The teams for Vasyl Lomachenko and Jorge Linares have been locked in negotiations over a potential showdown in May.
However, the sticking point to coming to an agreement has been over a date.
The date that has been floated around for that clash is September 12th. However, Golden Boy and HBO do not want that date as it would conflict with the replay of their biggest show of the year in the form of Canelo vs Golovkin II.
Looking forward to getting back to work! pic.twitter.com/yBG8g0e231
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) February 13, 2018
Top Rank mogul, Bob Arum, however, has shared that it would make more sense for that fight to take place on ESPN as it would reach a wider audience.
It should be noted, however, that HBO has a right to match any offer for the contractual rights to Linares’ next fight.
“HBO is a very, very small network. It gets a limited number of viewers,” Arum said.
“ESPN, because it’s free, has a potential audience of more than 3x HBO.”
“So to put a good fight on HBO is sort of a waste when we have the ability to put it on a major network like ESPN.”
“It’s time that boxing got out from under the shadows.”
“I mean, the premium networks have been good to boxing but they have limited audiences.”
Really wanted the @JorgeLinares fight. Too bad @GoldenBoyBoxing won’t let it happen. 🤦♂️
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) February 17, 2018
“We need boxing to be seen by the most possible people.”
“That’s over free television,” Arum added during a Reddit chat.
“The plan now is for Vasyl to test the waters at 135.”
Arum did add that if a deal is not able to be reached soon, they will look at the option of taking on the WBO lightweight champion, Ray Beltran instead.
“Hopefully we can get the Linares fight done for May 12th. If that’s not possible, Lomachenko would look to fight [WBO lightweight champion Ray Beltran].”
The WBA lightweight champion, Linares offered his opinion on the deal and says both he and Lomachenko want the fight.
“I do not care about television, I care about the fight,” Linares told Rowerth Goncalves.
“There is talk of a date, on May 12 in New York.”
https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/958731599897489413
“It’s a dream to fight at Madison Square Garden. The main detail is the date of the fight and the television network.”
“Lomachenko wants it, I want it and the promoters want it – the problem is the day.”
“It’s about the opportunity and how you are physically and mentally ready,” said Linares.
“I love fighting with lefties, they do not frustrate me. I am confident in defeating him. I have already beaten lefties. Why not this time?”
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