Low Offer From HBO Puts Pavlik-Sturm Fight Into Jeopardy

Proposed Bout Featuring Sturm In "Serious Doubt" After HBO's Offer

A proposed middleweight unification bout between boxers Kelly Pavlik and Felix Sturm is in "serious doubt," as HBO is "only offering $2[M] for the fight," according to sources cited by Rick Reeno of BOXINGSCENE.com. By comparison, the net paid $3.5M for the Chad Dawson-Antonio Tarver fight on May 9. Sources said that Showtime is interested in Pavlik-Sturm, but there are "obvious concerns over the network's ability to offer enough money to make the fight happen." Reeno wrote the situation is a "shadow of a much bigger problem in the sport," as too many promoters are "completely dependent on the television networks." Reeno: "The promoters have given networks like HBO too much power. And because of this power, HBO has basically become more of a promoter than a network." Meanwhile, Reeno noted Top Rank is "one of the few promotional companies who don't fully depend on the networks." When a net like HBO "shows no interest, Top Rank does not change their plan of action," as instead they "create their own pay-per-view events" (BOXINGSCENE.com, 6/28). BADLEFTHOOK.com wrote the "trouble with HBO's low offer is that someone has to pay the fighters, and without a better money deal from the network (Showtime is unlikely to be able to offer anything better), that'll be hard to do" (BADLEFTHOOK.com, 6/28).