From the late 1880s through the early 2000s, the heavyweight champion was one of the most prestigious titles in sports. It symbolized what the first champ, John L. Sullivan, coined in the statement “I can lick any son of a bitch in the house!”
But those days are far removed from today’s reality. This week, boxing coverage powerhouse network HBO announced that they would no longer cover heavyweight fights due to lack of interest from their American audience.
“’We’re out of the heavyweight division,” said HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg. “There isn’t any interest in the US and no one besides Haye to challenge the Klitschkos.”
The Klitschko brothers have been dominating the heavyweight scene since the retirement of Lennox Lewis in 2003. Since Lamon Brewster’s huge upset 2004 TKO win over Wladimir Klitschko (which was avenged in 2006), the brothers have cut down every single challenger in their path. Even Vitali, who was out of the ring nearly 4 years from 2004-2008 due to injury, easily beat then top American Sam Peter to win the WBC title.
To others, the wane in U.S. support for the heavyweight division has much more to do with the lack of dedication and skill displayed by today’s American fighters.
“The guys today, I don’t think they’re as hungry as the guys in the 90s. I just don’t see it,” explained trainer Ronnie Shields to Beats, Boxing and Mayhem. “Our heavyweights have to get it together and decide I’m going to give it my best and my all. We have a lot talent that can match up with these guys, but no one seems willing to step up.”
There are no Americans fighters like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, or Riddick Bowe on the horizon. So what is the solution?
The void leaves a big opportunity for Showtime to capitalize on. They have shown Klitschko fights in the past, and have proved their creative matchmaking with the recent super-middleweight Super Six tournament. Since David Haye versus either Klitschko has been muddled by contract disputes, the network could try to push for Haye to take on Tomasz Adamek, which would be a fan-friendly, exciting fight between mobile, smaller heavyweights.
It’s not a long-term solution, but it’s a start that could provide a brief spark. I don’t subscribe to the idea that the heavyweight division is in shambles simply because the top fighters are not American. Manny Pacquiao is one of the biggest stars in boxing not due to his nationality, but his exciting style. Any fighter that puts on entertaining bouts will receive fan support. Showtime’s challenge would be putting together compelling matchups outside of the Klitschko’s to create an overall interest in the division.
Whether they’re up to the task is the question.
If you can track down this fight, it’s well worth the time. I consider it the last great heavyweight brawl. Both men were never the same afterward.
Lamon Brewster vs. Sergei Liakhovich
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
I can see HBO’s point, besides Haye there isnt really any mouth watering exciting Heavyweight fights… Or Heavyweight Fighters for that matter
@ Water Ur Seeds
The Ring Top 10 has a 2 young undefeated guys in Povetkin and Boytstov to go along with guys like Adamek and Haye, Granted it’s slim pickings but Showtime doesn’t seem to mind showcasing European fighters. HBO only wants big name stars and right now the heavyweights are far from that.
@ Ishmael
Being in UK they show all the European fights over here… And they do good numbers amongst the fight fans, and are great entertainment… Ive seen Povetkin fight A few times, but Ive still not seen Boystov fight… HBO seem to only want World Class big named American Heavyweights… I always said I wish America would show more UK and Euro fights… Then again I wish UK would show more domestic American fights to though, its A nightmare finding USA domestic fights sometimes
@waterurseeds
i can see hbos point too.nobodys really following heavyweight boxing anymore.i been a boxing fan as long as i can remember but there just arent any heavyweights worth watching anymore.soon as i start liking a guy he gets knocked out.
i would like to see some of those uk fighters more often.i mean it couldnt be worse than the american heavyweights.shit nothing could be worse than american heavyweights rght now.guess ill just keep waitin for the next tyson to come arond.
@ baynig4sho
wsup man, seems like its mainly eastern europeans in the heavyweight division these days dont it??? i guess because they still live in hard times over there, like valuve training in an old no thrills military style block with a grimy canteen for the haye fight, it looked like an old 80s army barracks lol kids these days in usa and uk rather choose football, soccer and basketball to make it out, rather then boxing like they used to… these eastern europeans are so huge they are bound to win fights and reach the top level, they have the hunger off what the american fighters did back in pre 94 when the ghettos where at their worse with drugs and poverty and boxing was one way out… now the kids are to pampered, and have brand new facilaltys and get money thrown at them and lose the hunger… seems like the huge eastern europeans take advantage of their size and make boxing the main sport to get out their poverty stricken areas… fair play
saying that the domestic uk heavyweight scene looks healthy, haye, tyson fury, chisora, sexton, larry olubamiwo, tom dallas etc… hopefully we may have few world champs in the future… even albert sosnowski fights outta england
i defo think its worth america picking up some of our fighters and showing some coverage… espec as if looks we may do some big things in the future…
@water ur seeds
good point homie !boxing is a hungry sport and americans just arent hungry anymore.