It's not ideal, but Chagaev-Klitschko could be intriguing

3. HBO is making a mistake passing on this fight

Ruslan Chagaev (right) scored a TKO victory over Carl Davis Drumond in February to retain the WBA title.

It's interesting that we are discussing this because HBO has been "The Klitschko Network" when it comes to boxing, having televised 16 of his fights. I understand the network's reasons for passing. It had its heart set on Haye. It liked his charisma and thought he could be marketed to the American public.

HBO doesn't feel that way about Chagaev. Not with less than two weeks to promote him. They don't think Joe The Plumber and his buddies are going to tune in on a Saturday afternoon to watch Klitschko fight a Russian no one has ever heard of. Not under optimal circumstances and certainly not with the looming possibility of Tiger Woods making one of his electrifying pushes at the U.S. Open on Saturday, right around the time the opening bell sounds.

Money is also a factor. HBO has allocated millions for their fall boxing lineup. It's looking into putting on shows featuring Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto and Andre Berto. The network is keeping dates open for Glen Johnson-Chad Dawson and Cris Arreola-Vitali Klitschko. And it's also holding out hope that Haye-Wladimir Klitschko can be revived later this year. Like the rest of the country, HBO has been hit by the recession so the cash that might have been there in years past just isn't in its coffers today.

But I think HBO is making a mistake. If the WBA -- which makes more questionable decisions than Lindsay Lohan -- decides to sanction this fight and with Ring Magazine already on board, it becomes a compelling contest. If Klitschko wins, he and Vitali will control every piece of the heavyweight crown, an impressive accomplishment even in this diluted era.

Besides, there are no guarantees that Haye will get another shot. After fighting Chagaev, Klitschko is contractually obligated to fight a mandatory challenger for one of his titles, probably IBF No. 1 contender Alexander Povetkin. Klitschko is eager to stay busy, but three fights in the last six months of the year are likely too many. Any money HBO is saving for a Haye fight should go towards this Chagaev bout.

Not for nothing, but the European fans don't seem to be bothered by Chagaev. According to Boente, of the roughly 60,000 tickets that were sold for the fight, only eight were returned after Chagaev was announced as a replacement. Not 800. Not 80. Eight.

I think American boxing fans feel the same. Does Haye's mouth, and the likelihood that Klitschko would dramatically and emphatically shut it, have the possibility of exciting the average fan more than Chagaev's technical skills? Absolutely. But by promoting the fight as a battle of champions and emphasizing what is at stake, HBO would still have drawn a healthy audience. Or at least as many as they did when Klitschko demolished Tony Thompson in two rounds using just his left hand last July.

Fortunately, it's looking like ESPN will be picking up the fight and broadcasting it -- either on the flagship network or ESPN Classic. The Klitschkos are all about exposure and they have no desire to make a quick buck by putting the fight on an obscure Pay-Per-View. But it's unfortunate that HBO, which does a terrific job with its broadcasts, won't be a part of it.