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  Womens boxing has long lived in the shadows of the sport. Cheap Brewers Jerseys China .Its a cycle that begins and ends with television networks, a cycle that stems from a perception that the quality of female talent is thin. Yet, without the ability to sell womens fights on televised cards, the signing and developing of female fighters is rendered an unprofitable business for promoters. The opportunity for women to make a living fighting thus becomes virtually impossible ... and the cycle continues.Im a little embarrassed we havent gotten to it sooner, said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports, about the networks plans to put womens fights back on its air. We aim to rectify that very quickly -- and not on a one-off basis but on a meaningful regular basis as well.While Showtime still hasnt promoted a fight since 2001, it plans to do so, and womens boxing will be televised Saturday, when Claressa Shields makes her professional debut on Saturday in a four-round super middleweight bout against Franchon Crews. It will air on ESPN3 on the freeview undercard of Sergey Kovalev and Andre Wards pay-per-view fight on HBO.Coupled with the previous strides made in 2016, it appears that a new era of womens boxing is dawning.Claressa Shields has dubbed this era as the reintroduction to womens boxing. The era took a giant step forward on Aug. 21 when Shields became the first American fighter, male or female, to defend an Olympic gold medal. That same day, Heather Hardy and Shelly Vincent became the first women to be featured on a Premier Boxing Champions?nationally televised undercard.Now, that era is primed to move ahead even further.Well aware of her role in what could be the surge needed to finally carry womens boxing from out of the shadows, Shields is preparing to make her professional debut on Saturday.Shields chose to begin her professional career rather than stay an amateur (and have the guarantee of eligibility to return to the Olympics in 2020) in part because of the potential the timing presented. At 21 years old, amid what already feels like a revolution in womens boxing, Shields is primed to take up the baton and carry the sport over the line it has come so close to crossing so many times.I dont want to let this flame burn out that we have right now, Shields said. You have to seize the moment and take advantage of it.Im not doing it for the money. Im doing it for womens boxing.Shields has marinated on this concept of being the change for some time. It was a primary reason behind her decision and a seed that was planted before she won her second gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, when she had a conversation with Hardy about the two fighters mutual hope for the future of their sport and the respect it deserves.The way Hardy understood it, Shields turning pro would send a message: This is what women do. Women fight. Women box.We werent just thinking about each other making millions of dollars; we were thinking about the other women coming up behind us, Shields said.This is a new era, and thats no disrespect to Christy Martin or Lucia Rijker or Laila [Ali]. But the women of this generation are just different. And me? Im one-of-a-kind. You only get one of me every century.New York-born and bred, Hardy used to dream about becoming a Yankee. As a child she would even envision herself running out of the bullpen at Yankee Stadium. She watched every game. She knew every stat. But little girls didnt play baseball.I remember feeling like I was sorry I liked it, she said. I was sorry I was a girl.Later in life, Hardy adopted a new dream: becoming a professional boxer. But as she transitioned out of the amateurs, she was confronted with a harsh reality: Women dont make much money fighting.A bunch of the girls who are pro [told me], Just know this isnt a life for you; this is a hobby because youll never make any money off of it, Hardy said.And 20 years later, I have that same feeling. Im sorry Im a girl.Hardy was the first woman to be signed to a long-term promotional contract with Lou DiBellas company, DiBella Entertainment. DiBella, one of New Yorks premier boxing promoters, has been one of the main actors at the forefront of the current revolution. In addition to Hardy, DiBella has signed deals with other prominent women fighters, including WBO featherweight champion Amanda Serrano and Hardys last opponent, Vincent.While DiBella said he doesnt make money off their fights, the fact that he puts on shows in New York and throughout New England means Hardy and the other female fighters in his stable who are from the area sell enough tickets to cover a good portion of the costs of their bouts. DiBella, who admits he was once hardened to the idea of women in the ring when he was an HBO executive, has said that promoting his female fighters has become a cause for him.I admire their dedication. I admire their spirit to want to bring about change, DiBella said. Id say a number of these women right now are not only out there as fighters; theyre out there as trailblazers, as advocates. Theyre trying to change the status quo, to be agents of change, so that other women coming forward in the sport in the future have an easier road and an opportunity to make a living the same way men do.The difference between the money that male and female fighters can make fighting doesnt necessarily stem from a gap in fight purses -- in fact, according to DiBella, male and female fighters on the same card will generally make similar money for the same level of fight. The difference, then, is the fact that televised fights come with much bigger purses, and without opportunities to fight on televised cards, women simply dont have the option for bigger paydays. As DiBella put it, its a wage ceiling.While male fighters are going after that $100,000 payday -- the $50,000, $150,000 or $1 million payday -- those paydays dont exist for women because television has been closed to them, DiBella said.Female fighters with untelevised bouts thus become more reliant on whatever percentage of ticket sales they get, which can often mean more aggressive promotion of their own fights, spreading the word and hanging up posters to try to sell tickets.Hardy, a single mother, has considered taking MMA fights to help pay the bills, a proposition that recently became even more real when DiBella had to cancel the cards he had scheduled in New York through the end of the year because of a new provision that requires promoters in the state to secure $1 million of insurance per fighter in the event one suffers a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately for Hardy, one of those events DiBella had to cancel was a show at Barclays Center on Dec. 16 that Hardy was supposed to fight on.As much as Id like to discourage her as a promoter from [moving to MMA], Im not going to because she has to do what she has to do to maximize her revenue streams, to take advantage of her popularity and to try to make a living for her and her daughter, DiBella said. I cant fault her for needing a supplemental income.Its worth noting that while DiBella has signed some of the best female talent in the United States, his stable is missing the biggest star in Shields, who told ESPN in September before announcing her pro debut that the only company she wanted to sign with was Oscar De La Hoyas Golden Boy Promotions. However, Shields agent said she has yet to make any decisions regarding a promoter as of this week.DiBellas investment could turn out to be a gamble that pays off if the status quo changes.The current pool of female talent is ripe for a chance at the big time, with fighters on the rise from coast to coast. Even across the pond, where womens boxing is already more prominently televised, 13-year Irish amateur and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Katie Taylor has too decided to turn professional.The skill level and talent base is all there, Espinoza said. Its just a matter of providing the opportunity.Espinoza wants Showtime to provide that opportunity. The five-year executive said that putting female fights back on the networks airwaves has been on its to-do list for some time, and that he hopes to get one on a card in the first quarter of 2017.Espinoza and DiBella have elevated conversations even further, with pretty extensive discussions about the prospect of an all-female card sometime next year. DiBella said that that type of card would ideally feature a Hardy-Vincent rematch, possibly even for a world title, if Hardy ends up fighting for one in March, as DiBella suggested she might.An all-womens card is certainly an ambitious goal, considering it likely would require the cooperation of various promoters, but Espinoza doesnt consider it insurmountable.If we can be the unifying force to bring this aboard, wed be happy to, he saidThe concept of elevating womens presence in combat sports by making opportunities possible isnt new for Showtime. Ronda Rousey fought her final three Strikeforce fights before signing with Dana White and the UFC in 2012, and those bouts aired on Showtime. Other female mixed martial arts stars such as Gina Carano, Cris Cyborg Justino and Miesha Tate also came up through Strikeforce before making the same jump.When you look at the business opportunity, which has been demonstrated in MMA, you cant really argue that the market isnt ready or the audience isnt ready, Espinoza said.The momentum that peaked in August, with Shields Olympic win and Hardy and Vincents televised bout, is palpable and has continued to pick up steam. For women in the sport, its a fight for their livelihood and for equality in the ring, present and future.If my daughter wanted to box, I would never be like, Yeah, you should work for that, Vincent said. Before I wouldve said, No, youre never going to get anywhere. Theyre never going to accept you. Youre never going to make any money.But now I would say there is hope, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.That light is primed to grow brighter again on Saturday, when Shields steps into the ring at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.Just tell everybody this is the reintroduction to womens boxing, Shields said. Thank me later. Cheap Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Cheap Robin Yount Jersey . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. http://www.cheapbrewersjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-jhoulys-chacin-jersey ;. -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. The Texans and Raiders face off in Week 11 of Monday Night Football in the NFLs return to Mexico. It will be the second regular-season game to take place at Mexico Citys Estadio Azteca.The NFL has a storied history in Mexico:The first NFL regular-season game played outside of the United States was on Oct. 2, 2005, when the Cardinals won 31-14 over the 49ers at Estadio Azteca in front of 103,467 people.The leagues two most-attended games were played at Estadio Azteca, both in the preseason. On Aug. 15, 1994, the Cowboys and Oilers played in front of 112,376 people, and on Aug. 17, 1998, 106,424 fans watched the Cowboys and Patriots play.Approximately 16.88 million households make up Mexicos TV viewing population, about 15 percent the size of the U.S. TV market and roughly equivalent to the combined size of the top three markets in this country -- New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.Here are ESPN.coms stories around the NFLs return to Mexico:Oakland Raiders 27, Houston Texans 20Monday, Nov. 21, 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/WatchESPNGame HQ page | PickCenterRaiders show up late, but in time to steal a win in MexicoBrock Osweiler shows improvement, but Texans still have work to doDerek Carr is so safe, hes dangerousGruden: Derek Carrs arm talent, accuracy and athleticism on full display?Jadeveon Clowneys reluctant switch to DE paying off big for TexansHow to bet Houston-Oakland?Sports Science: How Mexico Citys elevation could affect fantasy numbersTexans will likely lean on running game vs. RaidersTexans WR Hopkins shows off Mexican-themed cleatsTexans Xavier Sua-Filo gives teammates Spanish lesson prior to game in Mexico CityHome team Raiders approaching Mexico City game as a road gameTexans find offensive identity through Lamar Miller, running gameHow many times will Khalil Mack sack Brock Osweiler this time?Tight playoff race? Raiders one of three seven-win teams - in AFC WestBill OBrien: Raiders playing as one of the best teams in the leagueAfter four NFL games outside U.S. in 2016, get used to moreThe NFL played four games outside the U.S. this season. Going forward, the league is curious to see whether it can add more. Read more from Dan Graziano.NFL fans in Mexico City dress for the occasionWith the NFL returning to Mexico for the first time since 2005, these fans put their passion for the game on display by going all out with their wardrobe at Fan Fest in Mexico City. View the photos.Tom Flores, Jim Plunkett blazed path to Raiders popularity in MexicoBoth Flores and Plunkett made Super Bowl history as Mexican-Americans, and their accomplishments are still celebrated south of the border.?Read more from Paul Gutierrez.The inside story of Mexican Rolando Cantus one-game NFL careerOn New Years Day in 2006, offensive lineman Rolando Cantu, who was born in and played football in Mexico, made history. Read more from Josh Weinfuss.Autoridades de la NFL y la CDMX inauguran Fan Fest en ChapultepecEste sábado por la ma?ana quedó inaugurado de forma oficial el Fan Fest de la NFL, previo al juego de Monday Night Football que disputarán los Houston Texans y Oakland Raidders. Cheap Glenn Robinson Jersey. . Read more from Rafael Zamorano.How the Eagles brought the NFL to MexicoThe NFL will return to Mexico Monday when the Texans take on the Raiders, but the Eagles were the first to play in Mexico City on Aug. 5, 1978. Read more from Eric Gomez.Its a revamped sports scene in Mexico from a decade agoIn the past decade, Mexico City has hosted a number of major sporting events, from NBA regular season games to UFC championship bouts Read more from Erick Cervantes. | | Spanish version.Why Mark Davis chose civil rights icon Tommie Smith to light Raiders torchOlympian Tommie Smith made an impression on Raiders owner Mark Davis in 1968, which is why Davis wanted Smith to light Al Davis torch in Mexico City. Read more from Paul Gutierrez.From youth to pro, American football has taken root in MexicoThe NFL hasnt staged a game in Mexico since 2005, but the sport has been thriving there. At every level from youth to pro, American football is becoming a big deal south of the border. Read more from Josh Weinfuss.In Mexico City, signs of NFL popularity are everywhereWhy is the NFL in Mexico? A visitor to the capital city can sense right away why the league is so bullish on the countrys potential. Read more from Steve Wulf.Planet Football: Countries where the sport is thrivingA new adult football league debuted in Mexico City this spring, joining dozens of semi-professional and club-level leagues in every corner of the planet -- from Europe to Asia to Australia.?Read more from Kevin Seifert.How Monterrey Tech became heart of Mexican college footballMonterrey Tech, with 17 national titles in the past 30 years, hasnt just dominated college football in Mexico; the powerhouse program has pumped life into the sport throughout the country. Read more from Eric Gomez.Mexico is a no-brainer for NFL, but market is complexWith more than 28 million NFL fans, Mexico is a growing market brimming with potential, but obstacles remain in making it a mainstay for more regular-season games. Read more from Darren Rovell.Juego en Londres, estándar ante lo que compite MéxicoSin caer en una guerra de comparaciones, pero utilizando la NFL International Series en Londres como marco de referencia, México tiene un enorme reto por delante en la semana que culminará el próximo lunes con el duelo entre los Houston Texans y los Oakland Raiders sobre la cancha del Estadio Azteca. Read more from Luis Miguel Vasavilbaso.How American football is becoming a worldwide sportAmerican football has gone global, and the sport is growing one big dude at a time in some markets. Exploring?the games worldwide reach and what it could mean for the NFL. Read more from Kevin Seifert.U.S. teaches international brethren, learns a lesson at football tourneySome teams at the World University Championship of American Football in Mexico were thrilled just to face the country that invented the game, but the hosts set their sights on making history. 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