Trashed: The Klitschko Brothers Lose to HBO
By Geno McGahee
When people point to the problems with boxing, somebody will inevitably say that “where the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing.” This is somewhat true. Americans enjoy big things. They supersize their meals at the drive through and love movies about giant things like TRANSFORMERS, and the heavyweight division has caught their attention for many years. The heavyweight champion was considered the “baddest man on the planet,” but now, nobody in the states seems to really care. That is the point that Ross Greenburg, HBO Sports President, made in his latest decision to stop covering the Klitschko title defenses.
Greenburg isn’t totally wrong with some of his contentions. He says that many cannot tell the difference between IBO/IBF/WBO Champion Wladimir and WBC Champion Vitali, but I would contend that most would not be able to name any champion of the 200+ pound division. This part of the problem also falls on HBO. Although nobody will mistake a Klitschko fight for Hagler-Hearns, the brothers are not really marketed well. They are dominant and both have incredible knockout percentages.
People like knockouts.
Another issue noted is the tape delayed broadcast. They fight over in Germany and it happens around 5 PM Eastern Time in the states, and they show it at 10 PM our time, but by that time, most have checked the boxing websites to find out who won and end up not watching the fight. The Klitschkos fighting overseas is the biggest problem. It has hurt many fighters over the years in the states.
The lack of true challengers has also hurt the Klitschkos, but this also falls upon the networks and the lack of exposure for some of these men. When shows like USA’S Tuesday Night Fights existed, the heavyweights had a showcase. People knew who was challenging. George Foreman and Larry Holmes had the majority of their comeback fights on that show.
ABC featured fighters like Riddick Bowe on the way up, but now shows zero boxing. Part of the reason why there are no challengers for the Klitschkos is the lack of exposure. Alexander Povetkin, the next in line for Wlad, has a great track record and one hell of a trainer in Teddy Atlas, but HBO is passing on the fight. They past on the Eddie Chambers defense and Chambers was a legitimate threat to the title.
The Klitschkos need to come to the states and fight. Germany is considered bias by most that follow boxing and that alone can prevent a person from even watching the fight. Should they fight in Las Vegas or at one of the stadiums that have seen action as of late, the press would be better. Most don’t care because most don’t even know that they are fighting. Only die hard boxing fans are aware of the Klitschko schedule.
As much as Greenburg points to the reason why these fighters are not drawing the ratings, he needs to point at himself as part of it. The heavyweights coming up need to be shown to the boxing world.
Let’s play name association boxing fans. See how many of these fighters that you know.
Odlanier Solis, 16-0, 12 KO’s
Solis is a Cuban heavyweight with a big punch that has destroyed recent opposition in impressive fashion, including former title challenger Monte Barrett (TKO in 2) and ranked contender Carl Davis Drumond (TKO 3). He is on the verge of a title shot and will be squaring off, reportedly, with Ray Austin for the chance. Solis is a great threat to either Klitschko.
Denis Boytsov, 27-0, 22 KO’s
Boytsov is an aggressive fighter with power in both hands. He is a contender on the way up and has been stepping up the opposition as of late, knocking out Taras Bidenko in six. He is another guy that no American fans have seen and could pose a threat to the title.
Tyson Fury, 11-0, 9 KO’s
At 6 feet, 7 inches, and with a name like “Tyson Fury,” there is a lot of potential with this British heavyweight. At only 22 years of age, he still has a ways to go, but this is a prospect that merits some attention, but has yet to get any in the states.
Cedric Boswell, 31-1, 24 KO’s
The only defeat on the record of Boswell was a tenth round stoppage loss to Jameel McCline, when he was well ahead on points. Boswell would have won had he not been caught in the final round. He has won ten straight since and is being ignored. Granted, some of his recent victories were not over top level competition, but he is active and should be pitted against one of the more acclaimed up and comers.
David “Nino” Rodriguez, 33-0, 31 KO’s
He has 22 first round knockouts. He hasn’t been fighting the best opposition but he has been stopping everyone he faces with ease thus far. Rodriguez is another guy that could be featured on network TV. He’s got explosive power and fights aggressively. It’s hard to beat the combo.
This is just a sampling of the crop of unknown heavies that are making their way up the ranks or are already there, but you just haven’t heard of them. If ABC or NBC put together a card featuring today’s young heavyweights, with some of these guys in action against somewhat formidable opposition, it would sell. Then you begin to build the popularity of the challengers of the Klitschko brothers. Until then, they will just be fighting another unknown with no chance of winning.
In the end, Greenburg may be right. If the ratings aren’t there, then why air the fights? This puts the ball in the Klitschko court. Will they take the correct steps to work their way back into the HBO limelight? Will the networks begin to showcase the challengers as they make their way up? Let’s hope that they do. Boxing worked well in the 1980s with this formula. It would work now.