Boxing

 

Morales vs Ayala: Boxing Fans In Canada Shut Out!

By Ed Ludwig

16.11.2002 - How I miss the days of my beloved sport on network television. Boxing fans in Canada have been let down by the cable companies therefore the highly anticipated bout between Erik Morales vs. Paulie Ayala will not be shown. I have contacted various cable companies throughout the country and I have yet to receive a reply. On November 23rd for a cost of $39.95 fans will get to see the Micky Ward vs. Arturo Gatti rematch.

How on earth can they charge for a non Pay Per View event and not even air the Morales vs. Ayala card? What goes on here is criminal as far as I am concerned. The CRTC also known as the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission should look into the business practices of the cable and satellite companies. For years fans have been ripped off by high prices and lack of coverage.

As much as I want to see the Ward vs. Gatti rematch live there is no way in hell that I am going to shell out the money for one fight. Most HBO bouts are shown live on TSN. That is our equivalent to ESPN. Since the first fight was a barn- burner the greedy cable companies have decided to cash in. I find it insulting that they can get away with this and charge whatever they want. It's bad enough that I had to shell out $39.95 for John Ruiz vs. Kirk Johnson.

Canada has major problems when it comes to boxing coverage or lack of. INTERBOX shows that are free on ESPN2 cost the Canadian fight fan $49.95 and most Pay Per View's cost ten dollars more than our American neighbours. Unless you have a bunch of friends wanting to pitch in it is pointless paying these ridiculous prices. What hurts even more is that we get no Showtime events.

In order for me to see fights carried by that network I have to trade tapes with my American friends and I will get to see it weeks or sometimes months after the fact. As a writer and a fan I am appalled that we are subjected to these conditions. I would have no problem shelling out the money for the Morales vs. Ayala card but for Ward vs. Gatti the asking price is insane. I am almost certain that the upcoming Chris Byrd vs. Evander Holyfield title fight will cost us.

For me personally, if I want to see any events not shown in Canada then I have to make the half hour drive across the border into Washington State and catch it in a local bar. Because of my frustration with what goes on here I am now seriously thinking about saying no mas and not ordering any more events. After taxes my digital cable bill cost me more than one hundred dollars for the Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson fight card or should I say lecture?

Boxing promoters should work in conjunction with the major television networks and expose the talented fighters to people from all walks of life. As time passes the viewers may follow a certain boxer and one day if he gets a title shot on a Pay Per View then I am sure they would be more willing to spend their money. It is time for the promoters and television networks to get off their collective asses and promote the great sport we all love and reach out and get to the people who are not able to watch on a regular basis.

ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net are doing a pretty good job but fans need to see boxing on ABC, NBC and CBS. Basic cable is the way to grab new fans and make more money in the long run. Boxing is dependent on the diehard fans. Outside of us the interest is zero and that needs to change. Coverage is so bad that many fighters cant even get tapes and scout future opponents. When it comes to Pay Per View then show a card of top-notch fighters and not people like Butterbean and Mia St. John.

Speaking of Mia St. John, how on earth can she headline a Pay Per View event? She was awarded a gift decision against Kristy Follmar earlier this year and now a showdown with Christy Martin comes next. Isn't it ironic that Butterbean is on the under card. He fought recently against an opponent, I do not recall his name and he lost. This took place after his loss to Larry Holmes. The bout has been changed to an exhibition and therefore this does not count towards Butterbean's record and in the rematch his opponent will make a few extra bucks for agreeing to this stipulation.

I really don't expect much to change in the coming years. Cable companies will continue to gouge us and promoters will continue to air heavily hyped Pay Per View's with meaningless preliminary bouts. In closing, I say give the fans what they want and that way you can justify your costs. My message to the cable companies in Canada, do not charge us for what is not being sold as a live Pay Per View event elsewhere. HBO should look into there dealings with them because this is wrong. I am only one voice but I am going to contact the CRTC, Shaw and Rogers cable etc and keep hounding them until I get an answer.

For Canadian fans you can let your feelings be known by writing to www.crtc.ca, www.shaw.ca and www.rogers.ca

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