EDITOR’S LETTER
Some good ghts approaching but they all come at extra cost
The danger of PPV oversaturation
IF you’re a diehard boxing fan then 2018 is shaping up to be an expensive year. From January to August, there were seven payper-view events to add to the monthly subscription fees that came out of your account each month.
And from September to December alone, there could be a further 12 Box Office attractions to strip your Christmas funds. And while 20 pay-per-view events a year might show how attractive the sport is, I suspect most fans would say one every two-and-a-half weeks is too many. Or just plain greedy. Or short-sighted. Or unreasonable. Or all of the above. Truth is, the only things fans can to do object is not buy them in the first place.
Granted, the likes of Anthony Joshua vs Alexander Povetkin, Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury and Gennady Golovkin vs Canelo Alvarez are worthy of the platform. Indeed, I’m sure in the current climate, fight fans now accustomed to this age of expense won’t grumble too much about five or six marquee events per year, maybe even a few more, commanding extra cash.
But things have changed over the last year. Contests that not so long ago would have been deemed excellent chief-supports to the blockbuster showdowns are taking centre stage themselves. While I don’t doubt that Dillian Whyte-dereck Chisora II will be an exciting fight, is it really worthy of box office? Some would argue it is because people will pay extra for it, and I take their point. But a case can be made to keep scraps like this on the undercard of elite attractions to ensure value for money is always there and repeat business is assured. Even without the benefit of hindsight, Joshua’s recent undercard highlighted the dilution of quality.
Sky Sports and Matchroom are not necessarily the ones to blame here, although they have certainly created the trend. Few could argue that the majority of their Box Office productions in recent years have been excellent, but the fear is we’re going to reach saturation point in the middle of a golden age.
The problem, or the consumer’s problem, is that several other UK broadcasters have been quick to notice the short-term potential. But the likes of ITV Box Office should take heed. Think about their offerings this year. Yes, George Groves-chris Eubank Jnr and Oleksandr Usyk-murat Gassiev were arguably worthy of the extra cash but the undercards were almost non-existent. Some might say such events should be judged on the main event alone, and I understand that to a point too, but for people who view the extra outlay as something of a luxury purchase, the whole experience should be treated as such.
BT Sport, who are in a strong position in the market, have joined in too. And while nobody will object to Canelo vs GGG and Wilder vs Fury being box office, Josh Warrington vs Carl Frampton – a bona fide moneyspinner at the gate – might be a difficult sell three nights before Christmas. Furthermore, should Sky Sports and co stage the aforementioned Chisorawhyte II event on the same night, which is being rumoured, the whole situation becomes totally ridiculous. Boxing fans become the biggest victims in a public yet personal business war. But business is business, don’t forget.
Some reports suggest Amir Khan and Kell Brook could be set for a December barnburner. ITV are plotting James Degale vs Chris Eubank Jnr in the same month. Alvarez is set to return and there’s increasing noise about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao renewing their rivalry. Merry bloomin’ Christmas.
But the flipside. Should we complain too much when the fights we want to see are getting made? Do we rant and rave and expect promoters and broadcasters to give us the best stuff for free?
Problem is, the good fights often become bad fights. Promoters can’t legislate for that of course, but broadcasters should be aware of how perilous this market place can become.