Stiverne-Arreola 2 achieved highest ESPN boxing rating in a decade

Stiverne-Arreola 2 achieved highest ESPN boxing rating in a decade

Saturday’s heavyweight title fight between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola on ESPN earned a Nielsen overnight rating of 0.8, the highest the network achieved in boxing since 2003 according to a press release.

ESPN told BehindTheGloves.com before the fight that an 0.8 rating would make the Worldwide Leader happy with their first shot at big time boxing in about a decade. The fight was a compelling one that Stiverne won by stopping Arreola in the sixth round.

Hopefully, the rating will lead to more larger scale boxing matches on the network. Stiverne showed some charisma at the post fight press conference by giving an emphatic and humble victory speech after winning the WBC heavyweight title. Stiverne’s victory also brings promoter Don King back to the mix of big time heavyweight boxing after last having a controlling interest in the division through 2005.

Though Wladimir Klitschko is the unquestioned heavyweight king, Stiverne adds an interesting dimension to the division, particularly with unbeaten 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Deontay Wilder waiting as the mandatory challenger. If ESPN puts in a serious bid for Wilder’s eventual title challenge, Showtime and HBO could have some serious competition.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com