Melvin K. (Brooklyn, NYC): I wanted to get your thoughts on the way that Timothy Bradley seems to be avoiding a clash with Amir Khan. Initially he was talking all that smack after he defeated Alexander, but since Khan defeated McCloskey to line things up we haven’t heard a peep from him. Is it me or is he punking out?
Vivek W. (ESB): Over a month ago I spoke on the fact that it was widely speculated that the not-always-so-great relationship between Shaw and Bradley probably lies at the core of this issue, and the more we see this unfold, the more I think this logic remains the true culprit. We’ve seen Bradley go overseas and face Witter, we’ve seen him face a very good level of competition here in the states. I haven’t been the biggest fan of some of his past actions, but I’d be the first to say that I don’t see anything is his DNA that leads me to believe that he would “punk out” of a match against Khan of all people.
I like Khan, but lets call an ace an ace and a spade a spade…….Khan doesn’t scare anyone! And I say that as a fan. I’ve spoken up for him quite often in the past, reminding everyone who cared to listen about how impressed I was to see him as a younger fighter show heart after a loss, get up, target formidable competition, and move on. All that being said, he’s never been one to cast a shadow of fear on any level in the mind and heart of an opponent.
As a matter of fact, if there were such a thing as a “feared” side of Khan, despite his gutsy performance, that facade was surely lost when he took a pummeling at the hands of Maidana to the point where his trainer spoke of wanting to actually stop the fight. So, again……I love Khan, but for those out there who somehow suggest that Bradley’s refusal to accept the terms given means that he’s somehow afraid, I think this notion is far-fetched at best.
You hate to see politics stop the fight from happening, but without question, I think this entire scenario has everything to do with a fighter who seems more apt to do what most in the sport before him have done in this situation: THINK ABOUT HIMSELF FIRST! Rather than moving to the cadence of the public, he wants to drum his own beat, and it centers around getting a promoter he thinks could probably do more for him in this fight and future fights.
I fully expect that Khan will face someone else in July, and somewhere prior to, we’ll see Bradley hire a new promoter when his contract ends in June. It’s basically giving up a Benz now for a Bentley later! There will be no lost opportunities….just maybe delayed a bit. Stay tuned.
Chaz D. (San Diego, CA): I think it’s a great idea for Top Rank to offer the Pacquiao/Mosley fight online. I think the $54.95 cost is high considering that it’s online, but I think it can go a long way in terms of the additional viewers. Do you think this will help the actual PPV count in the end?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think a measure like this can only help, but how much is the true question. When you think about it, (at least when I do), you have to ask yourself: What would really constitute a person ordering it on a laptop/desktop, as opposed to a television. Before I became more involved in the sport and began to cover several fights, there wouldn’t be a Saturday evening to pass by where I didn’t order the fights with a few friends, sip on a few brewki’s and chat it up!
What would possess me to do this with a group of guys sitting around a laptop? Sounds funny in theory, but the only people who would really even consider this are those who maybe have seen the CBS buildup and don’t wanna order pay channels (Showtime). Or perhaps someone traveling or potentially at work and unable to sit in a home location or bar to watch the fight.
I think opening the door to fight fans to see it via internet stream or over a smart phone via internet is a very great option, but my point is that I don’t see it netting too many additional buyers, as the masses will either go to a bar where they can watch with others, or order at home. The additional viewers picked up by the option may only represent a small percentage, but will surely help the overall numbers in the end. I think it was an innovative idea and I’m very curious to see how it unfolds.
The only down side I see to the equation is that with so many options on the table, (Television, Internet, Closed-Circuit, etc.), a weak set of bottomline viewer numbers after the fight and suddenly this all backfires. Anything less than 1.8M viewers would be a bust in my book, when you consider all the outlets available. So it’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds in the end. Can’t wait!
Alexander H. (London, UK): I hear now that the the Klitschko/Haye fight is still in jeopardy due to a growing issue that can’t be resolved regarding the tickets. I don’t believe these guys will fight. It just seems to be too much back and forth. Do you think it’ll happen?
Vivek W. (ESB): The back and forth politics of this sport is killing people softly! It really is. Seems nothing is a sure deal anymore until two men actually step in the ring and the bell sounds. After seeing the face-off, after hearing all the hoopla about this fight being signed, sealed, and on the brink of delivery, suddenly, we learn that there remains at least one make or break challenge. At the end of the day, I don’t think this issue will be enough to stop the fight from happening, but the Klitschko’s don’t seem to be willing to bend even a little bit here, which makes very interesting.
Haye has conceded as much as one can to make this fight happen, and to think now that the first allocation of tickets will be offered to the German fans, rather than many of Haye’s fans who will have to travel to the venue is an absolute sham. I didn’t want to totally side with Haye who said he felt the Klitchko’s “continue to move the goal post”, but this settles that issue in my mind. It’s ridiculous.
If they get the home venue, which this pretty much is for them, there’s no reason why the U.K. base shouldn’t get better, more affordable options considering that most will have to travel. What I’m confused about is that this kind of preliminary stuff should have been ironed out at the table in the beginning or end of true negotiations.
Why are we just running into this question after the world has been put on notice of the pending fight? I think it’s bad for business, and I hope the K-Bros relax their position, as no doubt, Haye does bring something to table in the promotion as well. It takes two, and that’s only fair!
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(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, Youtube (VIVEK), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), and FaceBook).