Is PBC boxing’s UFC?

Photo by Herbert Diaz

By Edgar Gomez

The formation of Premier Boxing Champions has been met by critics as a business plan that probably won’t work and after $140,000,000 has been spent, it’s very possible the critics are wrong.

Boxing promoters have always been concerned with one off events while industry leaders have been concerned with seasons and/or an on going storyline.

The success of promoters such as Don King wasn’t just the ability to promote.  There always has been the storyline of the combatants like Mike Tyson, “the baddest man on the planet” and Tito Trinidad with the Puerto Rico versus Mexico rivalry. This list goes on and on.

In today’s boxing world, the story lines are few and far between and are not consistent unless you are following the sports biggest star Floyd Mayweather who is an incredible talent that some fans love while some tune in to see him lose.

There aren’t many people in any business that have successfully positioned themselves to be needed and become the leader in their industry. This has been tried by many and very few have had success.

The few that have succeeded became the leader in their space. When you think mixed martial arts you think of the UFC. That thinking has allowed Dana White to control MMA and in boxing the name you think of is Mayweather.

As Mayweather ‘s advisor, Al Haymon has been able to sign the majority of elite fighters which in turn allows him to control the boxing real estate that Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy controlled previously.

This control becomes extremely powerful for several reasons. Advertising fees, site fees, and television revenue are controlled by content.

When Mayweather fights the advertisement revenue is great because of the number of views. The same can be said with the Superbowl, World Cup, Westlemania and the UFC which have all surpassed billion dollars values except the PBC which if it can maintain it’s real estate in the space, can prove in time that it may be a wise investment. MGM invested in Mayweather and the night of Pacquiao vs Mayweather paid ten fold. The Hard Rock will always have UFC but let’s think what does the casino business become without combat sports. Non-televised fights bring the casinos down a notch which makes them second to the venues with the elite events.

This is good for the casinos that are able to secure these events. This is great for the superstars and better for the success of the sport. It’s supply and demand.

The days of the small promoter without a superstar or without TV will be few and far between.

The importance of leagues like Belator and reality television shows with live events like UFC and boxing shows like Knockout become needed because the reality is that organized sports like the NBA, NFL. MLB, etc. come at a premium and that is the direction boxing seems to be headed.