In Control of the Business of Boxing
Bleacher Talk
July 5, 2009
In Control of the Business of Boxing
One of the most puzzling questions that arise in boxing is who decides on who should fight be who, especially when this involves the sport’s biggest stars. A clear example is our very own Manny Pacquiao. Who should have the final say on Pacman's opponent in November? Should it be Bob Arum of Top Rank as the official promoter of Pacquiao? Should it be any of the boxing organizations (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF) which are in a way being “ignored” by the biggest names and promoters? Or should it be the boxer himself?
Sugar Shane Mosley wants to fight Pacquiao very badly and has indicated that he’s willing to give in on many concessions such as the catch weight and the split of the purse. But nothing seems to be developing on this end. All roads seem to be leading towards a showdown between Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at a catch weight of around 144-145 pounds. You can bet that both Pacquiao and Mosley are asking why.
The WBO has stepped into the picture and is recommending that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight be recognized as an official title fight. It’s obviously a smart move, beating the WBC, WBA and IBF to the count on making an official statement. Pacquiao doesn’t have an official title at 147 pounds, and this would be a record sixth (or seventh) title for the Pacman should he win. The WBO is in a nothing to lose scenario here.
But beyond all these, what does Pacquiao have to say about fighting Cotto or Mosley or anybody else?
Welcome to the boxing’s world of business. Or shall we say to the business of boxing? I’m afraid that boxing these days has become a business more than a battle between two warriors. Boxing is no longer the traditional way of determining the best boxer on the earth but a mix of both business and boxing per se.
It’s all about the money (again). And who controls the shots? Ladies and gentlemen, presenting in the neutral corner, wearing an elegant black suit, the boxing promoter! In showbiz, he’s equivalent to the executive producer of a blockbuster film. He’s the person who bankrolls the entire package, sells it, shows it, and of course earns from it. So when Bob Arum talks about carefully planning Pacquiao’s career and choosing his next opponent, it goes without saying that he’s also on the look-out to earn the biggest possible return on every penny that he invests.
When Oscar de la Hoya claimed that Arum was “protecting” Pacquiao in not working for a showdown with Mosley, he was right in a way. He should know. After all, he’s the top gun at his very own Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) who also finds the best possible fights and money for his boxers. With the golden boy retired, de la Hoya needs a big fight for Mosley to make more money.
All promotions outfits have their own stable of boxers who they will build, promote and count on to bring in the big bucks. Pacquiao is now more than just a boxer for Arum. The Pacman is Top Rank’s top jewel who needs to be nurtured and cared for as long as possible. Every Pacquiao fight is a guaranty for more revenues in the future, and they need to keep him busy. Thus, it wasn’t surprising to hear Arum talk about having Pacquiao become a boxing congressman should the Pacman be elected to the House next year. Arum also has Miguel Cotto under its wings along with Kelly Pavlik, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jorge Arce, Fernando Montiel and Edwin Valero. The Pinoys under Top Rank’s care include Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Abe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen. Z Gorres is reportedly being eyed by Arum but no formal contract has been signed by both parties.
GBP controls the promotional rights of the likes of Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, Victor Ortiz, Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis, Rocky Juarez, Ricky Hatton, Joel Casamayor, Robert Guerrero, Daud Yordan, Abner Mares, Jhonny Gonzales, Oscar Larios, and Israel Vasquez. Boom Boom Bautista and AJ Banal were also with GBP but I’m not sure it their contracts have already expired.
The funny thing about all this is that boxing’s alphabet collection of ruling bodies has now become secondary players in the sport. Slowly but surely, boxers are now fighting for the biggest paycheck offered by promoters instead of the world championships being paraded by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO. The tide has definitely changed, hasn’t it?
In the end, boxing fans will now get to recognize the names of TR (for Top Rank) and GBP (Golden Boy Promotions) as being more valuable than accepted boxing bodies of the sport. Good or bad?
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Edmund Porter. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
July 5, 2009
In Control of the Business of Boxing
One of the most puzzling questions that arise in boxing is who decides on who should fight be who, especially when this involves the sport’s biggest stars. A clear example is our very own Manny Pacquiao. Who should have the final say on Pacman's opponent in November? Should it be Bob Arum of Top Rank as the official promoter of Pacquiao? Should it be any of the boxing organizations (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF) which are in a way being “ignored” by the biggest names and promoters? Or should it be the boxer himself?
Sugar Shane Mosley wants to fight Pacquiao very badly and has indicated that he’s willing to give in on many concessions such as the catch weight and the split of the purse. But nothing seems to be developing on this end. All roads seem to be leading towards a showdown between Pacquiao and WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at a catch weight of around 144-145 pounds. You can bet that both Pacquiao and Mosley are asking why.
The WBO has stepped into the picture and is recommending that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight be recognized as an official title fight. It’s obviously a smart move, beating the WBC, WBA and IBF to the count on making an official statement. Pacquiao doesn’t have an official title at 147 pounds, and this would be a record sixth (or seventh) title for the Pacman should he win. The WBO is in a nothing to lose scenario here.
But beyond all these, what does Pacquiao have to say about fighting Cotto or Mosley or anybody else?
Welcome to the boxing’s world of business. Or shall we say to the business of boxing? I’m afraid that boxing these days has become a business more than a battle between two warriors. Boxing is no longer the traditional way of determining the best boxer on the earth but a mix of both business and boxing per se.
It’s all about the money (again). And who controls the shots? Ladies and gentlemen, presenting in the neutral corner, wearing an elegant black suit, the boxing promoter! In showbiz, he’s equivalent to the executive producer of a blockbuster film. He’s the person who bankrolls the entire package, sells it, shows it, and of course earns from it. So when Bob Arum talks about carefully planning Pacquiao’s career and choosing his next opponent, it goes without saying that he’s also on the look-out to earn the biggest possible return on every penny that he invests.
When Oscar de la Hoya claimed that Arum was “protecting” Pacquiao in not working for a showdown with Mosley, he was right in a way. He should know. After all, he’s the top gun at his very own Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) who also finds the best possible fights and money for his boxers. With the golden boy retired, de la Hoya needs a big fight for Mosley to make more money.
All promotions outfits have their own stable of boxers who they will build, promote and count on to bring in the big bucks. Pacquiao is now more than just a boxer for Arum. The Pacman is Top Rank’s top jewel who needs to be nurtured and cared for as long as possible. Every Pacquiao fight is a guaranty for more revenues in the future, and they need to keep him busy. Thus, it wasn’t surprising to hear Arum talk about having Pacquiao become a boxing congressman should the Pacman be elected to the House next year. Arum also has Miguel Cotto under its wings along with Kelly Pavlik, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Jorge Arce, Fernando Montiel and Edwin Valero. The Pinoys under Top Rank’s care include Nonito Donaire, Brian Viloria, Abe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen. Z Gorres is reportedly being eyed by Arum but no formal contract has been signed by both parties.
GBP controls the promotional rights of the likes of Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez, Victor Ortiz, Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis, Rocky Juarez, Ricky Hatton, Joel Casamayor, Robert Guerrero, Daud Yordan, Abner Mares, Jhonny Gonzales, Oscar Larios, and Israel Vasquez. Boom Boom Bautista and AJ Banal were also with GBP but I’m not sure it their contracts have already expired.
The funny thing about all this is that boxing’s alphabet collection of ruling bodies has now become secondary players in the sport. Slowly but surely, boxers are now fighting for the biggest paycheck offered by promoters instead of the world championships being paraded by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO. The tide has definitely changed, hasn’t it?
In the end, boxing fans will now get to recognize the names of TR (for Top Rank) and GBP (Golden Boy Promotions) as being more valuable than accepted boxing bodies of the sport. Good or bad?
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Edmund Porter. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
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