Fox Sports Media Group And Golden Boy Reach An Agreement

It seems that Golden Boy Promotions and the Fox Sports Media Group have reached a long-term agreement regarding airing a number of live fights each year. It seems that most of these live fights would be either Solo Boxeo or Club Nokia events, but more boxing on TV is always a good thing. It seems that Fox will also start airing some classic fights from Oscar, Bernard, Morales, and Marco Antonio Berrera.

During the first year of the partnership, FOX Deportes is scheduled to air a total of 44 live events originating in both the United States and Mexico; for every year thereafter, the network airs 36 live events. In addition, FSMG [Fox Sports Media Group] networks gain access to classic fights from the Golden Boy fight library which features fights of past and current world champions such as Oscar de la Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.

The real question here is what is going to happen with Top Rank. Top Rank Live has previously aired on Fox Deportes, does the new agreement with Golden Boy preclude Fox from airing these shows? I really hope not, but it seems like the next step in the cold war between Golden Boy and Top Rank. Golden Boy has lined up with a network and I would bet that Top Rank will align itself with another network like NBC or CBS.

If Top Rank does sign a similar deal with another network, then it essentially guarantees that a Top Rank prospect will never fight a Golden Boy prospect for at least the next couple of years. There will not only be promotional pressure but also pressure from the networks to keep giving younger prospects showcase fights, which is not a good thing for the fans. Do you guys think that this type of deal is good or bad for the fans?