Major Development in Women’s Boxing
In a significant development for women’s boxing, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), a company launched by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021, has secured a multi-year broadcasting agreement with ESPN, as announced on December 16, 2025. This partnership will see ESPN serve as the official broadcaster for the newly established women’s boxing league, MVPW, which currently features a roster of 43 fighters.
Announcement and Future Plans
The announcement came during a fighter showcase and open workout event at the LIV Nightclub in Fontainebleau, Miami, where Jake Paul was present, actively training ahead of future bouts. MVP aims to position itself as a premier platform for women’s boxing, catering not only to existing fans of the sport but also attracting new audiences enthusiastic about women’s athletics.
In their joint statement, Paul and Bidarian highlighted their commitment to invest in female athletes, noting that through strategic events over the past five years, they have demonstrated that women can and should be showcased on the sport’s grandest stages.
They expressed pride in partnering with ESPN, calling it a pivotal moment for the league, which plans to debut in the United States on April 17 with the event MVPW-02, hosted at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre.
Inaugural Events and Partnerships
The inaugural event, MVPW-01, is set to take place on April 5 in London, featuring a highly anticipated lightweight unification fight between Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper. Reports suggest that Sky Sports will also be involved as a long-term media rights partner for MVP, enhancing the league’s presence in both the U.S. and the UK.
Market Positioning
The upcoming MVPW events are crucial, particularly as major U.S. boxing promoters like Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions currently lack television deals, while Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing is competing aggressively in the market. This new deal positions MVP as a leading force in women’s boxing, solidifying its status and influence as it aims to elevate the profile of female boxers globally.
