Bad Left Hook, Global Boxing News and Commentary

Executive vice president of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza reflects on the final year of Strikeforce's lifespan, Showtime's "awkward" relationship with Zuffa, and the future of MMA on the network.

Showtime doesn't have HBO's resources, but they exploited a strong relationship between new head man Stephen Espinoza and Golden Boy Promotions to have a big year with star names and expanded coverage, making them the 2012 TV Network of the Year.

While the UFC's move to FOX and all of its ramifications was the biggest change in MMA in 2012, we take a look at the year's biggest stories.

Stephen Espinoza has had success, some failures, and plenty of criticism in his first year running Showtime Sports. But is the network's boxing brand better now than it was a year ago? You bet.

Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno met up today in Los Angeles to announce their November 10 Showtime main event at the Staples Center, with Alfredo Angulo and Leo Santa Cruz also discussing their undercard bouts.

Amir Khan's fight with Carlos Molina is likely headed for a December 15 date on Showtime, where it would headline a big, three-channel boxing extravaganza from Golden Boy and CBS.

Miguel Cotto will face Austin Trout on December 1 at Madison Square Garden, and the two fighters hit NYC for a press conference today.

Devon Alexander and Randall Bailey are part of Golden Boy and Showtime's big Barclays Center card on October 20, and are thrilled to be part of the event.

Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer have teamed with Showtime and CBS to schedule a pair of shows featuring Olympians who turn pro after this year's games. Bad Left Hook has more.

Bad Left Hook looks at the HBO vs Showtime boxing battle in 2012. Who's got the lead right now, and who has the juice going forward?