Bob Arum: The Tale of Two Bobs
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum gave two recent interviews with conflicting perspectives. This is nothing new for the precocious promoter who once famously said “Yesterday I was lying. Today I’m telling the truth!”
Bob Arum commonly says and does things for his own best interests. While most fans dislike this trait, in truth, Arum functions no differently than any promoter in the sport.
ON THE CONTRARY
During an interview with Eddie Hearn for the co-promotion of Vasyl Lomachenko vs Luke Campbell, when asked about working together, Bob Arum was quick to respond.
“There’s only one promoter that makes it difficult to work with and that’s Haymon.”
Eddie Hearn would chime in following his Top Rank counterpart.
“We got a job to do. We did Hooker/Ramirez, Lomachenko/Crolla. Going back, we did Burns against Terence Crawford, and this fight, Lomachenko against Campbell.
“It’s never difficult to do a deal with Top Rank if it’s the right deal. If it’s the right deal. A fight against Matchroom and Top Rank will always happen. They’ve got a proper team of people. As do we, and there’s synergies in that respect as well.”
This contradicts an earlier interview by Arum. In a one-on-one interview, the crafty promoter was asked about a potential Errol Spence vs Terence Crawford fight.
“The Spence/Porter fight goes one way, and that’s Spence. Manny (Pacquiao) won’t fight Spence, he’d get really hurt fighting Spence. So, Spence then has to get a big fight, and the big fight would be with Crawford.
“Now the networks won’t be a problem because Spence is supported by FOX and Crawford has ESPN. There’s a history in sport of FOX and ESPN working together in cooperation on events. That’s why the Wilder and Fury fight comes together.”
Bob Arum also indicated that he’s talked to Errol Spence and Al Haymon regarding a potential super fight.
“I really believe having talked to Spence, and talked to Al Haymon, that each of them having a fight this year. Spence with Porter and Crawford with Kavaliauskas.
“That next year we’ll do that fight, because that’s a big big money fight.”
WHAT’S THE ANGLE?
After hearing Bob Arum’s comments regarding Haymon and his statements made alongside Eddie Hearn, one might wonder what’s Arum’s objective?
In regards to a potential Spence vs Crawford bout, the wily promoter is at a disadvantage. Spence has multiple options he can pursue should he come away victorious against Shawn Porter. This is why Arum has taken a sometimes combative approach with some of his statements.
The truth remains, Haymon and the PBC have done business with both, Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, as well as Bob Arum and Top Rank.
Some recent collaborations include Kell Brook vs Shawn Porter, Terence Crawford vs Felix Diaz, Terence Crawford vs John Molina Jr, Anthony Joshua vs Charles Martin, Anthony Joshua vs Eric Molina, Adonis Stevenson vs Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Vasyl Lomachenko vs Gary Russell, and Leo Santa Cruz vs Carl Frampton twice.
This brings us to our ultimate conclusion. Promoters make fights that fit their agendas. If their interests align, then they’ll make a fight.
Fans often have horses in the race but, really boxing functions primarily as a somewhat short-term business rather than a sport. Spence vs Crawford makes a lot of business sense. So more than likely, it happens sometime in the next 18 months.
By: Corey Cunningham
