Basically,all the Pacquiao fans are embracing showtime because it appears Manny has signed or is signing with them. Other than that i dont see how they have "stepped up".
They have stepped up because they have picked up the 2nd biggest PPV star in the world. Thats a fact, no matter who you support. I don't know how long this Top Rank alliance will last, but its very good work from Showtime. They have shown ambition with their boxing programming and surely HBO will have to raise their game this year too.
the pacquiao brand will make showtime a huge mainstream success, having exclusive rights to the best boxer in the world and national television promos is insane.