It was a slightly awkward moment between media members and the handlers for Deontay Wilder, whose May 21 title defense versus Alexander Povetkin is still without a major U.S. television outlet.
The likelihood is that Showtime will eventually secure exclusive stateside rights and will air as part of its special Saturday matinee Showtime Boxing International series. Unfortunately, the network was not in a position to make that announcement at the time of a scheduled media conference call with the reigning heavyweight titlist on Wednesday.
“We are finalizing a deal with World of Boxing (Povetkin’s promoter) to secure rights to the fight,” Chris DeBlasio, vice president of sports communications for Showtime Sports updated the assembled media. “Showtime is committed to showcasing the best heavyweight fights in the world. Deontay Wilder is helping to lead the renaissance.”
Wilder (36-0, 35KOs) will make the fourth defense of the heavyweight belt he acquired in a lopsided 12-round win over Bermane Stiverne just 16 months ago in Las Vegas, which aired live on Showtime. The bout remains his most significant win to date, as well as the only fight of his pro career to go to the scorecards.
Three successful defenses have followed, including a chilling 9th round knockout of Artur Szpilka this past January in front of a sold-out crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Among those in attendance for the Showtime-televised event were Povetkin (30-1, 22KOs) and promoter Andriy Ryabinsky, who immediately thereafter began negotiations Wilder and his promoter, Lou DiBella.
Talks lasted just over a month, only for Povetkin’s side to ultimately force a purse bid. Ryabinksy’s World of Boxing claimed the right to promote the event, outbidding DiBella – the event’s lone other bidder – by more than $2 million.
With that comes a watershed moment – Wilder will become the first ever heavyweight titlist from the U.S. to defend his crown in Russia, with the bout taking place at the Megasport Arena in Moscow.
The hope is that the moment will be captured in some medium for stateside boxing fans, without having to go to drastic (and illegal) measures to view the event. For now, event handlers have proven to be a difficult lot with which to negotiate. While their approach made sense in getting the fight to Russia, it would be in everyone's best interest to maximize worldwide coverage.
The brass at Showtime is certainly ready to make that happen. Securing U.S. rights will give the network its fifth scheduled heavyweight title fight within the first six months of 2016. All that remains is a nod of approval from the other side of the table.
“Our commitment has never been more evident than with this roster of fights we have in the coming months,” DeBlasio pointed out of Showtime’s first half schedule. “Our commitment is to showcase the fight on May 21 and we hope to have an announcement very soon.”
Article courtesy of Jake Donovan (Boxing Scene)
