First of all, I'd like to apologize for sounding like a noob. I come as more of a follower of MMA then of Boxing, but I'm learning the game. If I do make some mistakes, feel free to correct me. Thank you.

While I am hyped for the upcoming match between Oscar and Manny, I can't help but feel that a lot of people will feel guilty spending $55 for something that might end in a couple minutes. In tough times like this, that's a lot of money. While Oscar does offer a rebate plan to recover most of that money, it's almost a joke seeing as you have to spend more money in order to get the rebate coupons. HBO doesn't offer any comfort either as the plan is to show the usual two fight card.

Here are some ideas I'd like to share which will not only help make the card worth while, but will make consumers come back for more cards and make promoters happy.

1. It's The Math Stupid.

If HBO is going to seriously go through with their usual two fight format, they are seriously gyping the consumer bad. Some people might not know it right now, but a lot of people have their internal calculators running overtime right now. If they hand over $55 bucks for two fights, they know their paying $27.50 per fight that could end at any time. This does not feel right. How can this be aleveated? Well, by using Mr. Christ's guide the Ortiz/Resto fight should be put on the PPV along with the two main fights. The reasons are simple. You're giving and up and coming fighter more exposure to those who aren't familar with them and helping grow his fanbase. You're also making the PPV seem like a more better deal by taking the price from $27.50 to $18.33 per fight. Sure, it's still a bit steep, but it at least looks more reasonable.

2. Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

Y'know, this might be the MMA side of me coming out, but if it's going to take five minutes or more to analyze a fight in the middle of the card, you're either overanalyzing the fight or you're BSing. I know that Lampley, Stewart and Merchant/Kellerman want to create some kind of drama for the fights. I'm cool with that, but that can be done before or after the card. You can build the drama setting up the match before the card starts. In between fights however, you got to keep it simple. Use at least two minutes and then get to the fight. The only time five minutes can be wasted properly is if there is a one on one live with either the fighters of the headline bout or fighters of the upcoming card next month. Doing all this will save more time for fights and will help start fan followings for up and coming fighters so that when they do have their time in the sun, instead of having people say "Who?", you'll have them say "Dude! I know that guy! He looked real good in his last fight!" Now, I know there will be times where everyone does everything right, but there still is a bit more time left and we can't have dead air. What haapens then? Easy!

3. Let The Fighters Talk About Themselves.

It's great that Lampley, Stewart and Merchant/Kellerman know that these guys have the passion and the will to become boxers,but it's kinda hard to make that connection when it's coming from second hand sources. Now don't get me wrong. The 24/7 format is a huge step in the right direction and should continue to make strides. On the other hand, it does leave the undercard stranded. Johnny Off The Block isn't going to see two up and coming technical masters in the ring when he starts tuning in. He's going to look at them like two guys paid to get the crowd warmed up. Not going to give two knuckle cracks about them. Now, if you have them sit down and talk about their match and possibly show some fight footage of either competitor while they talk about their match, even if Johnny doesn't understand their style fighting, he can still connect with the passion or understand why a fighter is fighting. This is a decent stepping stone to help casuals get interested in the match.

If HBO follows these points and they do it enough times, I think they can create a steady growing fan base and get casuals more interested in the sport. Most of all, it'll make this card feel like it's worth the money.