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Mike Reynolds
It hasn't been the best of times for the pay-per-view industry's boxing events. According to a recent PPV study issued by Showtime Event Television, boxing generated revenues of $54.9 million during the first half of 2000, down 54% from the $120.4 million produced over the similar span in 1999.
But cable and satellite operators have some reason to expect PPV revenue surges over the balance of 2000 and into 2001.
First off, Evander Holyfield will slug it out with Johnny Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship Aug. 12, a contest that will be presented on Showtime but will also be available via SET for $19.95 to those who don't subscribe to the premium service.
TVKO will then take center stage. In the last of a multi-fight deal with TVKO parent Time Warner Sports, light heavyweight Roy Jones Jr. will defend his crown against the undefeated Eric Harding Sept. 9.
From there, Time Warner Sports SVP Mark Taffet says the PPV programmer hopes to bring heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis into the ring versus David Tua Nov. 11. TWS also hopes to showcase Felix Trinidad in an intriguing junior middleweight title with Fernando Vargas Dec. 2.
And then there are the rumors that SET will pit Mike Tyson against Andrew Gollotta.
Despite the likelihood of increased second-half activity, the industry will have a tough time matching up with second-half revenues from 1999. Last September, Oscar De La Hoya-Trinidad produced $64 million, while the Lewis/Holyfield heavyweight unification rematch in November generated more than $43 million.
But bigger fights should take shape in 2001. The industry is awaiting a rematch of Shane Mosley/De La Hoya, which is likely to unfold in January.
If Iron Mike's latest comeback continues on the right track - and he can keep himself out of trouble - a third Tyson/Holyfield match (earwear optional) or a Lewis/Tyson encounter would pack quite the PPV wallop. For the latter, TVKO and SET would have to iron out telecast rights. SET EVP Mark Greenberg, citing the network's stepping back to pave the way for Holyfield/Lewis, is hopeful the fight would end up in its camp. "We think it's our turn," he says.
While PPV boxing budgets should boom over the next year or so, there are longer-term concerns. Clearly, the careers of big-time bread-winners Holyfield and Tyson are winding down. Meanwhile, Lewis, despite his chiseled physique, intelligence and ring skills, has yet to cotton with the mainstream sports community. What PPV heat he can generate on his own has yet to be fully determined.
In the lower weight classes, the world still revolves around Oscar. However, De La Hoya was ruminating retirement after his loss to Mosley. Since then, the Golden Boy has changed his tune and seems ready to grab some more green. A victory against Mosley could also feed into a second-go with Trinidad.
While better times may lie ahead for boxing, the industry should seize the moment - because the sweet science's future prospects might not be so sweet.
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