Did you ever think that HBO and Showtime would collaborate on anything? Well, this isn’t precedence actually, but if it was to happen twice a boxing event would be the most likely scenario. That is exactly what will happen when Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao duke it out in a big, BIG fight. Even this writer knows that and I don’t follow ‘the sweet science’ per se.
Now be careful here. This is not just any bout about to be simulcast on the two rival networks – instead this is a big, BIG pay-per-view event because boxing fans have been hankering for this one for a long time and it is bound to be a big, BIG cash-in for everyone. The first team-up of HBO and SHO, in fact, was an event just like this one. In 2002 then-heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis, who had an exclusive deal with HBO, knocked out ex-champ Mike Tyson, who was with Showtime. That bout, on June 8 of that year, held the biggest PPV event at the time. The upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao bout should hold big, BIG numbers as well.
The Sports programmers for the respective networks had the following statements. “Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen,” Stephen Espinoza, EVP & General Manager of Showtime Sports, said, “Now, for the second time under his current deal with Showtime Networks, Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight an opponent that many people thought he’d never face.” HBO Sports President Ken Hershman stated that “Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather have been the two most prominent fighters in the sport of boxing for the past decade, and fight fans around the world have been clamoring for them to face each other. May 2nd will be a signature moment for the sport of boxing, and HBO Sports is thrilled to be a part of this spectacular event.”
Now if there is a sports fan out there who is going to watch this epic bout and who wants to cover this bout for HBOWatch that would be awesome. Inquire Here.
(Source: Deadline)
