Is Golden Boy vs. Affliction Back on for January 24th?

by Luke Thomas on Nov 25, 2008 10:22 AM EST in News Comment 41 comments

Notifight reported earlier that HBO came back with a bigger offer on Friday, and now the previously propsed and shot down Antonio Margarito-Shane Mosley fight could be back on for January 24. Margarito and team are said to be agreeable to the new terms.

Now, well-known scribe Robert Morales says at BoxingScene.com that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has told him that it's a done deal. Morales reports that Shane Mosley and Golden Boy have signed off on the deal, and we're only awaiting Antonio Margarito's signature now, which will come soon. Problem is, we were only awaiting Margarito's signature before, so not to say I'm doubting, buuuut...well, I'll believe it when he's signed it.

I know I was lambasted for suggesting Affliction had no chance to compete with the UFC after their inaugural event, but I seem to notice more and more folks finding that position not so wild after all. Admittedly, my first concerns centered on the specifics of the Affliction MMA product and how exclusively it catered to a narrow demographic. Yet, when we factor those concerns with the structural impediments like the potential problem described above, the economic recession, the position between two major UFC PPV cards, lack of fan awareness, brand identity related to MMA, etc. is there anyone who would like to tell me that the UFC really has a competitor on their hands? And that question is extended to some of the veteran MMA journalists who cosigned on that buffoonery.

0 recs | Comment 41 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

WEC 38 is on the same day as the Affliction event also…guess where it’s being held….California…it’s a wrap for Affliction. I wrote about it earlier this morning.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 25, 2008 10:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I read the story at Fiveouncesofpain…but they said the fight was back on…but they DID NOT give a date. In another very recent interview shortly after the Beard incident, Atencio stated that Golden Boy would produce the event.
For know, one might assume that the fight is on, but perhaps NOT on the 24th.

I simply want good fights, this blood lust for the failure of fight organizations seems to be somewhat addictive for certain fans.

Wags

by DocWagner on Nov 25, 2008 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That’s what motivates me: blood lust.

/sarcasm

by Luke Thomas on Nov 25, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

reality is not blood lust…

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would say reality is a blood lust.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Nov 25, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course you would. You wrote “Les Fleurs du Mal”.

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Nov 25, 2008 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And a lot of were hopeful other major MMA organizations would prosper, but absurd formats with too little too late tweaks (IFL) followed by financial mismanagement and malfeasance (EXC) sort of skews my view.

You’ll notice that most MMA fans are very supportive of the local or regional shows in their area as well as Strikeforce. We also want many of the Japanese organizations to succeed. It’s demonstrably false that because we are critical of the inept and corrupt that we are vampires out for blood.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 25, 2008 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There seems to be a deep sentiment on MMA sites that fans should support every organization just for the sake of business competition and that just isn’t how things work. Fans shouldn’t support sub par companies just because they think the UFC needs competition, we deserve better and if a organization can’t survive without some kind of pity support based on them not being Zuffa then they aren’t actually helping the sport. The IFL, WFA, EliteXC and now Affliction aren’t dying because of the big bad UFC or because there isn’t room for competition they are dying due to their own ineptness. Heck these huge pathetic failures are actually going to scare investors away and might keep us from having a competent number two organization in the future. For me it’s not bloodlust it’s wanting to get the pathetic flops out of the way in hopes that a competent business will one day take their place.

by who me on Nov 25, 2008 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

good poinst there “who me”about how all the hard core fans should have some pity and support these sub par orgs no matter how the act or the shows they put on. and that is just not the case or should it be.

by Shocbomb on Nov 25, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As for the FiveOuncesofPain article,

they said the fight was back on…but they DID NOT give a date.

According to a report by ESPN boxing reporter Dan Rafael, promoters spent the better part of Monday attempting to save the deal with Mosley and Margarito are now expected to face each other on Jan. 24 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

by Eugene Schelfaut on Nov 25, 2008 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would you rather have utterly stupid discussions about how the UFC “needs to adapt management” from a $10 blog (mmapayout)…

Think about it…

Not only is the UFC the sole org that is making it where all others have failed but has become a billion dollar empire “needs to adapt management”. So says the genius with a $10 blog (mmapayout).

Where’s the common sense?

Is Dana overworked overstressed sometimes? sure…

Is he crazy sometimes? sure…

But, it’s that exact craziness that made this thing work and continues to make this thing work.

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

MMAPayout

Wow, you really don’t like them.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 25, 2008 11:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s like 5 year olds trying to talk about adult issues…

Hey I want competition for Zuffa also… The more Zuffa sweats the more I get paid – but I’m not going to throw out logic and common sense so I can create a “mythical” world around me which tries to skew things.

That’s a disservice to the industry and anyone actually trying to make money in it.

In their defense I have no idea if they are knowingly ignorant or fanboy ignorant.

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 11:33 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He’s not the only one.

by cyph on Nov 25, 2008 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes they’re ok, but they often slant way into the anti-Zuffa territory that it makes me take everything else they say with a grain of salt.

by Phildo on Nov 25, 2008 11:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s their problem. If they do straight business reporting, it’s quite informative. That’s their niche. But when they get into opinion pieces, there seems to be a tinge of resentment for some reason. Some of these guys are supposedly working in the industry so I wonder if Zuffa shafted them in another life.

by cyph on Nov 25, 2008 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Their business reporting is copy and paste from other sites… primarily from meltzer.

Their opinions are like what you would find from some 13 year old geek who masturbates twice a day trolling on sherdog.

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you have an ex ifl or ex. proelite guy….

That probably says it all.

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mmapayout

somebody from mmapayout just became a part of WAMMA. that pretty much sums them up for me.

by bdw on Nov 25, 2008 11:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Caplan might be on their ranking committee, but don’t hold me to that.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 25, 2008 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he is.

by bdw on Nov 25, 2008 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Saying an org is going to fail does not equal blood lust.

by Phildo on Nov 25, 2008 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Affliction could opt out of doing any type of main stream advertising and they would still get 90% of the people who would buy it regardless.

Not a very good ceiling.

by mmalogic on Nov 25, 2008 10:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

ESPN has it front page that the fight is back on for Jan. 24.

As for Affliction, I don’t see it as being that they can compete with the UFC, but with a restructured business model, I think they could survive now that EXC is gone. I always felt it was more like EXC and Affliction competing for a number 2 spot, while UFC is easily 1. Unfortunately, I think Affliction is just happy to run a 2nd or 3rd show and then fold or sell off.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Nov 25, 2008 11:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i was surprised when i 1rst heard about this, but what shocked me was when it was reported that Affliction/Goldenboy would be using Showtimes ppv. Goldenboy is synonymous with HBO and for them to promote an mma ppv for Showtime and then promote a live boxing event for HBO boggles this former boxing afficenado’s mind.

by bdw on Nov 25, 2008 11:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know why people keep saying this, Golden boy is not exclusive to HBO, they’ve done stuff with showtime in the past.

by Phildo on Nov 25, 2008 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Goddamn it! How is a viable competitor to the UFC ever going to have a shot! It doesn’t matter who has the best fights at all, does it? Fedor/Arlovski has awesome potential, as does a possible Werdum/Barnett fight. The only answer: Strikeforce. I really hope they go (inter)national when the economy turns around!

by Drewplata on Nov 25, 2008 12:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If it was all about having the best fighters bar none, the UFC would still win, because they’d pay more for the best fighters.

Affliction having Fedor, Arlovski, Sylvia, Lindland and so forth isn’t some major coup. They have them because they were willing to overpay for what those fighters brought to the table, and the UFC wasn’t.

by Michaelthebox on Nov 25, 2008 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Yep^

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 25, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"The only answer: Strikeforce. I really hope they go (inter)national when the economy turns around!"

i agree they have the most potential to compete with the ufc, but they need to proceed as-is (baby steps) and not rush into anything. that’s what killed (or is killing) all their predecessors… trying to do too much too fast. if they keep growing at a rate within their means, and get a logical deal from NBC to televise their shows, or add a carano-led women’s division, then i think it’s possible in a couple YEARS. what’s the hurry, anyway. it took the ufc over a decade to get where they are today.

however, if they eventually become the only competition for the ufc (after the eventual collapse of affliction), i wonder how long zuffa will maintain their cordial attitude towards them.

this is of course, all hypothetical, but i think slow and ready over rapid expansion, should be their objective.

by woooburn on Nov 25, 2008 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

slow and steady, rather

by woooburn on Nov 25, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as they never openly challenge the UFC they would be fine.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Nov 25, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Standard competition is healthy.

Zuffa has done everything but send money into Strikeforce’s checking account up to this point. All the positive PR that Dana gives them, at seemingly any available opportunity, is a serious boon to their brand.

But if Strikeforce got big enough to actually compete with UFC, I don’t think that would change all that much. Counter-programming, contract negotiations with their stars, and other standard business competition methods would be employed, but you don’t have to hate your opponent in order to win.

And really, what everyone here wants is viable competition for Zuffa. Not a Zuffa-slayer. Just enough opposing leverage to keep them honest, and that’s what a half dozen Strikeforce’s could do.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Nov 25, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that there are a lot of people who are looking for a Zuffa-slayer on many of the other MMA sites and boards. They latch on to every fly by night operation that comes down the pipe in the hopes they will avenge Pride and slay the evil UFC beast. There are also a lot of people who are really hung up on the whole “all monopolies are 100% evil” angle and that dominates their reasoning for supporting sub par companies. For too many people their support for other orgs is too involved in the other org not being the UFC. I enjoy talking about the business of MMA but when it comes right down to it I am a fan of the sport not the business, offer me a quality product and I’m going to watch regardless of who is presenting it.

What is good about Strikeforce is that for the most part they present a good product and they seem to really have a handle on how to survive and prosper as a fight promotion not that they may offer the UFC some kind of competition in the future. Heck I like Strikeforce because I like Strikeforce not because of who else is in the industry or what they may do in the future. Strikeforce is entertaining and sustainable long term and that is what is most important not that they are a UFC alternative.

by who me on Nov 25, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I apologize, as I read the article first thing this morning, I did not see a date mentioned…my eyes prove deceptive and I stand corrected.

But, one has to wonder is the HBO fight truly competition for Affliction, sure, it does not help, but will it prove fatal…I don’t think so.

As for the terminology of “blood lust”…it is true in nearly fashion, MMA fans, and people in general THRIVE on predicting the demise of anyone or anything…it is as American as apple pie and certainly not new.
Look at the news, the continuous discussion about “recession vs depression” is never ending and a self-fulfilling prophecy…it is in our nature to be the herald of news that sets us into a tizzy.

Wags

by DocWagner on Nov 25, 2008 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You know… fuck it, I’ll just grab a beer, sit back and watch another potential competitor eat shit. That’s what happens when the proud challenge the throne.

by subo on Nov 25, 2008 1:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm Confused

The article states HBO will go ahead and book the Margarito vs Mosely fight but the commentary say’s maybe I was wrong about Affliction’s dire chance of survival?

I know this may sound strange but I think it might be better if HBO competes against Affliction on Jan 24th and they both fail. HBO Boxing has been getting it’s head kicked in and another bad showing may be the final straw forcing them to switch things up. I could see HBO re-inventing itself with a mixed boxing / mma card. Probably would only feature headline MMA bouts but looking at the MMA landscape it’s probably all that could be supported.

by bignerd on Nov 25, 2008 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I doubt HBO would do a mixed card.

Golden Boy seems very down on that idea after the reaction when they said they would do a mixed card with Affliction.

I don’t know much about boxing promotion and what HBO does on their own, but I really doubt they’d do a mixed card on their own without Golden Boy’s backing.

by Phildo on Nov 25, 2008 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt Golden Boy would do one at all at this point either, it wasn’t a very good idea to start with. It seems like it will take a serious change in HBO sports executive management before we see MMA on HBO in any way shape or form.

by who me on Nov 25, 2008 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, HBO has taken a stance against MMA. However, their boxing empire is on the brink of collapse. One more failure and it’s time for a shakeup.

Co-promoting high notoriety MMA matches could breath life back into their boxing operation. For instance tune into a night of fights: Margarito vs Mosely, Fedor vs Arlovski Jan whatever. HBO wouldn’t have the burden of carrying an entire MMA promotion. They would simply cherry pick headline fights to compliment their boxing.

All the elements are in place. Golden Boy is already knocking the door. A slew of top free agent heavyweights are available on the market. The MMA side isn’t needed to make money at this point, just compliment and boost the boxing. Affliction can sell off their top contracts, slap there sponsorship name on the event , transition and save face. If it works, HBO can let UFC and the other orgs develop the talent. They would simply lure headliners with larger purses and prestige, notoriety of fighting on HBO.

by bignerd on Nov 25, 2008 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

First that really sounds like using the boxing business model for MMA and that would be bad for the sport in the long run. Second both boxing and MMA fans were very critical of mixing the two sports on one event for a lot of reasons, that’s why Golden Boy all but abandoned the idea already. HBO may one day have MMA events on their channel but I really doubt we will ever see them push a mixed card event.

by who me on Nov 25, 2008 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs