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B.A.D. Looks to the Future

By Steve Kim

 

After a stretch that has been highlighted by big names, exorbitant license fees and mediocre ratings, this weekend HBO showcases a triple-header at the Terrible's Primm Valley Casino on the state line of Nevada that has highly touted Cuban jr. lightweight Yuriorkis Gamboa facing Darling Jimenez, hard-hitting jr. middleweight Alfredo Angulo facing Richard Gutierrez, and exciting James Kirkland taking on the active Eromosele Albert in another competitive bout in the 154-pound class.

 

In short, it's a vintage 'Boxing After Dark' telecast - young, relatively unknown commodities looking to break through to the next echelon in stern tests.

 

"This, to me, is what 'Boxing After Dark' should be, young fighters in wars, in real fights, testing them," said Gary Shaw, who's promoting this event.

 

Unlike many shows that rely on big, recognizable names to carry them, this telecast focuses on the future of the sport. There was a time when this acclaimed series was the greatest springboard to stardom in boxing.

 

"Look, I don't program for any of these networks, and we all have our own ideas of what should be on," said Shaw. "I believe fans want real fights. I don't think it's the name that attracts them; you build an audience by having the right types of fights, like when Barrera first came on, and I think on May 17th the world will be introduced to Kirkland, Angulo and Gamboa in real fights and I think that's what it's all about. I know when I created Shobox, that was the template - put on real fights. It doesn't make a difference if the fans know the names or not.

 

"I think that sometimes the ratings prove it's about the fights and not about the names."

 

In recent weeks, telecasts featuring old standbys such as Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya, have failed to garner big ratings, despite license fees that totaled more than $15 million and a couple more millions in marketing and advertising campaigns.

 

What the results have shown is that perhaps it's time to usher in the new, and jettison the old.

 

"Yeah, of course," agreed Shaw. "They (the networks) get enamored with the names and think that's what it's all about and what they forget is if you don't bring up new talent constantly, then you're in trouble. That's what makes the NFL great. Look, there are people that watch the NFL Draft like it's the Academy Awards. It's because it's all new young guys coming up, new names. The NBA has it and we need to do a much better job, otherwise boxing will die on the vine."

 

While NFL fans are already quite familiar with the likes of Jake Long, Matt Ryan, Darren McFadden and Glen Dorsey, most casual boxing fans most likely don't know Gamboa - a flashy, hard-hitting Cuban who has created a buzz among the hardcore aficionados – or Kirkland, who's built his reputation on a series of exciting outings on ShoBox. Both Gamboa and Kirkland are facing the sternest tests of their professional careers. Darling Jimenez, is a steep upgrade from the protected Marcos Ramirez (the original opponent for

Gamboa) and Albert is a sturdy and active fighter that will grind with Kirkland all night long. And Angulo-Gutierrez is a battle between two bangers that won’t have any difficulty in finding each other.

 

"If there is a sleeper fight, I think it'll be Angulo because I think he's overlooked," said Shaw. "There's a lot of talk about Kirkland and certainly a lot of hype on Gamboa, but I know Angulo has a real pedigree and they don't call him 'Perro' for no reason. And I think he may be the shocker of the night."

 

As famed football coach George Allen once said, "The future is now."