PEACOCK NETWORK AIRS PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS
San Francisco, CA– Al Haymon and his Premier Boxing Champions have fueled a renaissance of boxing here in the United States, something the “Boxing Establishment” is aghast over. But at the end of the day, did any of the elite promoters, outside of Kathy Duva, try and place professional boxing back on Network TV? No, there were instead making zillions on PPV. Case closed, out with the old and in with the new and that means NBC boxing Saturday prime time with a five star main event.
GREAT MATCHUP LIVE NBC SATURDAY NIGHT
Adrien Broner ( 30-1, 22 KOs) of Cincinnati, OH is considered one of the game’s better technicians and was headed for a mega pay day with Floyd Mayweather before Marcos Maidana canceled his ticket by upsetting Broner. Standing across and looking to get a piece of Broner is also once beaten (25-1-1, 16 KOs) Sean Porter, who dropped his “0” and the IBF 147 lb. diadem to Kell Brook (34-0, 24 KOs) on points in 2014.
HAYMON MATCHES HIS GUYS VS. ONE ANOTHER
Both Broner and Porter are clients of advisor Al Haymon, the Harvard guy that put together $400 million with the sole intent of making boxing more mainstream, a feat he has accomplished by putting a number of cards on NBC, CBS, Tru TV, Spike TV and soon ESPN. Haymon purchases airtime from the networks and hopes to become chummy with the Nielsen ratings, and in time have networks and advertisers giving him airtime and advertising dollars.
BOLD MOVE TOOK BRAINS, GUTS AND $400 MILLION
Main Event’s Kathy Duva tried buying some NBC airtime years ago. Unfortunately her stable was a little light when it came to pugilistic thoroughbreds, thus she couldn’t make a go of it. Why the “Boxing Establishment” put a “Hit” out on “Big Al” and his Premier Boxing Champions in the form of the Assn. of Boxing Commissions asking the Justice Dept. to look under Big Al’s skirt.
BOXING ESTABLISHMENT MAD AS AL PAYS FIGHTERS MORE!
They claim that he is violation of the Muhammad Ali Act in that he is acting both as a promote and a manager, something the law that was watered down by Nevada Sen. Harry Reid, says this is not allowed. There must be two different parties in the roles of “promoter and manager.” Haymon says he is an advisor, and yet Premier Boxing Champions walks, talks and operates like a promoter. The ABC is asking the “G” to go along with their assertions and dismantle PBC for violating Federal law.
CONGRESS HEARING IS HAYMON’S “VICTORY” PARTY
When the ABC brings Haymon to trial or before Congress for a hearing, Al will have every fighter he’s got testify that they are making more money with Al, way more, than they could have elsewhere. Haymon can call Bob Arum of Top Rank as a “hostile” character witness and Arum will be asked, “Did you say that Haymon is paying his fighter’s ridiculous purses,” or something to that effect. Arum would squirm and twist, but eventually he’s have to say that he did!
ARUM COULD BE “BIG AL’S” BEST WITNESS
Haymon takes a flat 10% from his clients as an “advisor.” If you were with Arum, you might be giving up 33% to a manager and have the promoter taking his cut, all the while still having to pay your trainer and taxes. If this gets to Congress, all of these fighters that Haymon is appeasing with fat purses, the boxers and people like Arum will illustrate that the fistic Laborers are happier and getting paid more with Haymon. Case closed, again.
BACK TO THE BRONER-PORTER SKIRMISH
Although Porter has fought as a jr. middle (154), Broner was “chubby” previously at welterweight (147). Cross state rival Porter, who hails from Cleveland can be exploited by speed and combination punching as Brook illustrated, Broner will look to (and need to) stay off of the ropes as Shawn will be looking to “work both hands” up and down vs. a stationary target. And instead of admiring his flashy fists, Broner needs to make this all about his left jab. If he can’t, decision Porter.
SPENCE IN “TOUGH ON PAPER” UNDERNEATH
Errol Spence Jr. is a slick southpaw who most fighters would like to avoid. At 16-0, 13 whacks, Spence is supposed to be tested Saturday by the far more experienced Roberto Garcia (37-3, 23 stops). As was Broner-Porter, Spence-Garcia is a Texas rivalry pitting Dallas vs. Houston. Garcia matches up well in every department except age (35 to 25) and speed. And as we know the vast majority of the time, “Speed” kills in boxing and I’m going with the speed and the pedigree of Spence to prevail.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, TV commentator, radio talk show host, former San Francisco Policeman and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding this submission can be left below under the advertising.
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BRONER-PORTER ON NBC SATURDAY NIGHT