“The Pay-Per-View Is So Expensive Now”: Blaming Christmas Season, Bob Arum Defends Devin Haney’s Marketability on ‘Disappointing’ PPV Sales for Regis Prograis Fight

It was an out-and-out victory for Devin Haney. He played around with Regis Prograis the whole match. Not even once did he allow the New Orleans-born Southpaw to take the game out of his control. So how did the business aspects play out in such a convincing fight?

Boxing aside, the bout reportedly witnessed a sold-out crowd at the Chase Center. However, ask Top Rank honcho Bob Arum, and he will reveal that in terms of the pay-per-view business, the fight lost the narrative. But, according to him, the reasons for the dismal PPV numbers had less to do with the boxer. Rather, it had more to do with the time when the match was staged.

Ill-timed, says Bob Arum on the Haney-Prograis PPV

Bob Arum said the pay-per-view part looked anything but encouraging. The FightHype reporter had asked for his views on the subject. However, he added that scheduling the fight in December did away with the plot. All that matters most to people during this period is saving enough money. Then they could buy Christmas gifts and goodies for their loved ones. In the present-day scenario, the PPV has become so premium. So why would your average person show any interest in buying a subscription for a fight that’s not even so big? Arum asked.

He said, “But again, you know you put a fight on first of all in December pay-per-view. Uh, now what are people concerned about in December saving up their money so they could spend it on Christmas presents? The pay-per-view is so expensive now, but a lot of people who are looking uh to stretch their dollars to buy presents for their kids and relatives don’t want to put it in to buying a fight, particularly a fight like uh Haney uh Regis Prograis, which is not a huge, you know, once in a lifetime attraction.”

So in the final overview, the Haney-Prograis fight’s pay-per-view might not have tanked on account of Devin Haney’s low star value. The Top Rank boss concluded that it could have been on account of holding a match at the most inappropriate time of the year. Especially when considering other bouts that were showcased for free on platforms such as ESPN.

Citing the example of the outstanding featherweight battle between Rafael Espinoza and Robeisy Ramirez, Bob Arum said, “So the fact that it didn’t do well doesn’t mean that Devon Haney is not a good pay-per-view drawer, but it didn’t do well.”

Devin Haney: The next face of boxing?

Given the years he has spent in boxing, it would be hard to dispute the facts that Bob Arum presents. But at the same time, the fight has announced Devin Haney’s arrival on the big stage. He might be a step behind the likes of Gervonta Davis. However, there’s no denying that ‘The Dream’, after forcing his will over Regis Prograis, has reached a stage where he can rightfully ask for big paydays.

It’s a different fact: a slanging match with ‘Tank’ and his team over a fight has been hogging the headlines. However, there are other equally, if not better, business-worthy prospects in the current division. Otherwise, like what he did this year, he could move up a division for a big fight.

Read More: “Did He or Did He Not…”: Gervonta Davis Reacts to Devin Haney’s Unbelievable Rehydration as California Commission Sheds Light on Shocking Truth

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