HBO gives the best fight feel and production. Showtime is pretty good, but doesn’t compare in terms of likeness or quality commentary wise. ESPN is so far behind that it’s just a joke. Other streaming sites are so under budgeted that it just feels as cheap as an illegal stream. I think that HBO and the premium networks made their own demise by restricting who can watch, but wow was it good while it lasted. Everything was so thorough and a ton of time was built with the fighters stories. I’ll miss HBO, it seems like it’s going to die soon. It might be for the better of boxing, but it will hurt short term for true fight fans.
Yep. most boxing stars have been made on hbo too. They do the best at promoting. Boxing is the one that has died a bit since haymons pbc. Garcia, porter, thurman, spence, on hbo these guys would be the face of the sport. Instead they are pulling in meager numbers on free tv. When hbo leaves it will be a huge hit on the sport and will probably be the beginning of the sports real death as it enters obscurity.
Coming up to budget time for HBO & it will be interesting to see what the executives decide to do. The beancounters would be all in favor of a substantial budget reduction you'd think. But a big slice out of the boxing budget will show effects down the road. Lets face it, the sport of boxing just is not bringing in additional subscribers to HBO.
