5 Reasons Why Boxing Needs ESPN Friday Night Fights to Be on TV All Year Long

As most boxing fans know ESPN has a season that ends in the winter months and resumes in January.  Though this is done for budgetary reasons and is understandable it leaves a gaping hole in boxing.

Even though the fights usually aren't the most important or have the biggest names they give fans a something to look forward to every week.

Here is why ESPN Friday Night Fights should be broadcast year round.

ESPN Friday Night Fights Is Consistenly There Week in and Week out

Many HBO and Showtime subscribers are at the mercy of the station when it comes to not only what fights they will show, but how many fights will be shown in a month and if they will be "free" to watch or if the subscriber will have to buy it on PPV.

ESPN's Friday Night Fights are usually there week after week with a week break every once in a while. Fans can come home after a hard day at work and turn on the television and know that there will be fights.

Having boxing on TV every week and at around the same time is the best way to build a fan base and getting eyeballs to see what boxing is capable of.

Which gets to the next point...

ESPN Friday Night Fights Are Actually on Free TV

HBO and Showtime will never have the biggest fights in boxing because part of what makes said fights such important events are the ability for fans to see it.

New boxing fans will not be made from premium cable fights, but from people stumbling onto a match Friday night and staying because it is interesting.

The wider an audience the better chance a program has of reaching them and captivating their attention.

HBO and Showtime may be the highest echelon in boxing, but they are marketed to the established boxing fan, or if it is a super fight the casual fan.

There is no in-between.

ESPN's fights on the other hand have a mix of being for new fans and established ones and an easy access for both to see it.

ESPN Friday Night Fights Sometimes Finds Diamonds in the Rough

This does not mean that some of the fighters they find are ever going to be champions, but Gabriel Rosado and Antwone Smith are both boxers who have shown themselves to be decent opponents that can upset the predetermined winners.

It also means that some fighters become ESPN staples and continue to produce great fights throughout the years.

This goes back to making new fans. People who recognize names that they associate with good fights will be more likely to tune in.

Casual fans of ESPN boxing will be more likely to watch if they see a name that they remember and will be more likely to want to see.

ESPN Friday Night Fights Give Smaller Promoters Chances to Be on Televised Shows

Most of HBO and Showtime's dates go to the bigger promoters in boxing such as Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank, Gary Shaw and Lou Dibella.

However, most of ESPN's shows have a smaller budget and therefore does not attract the bigger promoters.

This gives smaller promoters a chance to shine. It also helps introduce the fighters who do not have promotional giants behind them to the fans.

Considering how much of HBO and Showtime's boxing goes towards the A-list promoters, it is good to see up-and-comers or decent-sized veterans get a chance to be on TV.

ESPN Friday Night Fights Usually Ends Up Being Better Than Expected

Boxing fans seem to be pessimists. No matter how great something is they will find a way to be disappointed. No matter how greatly a fight is hyped it can also disappoint fans.

ESPN's fights on the other hand never seem to have high expectations.

The fights are free, the bouts are sometimes even, and the commercials do not saturate the program.

And because of this, fans usually have a good night.

And who could not use a few more of those in boxing?