Comments Thread For: Merchant Agrees With HBO For Rejecting Rigondeaux

[al-Xander]

ESPN Friday night fights is the right venue for these extremely defensive fighters. Come on Arum, Schaefer, let these guys go.

[PeterNeversoft]

I really am shocked to hear HBO has lost touch with reality. Who wants to see a loser fight another has been. Donaire is the real guppy because in his heart he knows he was dismantled. Why in the world was he a P4P rankee in the first place. Arum is as biased a promoter as it gets. Donaire got outlawed but he also got beat up pretty bad. I know Donaire knew and didn't believe his own hype. Arum promoted very for sees but now is turning into Don King. HBO should have a guy that they can mandate zRigo to fight or just admit he's that good.

That's why you would not make a good business partner.

Not sure what you don't get about a boring fighter and why boring does not SELL!

[PeterNeversoft]

Missing out on the biggest fight since DLH vs Floyd sound like a great business move to you? Also missing out on Broner, Canelo, Garcia, Mares, Matthysse and every other young star sound like great business to you? Do yourself a favor and never open up your own business.

HBO is still thriving as a business so what do you know

[al-Xander]

I don't know what part of Larry Merchant's restaurant analogy people don't understand. If there are no customers coming in, there won't even be any restaurant.

[Mr.Smith]

Promoters and networks sell emotional fights/fighters because that's what the ignorant masses have been trained to appreciate. Skill is not appreciated nor is it really taught to boxers. It's all offense look at the NFL with its rules tying the defenses hands so they score more. Boxing is no different people wonder why Floyd acts a fool. It's the only way he gets paid. I understand HBO's stance because that's what they have chose to sell.

[Bigg Rigg]

He's saying this n he's gonna be calling Zou Shimmings next fight??? How hilarious is that. That ****ing chino is a bum. That's a guy I never wanna see fight again in my life. Only reason HBO n Bob care about him is cuz they see big money in China. Gtofh Larry, disappointed in you.

[ShoulderRoll]

No kidding. I'm a paying HBO subscriber and I would rather see Rigo on their airwaves than this ****ing Zou Shiming.

[vacon04]

Well considering that Merchant always gives the rounds to the go forward brawler it's no surprise that he said this. If a guy boxes the shit out of the other guy but the opponent throws wild flurries all over the place then he will give the rounds to the wild fighter.

[deanrw]

HBO, Showtime etc could care less over the die hard fans. They know we will show up to watch regardless. The ones they are aiming for his the casuals. The ones who pop on, and hopefully will stay on to watch the rest of the broadcast.

Is Rigo the most boring fighter out there? Far From it. He does not have the style that makes great entertaining fights though. We appreciate what he does, but the casuals will not. But there is more to it than just that. He also cannot speak a word of English and for the most part, Cubans do not have enough numbers Stateside to alter the ratings. Personally I think that is the only thing keeping Ward on the show, as Rigo is far more pleasing to watch fight as far as I am concerned.

It comes down to business and also how much Rigo wants to get paid. He may want a Million per fight now, but if he does not have the buzz, who can justify paying him that much?

Look at all the Buzz certain fighters create and who doesn't. The networks will understandably chase after those who are eye catching. lately we see it building with Golovkin and now we see it with Crawford. Certain fighters gather buzz themselves and others who don't, need a management team who can try to create that buzz for them. Rigo's team is useless. His management team is dead quiet unless they want another fight date. Sometimes you just need to put in extra work.

[Public_Enemy]

It just made too much sense to put Rigo on the Cotto card with the fight being in Florida. Rigo would get tons of support in Florida but I guess HBO wouldn't care about that though. I would pick Rigo over Zou Shiming any day of the week but Shiming has the opportunity to bring lots of new fans from Asia.