Will there ever be an HBO-type network to come in and bring boxing back?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by howard29, Aug 31, 2023.


  1. howard29

    howard29 Member Full Member

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    Oh how I miss the glory days of HBO BAD/World Championship boxing. One great fight after another, usually once/month or more, all for the price of an HBO subscription. Can we ever get back to that? It seems like the current model is a house of cards- I don't see how you can sustain making almost every top contender fight, even those that are not title fights, PPV, with many $75+. Sure ESPN+ and DAZN get table scraps and an occasional good card, but nowhere near the glory of the HBO cards, and HBO had by far the best production of any show- that wonderful beginning with the theme music panning out to the overhead view of the Vegas strip or whatever city they were in, and the best announcing. Part of me hopes that boxing collapses completely financially, to where they have to go back to the basics, and guys can't just make $10M to fight tomato cans.
     
    howard29, Aug 31, 2023
    howard29, Aug 31, 2023
    #1
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  2. The Real Lance

    The Real Lance Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I doubt it, but I'd hope so. So many BS fights have been on PPV when, back in the day, they'd simply be on HBO BAD or World Championship. The model is pretty much f*cked now. For example, TC v ESjr would simple have been on HBO on a Saturday night, as neither are really PPV worthy as sellers.
     
    The Real Lance, Aug 31, 2023
    The Real Lance, Aug 31, 2023
    #2
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  3. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Probably not, since most big money corporations have gone woke.
     
    Reinhardt, Aug 31, 2023
    Reinhardt, Aug 31, 2023
    #3
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  4. Top Dollar

    Top Dollar i want to have sex with kate abdo Full Member

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    if boxing continues to grow in popularity then in about 10 years or so a bunch of corporate jerkoffs will decide that there is a high likelihood they can monetize nostalgia and you'll see articles titled "HBO Boxing to make a return next year". kind of like toonami
     
    Top Dollar, Aug 31, 2023
    Top Dollar, Aug 31, 2023
    #4
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  5. 007 373 5963

    007 373 5963 Active Member Full Member

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    I don't think wokeness has much to do with it. The UFC is successful, and it is arguably bloodier and more violent. I think new HBO upper management just didn't see enough return on investment.
     
    007 373 5963, Aug 31, 2023
    007 373 5963, Aug 31, 2023
    #5
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  6. columbo

    columbo Member Full Member

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    HBO was a good boxing channel.
    when you see lampley or merchant introducing a fight, you knew you were in for a good show.
     
    columbo, Aug 31, 2023
    columbo, Aug 31, 2023
    #6
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  7. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    UFC is a drop in the bucket compared to high level boxing crowds and purses
     
    Reinhardt, Aug 31, 2023
    Reinhardt, Aug 31, 2023
    #7
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  8. Guerra

    Guerra Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Im hoping for a Saudi version of Hbo (Jamal I gotta tel ya!). Im sorry Americans but you messed me up for years with those 5:00-6:00 AM fights
     
    Guerra, Aug 31, 2023
    Guerra, Aug 31, 2023
    #8
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  9. 007 373 5963

    007 373 5963 Active Member Full Member

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    007 373 5963, Aug 31, 2023
    007 373 5963, Aug 31, 2023
    #9
  10. SergioJ91

    SergioJ91 Active Member Full Member

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    No, those executives think boxing is a waste of money.
     
    SergioJ91, Aug 31, 2023
    SergioJ91, Aug 31, 2023
    #10
  11. vast

    vast Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    One would hope so but in reality it does not look good.
     
    vast, Aug 31, 2023
    vast, Aug 31, 2023
    #11
  12. Mickea4

    Mickea4 Active Member Full Member

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    Think the inactivity and high purses has pretty much priced traditional networks out of the game
     
    Mickea4, Aug 31, 2023
    Mickea4, Aug 31, 2023
    #12
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  13. TMLT87

    TMLT87 Active Member Full Member

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    The biggest combat sports promotion on the planet by a massive margin = "a drop in the bucket" lol.
     
    TMLT87, Aug 31, 2023
    TMLT87, Aug 31, 2023
    #13