Greenburg’s HBO resignation sure to have impact on boxing
There had been speculation for several months that Ross Greenburg was going to leave HBO as president of the cable network’s sports division. But his announcement on Monday that he was not going to renew his contract and resign, shook the boxing world.
Top Rank president Todd duBoef, whose company has had an up-and-down relationship with Greenburg over the years, said of his departure: “I don’t have a crystal ball. I don’t know if Ross’ leaving is a positive or a negative for boxing.”
New Jersey-based promoter Gary Shaw agreed.
“I think that story has yet to be told,” he said. “You have to see who replaces him and what direction that person wants to go. But Ross was a great TV guy. I can’t speak for how he ran boxing at HBO. But I respect Ross, and I’m sorry to see him leave.”
As president of HBO Sports, Greenburg, 56, wielded considerable clout in boxing. He helped grow the pay-per-view industry and launched the reality series “24/7” to support those pay-per-view endeavors. He also started the network’s “Boxing After Dark” series.
His biggest moment in boxing came in 2007 when HBO Pay Per View televised Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s split decision over Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand Garden. That fight set a record for buys with 2.4 million, and it also made Mayweather a superstar.
Greenburg recently signed a deal with Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions to televise his Sept. 17 fight against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz from the MGM on HBO Pay Per View.
But he was unable to keep Manny Pacquiao, regarded as the sport’s best fighter, on his network. When HBO lost the Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight to Showtime in May, it was a big blow for Greenburg. The pressure of trying to put together good fights along with trying to work with promoters might have taken its toll.
Greenburg had not been involved with negotiations with Top Rank to bring Pacquiao back to HBO for his Nov. 12 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden. DuBoef has been dealing with HBO programming president Michael Lombardo and co-president Richard Plepler.
DuBoef said he is convinced HBO remains committed to boxing.
“From the dialogue I’ve had, I’m encouraged by their commitment to the sport,” duBoef said.
DuBoef, who also has been in negotiations with Showtime, said he hoped to have a decision by early August on a pay-per-view partner for Pacquiao-Marquez III.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.