.....
Bradley -- first million dollar payday is the toughest fight of his life. Wait and see. Khan -- beats Marcos and can now say he can beat a puncher. Has huge marketing team of GBP and Freddie Roach behind him. Buy. Koki -- I don't know enough about the guy to make a knowledgeable projection, but what I've heard is great.
I think Pavlik is the biggest loser. Not just this year, but for the past two years. It should be very clear by now that a focused Kelly Pavlik would have run right the **** over both Abraham and Williams. However, public perception is that he ducked both guys. Now both guys have been thoroughly trashed by other opponents, and that knocked nearly all the shine of both potential wins. His reputation is in tatters, his life is in shambles, his career is a question mark at best, and knowing alcoholic behavior the way I do, I'm willing to speculate and say his finances probably aren't in great shape. I've spent over 20 sober years in Alcoholics Anonymous, and I've seen things that bordered on the miraculous. Pavlik, at age 28, could make a stunning comeback. Considering the back story, KP is probably only two good wins away from the top of the world, but those miracles I mentioned are the exception, not the rule. This was a great idea for a thread. I have more to say on Williams and Martinez, but I don't have time right now. Catch ya later guys!
