Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and HBO execs yesterday reached an agreement that will see Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz "fight under the banner of HBO PPV in their Sept. 17 showdown," according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com. The fight will "gain wider exposure than just on HBO." Schaefer said that the reality series "24/7," which "follows the buildup of major HBO PPV fights, will be replayed on one of the Turner networks," and the "most likely would be TNT, TBS or truTV." Schaefer: "What we wanted to do is ensure that all the different Time Warner (HBO's parent company) assets will be in play one way or the other, including the Turner Broadcasting assets and the Time Inc. assets, which is their magazines." Rafael wrote the deal for the fight, which will be entitled "Star Power," is a "significant development for HBO, which was rocked earlier this year by the loss" of Manny Pacquiao's May 7 fight against Shane Mosley to Showtime. Schaefer: "Do I think HBO was especially motivated to get the biggest and widest exposure? Sure. HBO is very motivated, and Time Warner is very motivated to show the boxing world and public what they can do. I was negotiating with very willing partners" (ESPN.com, 6/22).
LISTENING TO BIDS FOR PACQUIAO: Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole on his Twitter account reported Top Rank Chair Bob Arum expects to receive HBO's proposal to air the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight on Nov. 12 "soon" and he was scheduled to meet with Showtime about it yesterday (TWITTER.com, 6/21). In the Philippines, Roy Luarca reports HBO may "spring a surprise and make a solid bid to air" the fight, but Showtime "has the inside track." Showtime "enjoys the right of first refusal in Pacquiao-Marquez III" after it aired Pacquiao-Mosley. If CBS "throws its full support behind Showtime in the endeavor, then HBO will need to use its persuasive powers and shell out more money to reclaim the broadcast rights" (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, 6/23).
