After many months in the wilderness, Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing has finally found a home.
Top Rank and DAZN confirmed a multi-year media rights agreement Wednesday at a press conference in New York.
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The announcement is expected to see around 10 Top Rank-promoted boxing events stream on the platform per year, making DAZN the potential home to the likes of Teofimo Lopez, Keyshawn Davis, Emanuel Navarrete, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington and Xander Zayas.
Ring Magazine reported Monday the deal would see DAZN pay Top Rank around $1.25 million in rights fees per event, which is at odds with what multiple sources told Uncrowned, stating the license fee would be “significantly bigger.”
It follows almost a year of uncertainty for a promotion that has been running for more than 50 years. Since the expiration of its ESPN television deal this past July, Top Rank has promoted just two events due to its inability to secure another network deal, forcing a number of fighters to exit the promotion, including Artur Beterbiev, Mikaela Mayer and Oscar Valdez.
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Now Top Rank can get back to promoting events on the platform that is home to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, Frank Warren’s Queensberry and KSI’s MF Pro. Elsewhere, Dana White’s Zuffa is aligned with Paramount+, MVP has secured a deal to promote women’s boxing on ESPN, Premier Boxing Champions has events on Amazon Prime Video, and Golden Boy is still without a long-term broadcast partner.
The deal between Top Rank and DAZN is non-exclusive, allowing Top Rank to agree to deals with other networks to accommodate its stable. Talks remain ongoing between Top Rank and ESPN to agree on a deal for a small number of major shows on the platform.
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“Since the day I started Top Rank 60 years ago, our focus has been simple: Sign the best fighters, develop them into champions and make the best fights possible,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “DAZN’s position as the global home of boxing makes this a natural partnership, and I’m confident it will be tremendously beneficial for fighters, fans and the future of the sport.”
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“Boxing belongs on the global stage, and this landmark partnership with Top Rank brings one of the sport’s most iconic promoters and legacies to DAZN — the global home of boxing,” DAZN CEO Shay Segev said. “DAZN already delivers more premium fight nights than any entertainment platform in the world and the addition of Top Rank’s elite events and historic archive further strengthens our position. For fans, fighters and the sport, this partnership is about scale and setting a new standard for how world-class boxing is experienced.”
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