Bob Arum, boxing promoter, said that during a meeting with HBO executives about a year ago, he brought up Kelly Pavlik in an effort to try to get him a fight on the network.
"They all laughed at me because there is a perception with boxing network guys, with boxing people, that if you are a white guy, you can't fight," Arum said Wednesday during a conference call.
The reply from Ross Greenburg, HBO:
"It is a disgraceful and undignified remark by a disturbed man," Greenburg said of Arum's comments regarding white fighters. "That is pretty much all we have to say. It is sad. This has nothing to do with race." - Read full article.
Can you say promotion?
Comments like that in this day and age are said for a reason -- publicity. Nobody knows that better than Arum, known for stirring up controversy to further his causes. I'm writing about it, other people are writing about it -- I guess it worked. However, did it work to get Kelly Pavlik on HBO anytime in the near future? Your guess is as good as mine. Greenburg said he has no problem putting Pavlik on as an opponent in a big fight -- just nothing has come up yet. Do you think something is in the brewing? It is nonsense to think that HBO would not put Pavlik 27-0 on because he is white. People watch Pavlik, he would be good for business.
I'm a firm believer in the equalizing qualities of boxing. No matter what your background, what color your skin, how much money you make, or where you grew up, once you step into the ring, you are on your own. It is one of the last places on the planet where the better and stronger man wins (taking away any illegal, scandalous activities of course).
Quite frankly it doesn't matter who is in the ring. Either he or she can fight or they can't. Are they good to watch? Would I watch them again? A fight is a fight and if some one armed midget who was half black, half asian, half caucasian (I'm making a point...) kicks the snot out of his opponent, I don't care what he looks like. I just want to see him fight again. A good performance, a good fighter is what drives ratings and attendance. Two of them in the ring together are even better.
So, when HBO or Arum find the right mix and right mix contains Pavlik, then Kelly Pavlik, white man, will be on HBO.
Kudos to Arum, though, at least he knows how to promote. Any publicity is good publicity, right? Thoughts/opinions?
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