RSSHBO Backs Out of Jones-Manfredo; Showtime, ESPN Interested
ESPN is reporting that HBO has backed out and will not offer to televise the possible bout between Roy Jones Jr. and Peter Manfredo Jr.
After discussions with Manfredo’s promotional group - the same group that operates The Contender reality TV show - HBO decided that they were no longer interested in televising the event. I think it’s a good chance that HBO didn’t want to have to deal with all of The Contender references that would come along with having Manfredo as one of their fighters.
Two possibilties remain: Showtime and ESPN
Jones’ advisor Jim Thomas had a statement on why HBO decided not to pursue the bout…
They weren’t sure if they could afford Roy on the show,” Thomas told ESPN.com. “We were still dickering over Roy’s participation in the upside, but the guarantee was set. The money was what Roy had sent me out to get and we were happy with the deal, but then this HBO thing happened. So we’re talking to Showtime to see if it is something we can still do.”
It makes sense, but I’m sure that The Contender also had something to do with the decision.
Just in case the Manfredo fight never develops, Jones Jr. has a backup plan that we have already reported...
Jones’ advisor, Jim Thomas has stated that if victorious against Manfredo or whoever his opponent is this winter, he would then challenge Clinton Woods for his light-heavyweight strap.
It’s very smart to become involved in other discussions because a fight always has the possibility of falling through, even at the last minute when it becomes unthinkable. Manfredo’s camp hasn’t even made a statement on Jones’ challenge to my knowledge yet either. What if Manfredo says that he’s not ready for Roy?
“Ideally, Roy could fight Manfredo in January and then do the Clinton Woods fight on Showtime a few months later,” Jim Thomas has said.
If everything works out, the above would be exactly what would happen, providing that Jones is victorious against Manfredo. I don’t believe that Woods-Jones Jr. can happen on the original date in March, especially if the Manfredo fight happens on January 20th.
Woods-Jones Jr. II would happen at the ideal time to have a rematch between the two - Jones would be coming off his second straight victory; Woods would have a shot at avenging his 2002 loss to Jones Jr and defend his title…
Broadcasters • ESPN • HBO • Showtime • Movies/TV • The Contender • Light Heavyweight • Middleweight • Clinton Woods • Peter Manfredo Jr • Roy Jones Jr
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