http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/i...inoza-brings-fan-perspective-new-showtime-job Showtime has an option on Ward's next fight, which Espinoza will soon begin discussing with Dan Goossen, Ward's promoter. The network also has titleholder Lucian Bute under contract for one more fight. Espinoza already has shown he won't be a pushover for promoters. Like many boxing fans, he wants to see Ward-Bute, so he has thus far resisted buying Bute-Froch, much to the chagrin of their handlers. "The Super Six achieved its goal of identifying the best fighter in that weight class," Espinoza said. "Andre Ward is, without question, the best in that division and one of the pound-for-pound best. I hope to do business with Andre for years to come. As for Bute-Froch, a lot has been written about that situation. We penciled in Bute for an April 14 fight. We had all assumed that would be Ward versus Bute. That plan was thrown off by [Ward's] hand injury. So we are still discussing with [Bute promoter] InterBox who he will be matched with." There is a chance that Showtime will pass on Bute's next fight while retaining the rights to a third and final fight on his deal. ************************* ONE more fight for Ward, and the same for Bute? That one homecoming defense for Ward certainly won't be against Bute (more like Magee), you can bet your ass Ward is going to HBO after that. Bute will likely have to get rid of Andre Dirrell in Canada with SHO hoping Dirrell takes it, then he'd have to chase Ward over to HBO. Bad planning = you lose the war.
Well, if Showtime can play hardball with Bute, by not showing the Froch fight, then they can do the same by not showing the Magee fight. In essence they can basically refuse the guaranteed payment to both fighters UNLESS they fight each other. I was hoping all along that Ward was only ducking Bute to allow him proper time to recover, make a madatory defense and in the meantime allow for Bute to beat Froch and sweeten the pot. But now, with this talk of vacating the WBC, and thus intentionally basically giving the belt back to Froch, Ward can fight Magee, then BHOP, and then (insert anyone but Bute here). I like Tony Dirrel, and I think he's the future of the SMW division, but he CAN'T beat Froch, Kessler, Bute, Ward, or Steiglitz......YET. So this is in essence feeding him to the wolves. What Ward should do is unify with Bute after taking his home defense against Magee. Then win or lose, move up to LHW or unify with Kessler/Steiglitz.....but he's weak, and weak always takes the easiest way out. So it looks more and more like Magee, BHOP....BUM BUM BUM.:-(
Hmmm. We'll see. My guess is that Dan Goossen wants that Showtime fee for Andre's "homecoming fight". He's probably looking at around 10K in attendance, and obviously a friendly timezone (as opposed to Bute-Froch in UK... would be surprised if SHO dished out a fee for a time delay).
We all know the reason Showtime don't want Froch Bute......it's because they want either Dirrel(both with Showtime for several fights) or Ward. Dre won't fight in Canada and can't sell 50 tickets to his broke ass family. Tony is fan friendly, but only NOW gaining a fan base. Ward is obviously the best fight for all parties involved, and if Showtime wants to play hardball with Bute, they should do it with Ward and not show his Magee fight....just IMO.
