In comparing Kovalev w/ Stevenson, Kovalev made financial concessions against Hopkins in order to make the fight in the first place.
Also keep in mind Stevenson's contract guarantee with Haymon had alot to do with the political/competition at the time. HBO wanted Stevenson and were pushing a certain market value on him, Showtime seen an opportunity and overpaid, HBO had the opportunity to match the Fonfara fight and wisely declined.
Without the Showtime backed Haymon deal, Stevenson would be making about $500k a fight. His fight attendance has been on a bit of slide since Dawson (7,000 vs 8,000 when Dawson fought Pascal and now around 5,000), and his Showtime ratings haven't been all that great either.
Given his declining numbers and lack of future opposition (Fonfara rematch is about it), he screwed up turning down the Pascal fight where he would've made 60%. After Kovalev beats Pascal in Montreal, I wouldn't be surprised in Kovalev became a bigger draw than Stevenson and then all advantages in negotiation will be on Kovalev's side.
Also keep in mind Stevenson's contract guarantee with Haymon had alot to do with the political/competition at the time. HBO wanted Stevenson and were pushing a certain market value on him, Showtime seen an opportunity and overpaid, HBO had the opportunity to match the Fonfara fight and wisely declined.
Without the Showtime backed Haymon deal, Stevenson would be making about $500k a fight. His fight attendance has been on a bit of slide since Dawson (7,000 vs 8,000 when Dawson fought Pascal and now around 5,000), and his Showtime ratings haven't been all that great either.
Given his declining numbers and lack of future opposition (Fonfara rematch is about it), he screwed up turning down the Pascal fight where he would've made 60%. After Kovalev beats Pascal in Montreal, I wouldn't be surprised in Kovalev became a bigger draw than Stevenson and then all advantages in negotiation will be on Kovalev's side.
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