SOME THINK THE “H” IN H-BO IS FOR HAYMON
San Francisco, CA– Last week while appearing on “Ring Talk Worldwide,” the Godfather of HBO Boxing, Hall of Famer broadcaster Larry Merchant, was asked to discuss an issue that other people in a position like Merchant would duck, run or avoid. But this is Larry Merchant, a former football linebacker in college, and the best there is, the best there was, and the best at what he does, Merchant didn’t flee when I brought up the 800 lb. gorilla in the HBO world, boxing manager and agent Al Haymon.
NO SENSE IN BEATING AROUND THE BUSH
So, I put it to Larry merchant like this: “Speaking of good fights I’m probably putting you on the spot here Larry, but do you think Al Haymon’s fighters are getting too many easy fights on HBO, too many showcase positions in televised bouts?
NEVER EXPECT MERCHANT TO BECOME UNRAVELED!
larry response, “I don’t know if it’s exclusive to HBO, but I think sometimes, I think we have allowed at times what I would call agenda fights or resumé fights. These are perfectly legitimate fights for young fighters to have but not on HBO in my judgement. Before they come to HBO they ought to have already taken that step up. Seth Mitchell, the heavyweight had somewhat of a step up before he came to HBO last week and that’s good. When I see young fighters fight it’s great, but when they get to the HBO level I want to see them in fights that challenge them. And hopefully that will happen in our future.”
MANAGERS WHINE, MOAN, THEY BITCH ABOUT “BIG AL’S” INFLUENCE
If I had a Cuban cigar for every time a manager, promoter, or a boxing agent has brought up the seemingly incestuous relationship between Al Haymon and HBO, I could own a factory in Havana. People wanted the question asked, it was, and I think Merchant’s response was about as on the money as you could expect.
Pedro Fernandez