Top Rank Boxing Secures Multi-Year Media Rights Agreement with DAZN
In a significant development for the boxing industry, Bob Arum’s Top Rank Boxing has secured a multi-year media rights agreement with DAZN, as announced during a press conference in New York. This new collaboration is poised to facilitate the streaming of approximately ten Top Rank boxing events annually on the DAZN platform.
The deal will likely showcase renowned fighters such as Teofimo Lopez, Keyshawn Davis, Emanuel Navarrete, Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, and Xander Zayas.
Financial Details and Context
Reports from Ring Magazine suggest that the arrangement involves DAZN paying Top Rank around $1.25 million per event for broadcasting rights, though other sources have indicated that the actual license fee could be much higher. This agreement ends a challenging period for Top Rank, which had promoted only two events in the past several months due to the expiration of its ESPN deal in July, leaving it without a broadcast partner and causing several fighters, including Artur Beterbiev and Oscar Valdez, to depart the promotion.
Strategic Implications of the Partnership
The partnership with DAZN not only places Top Rank alongside other major boxing promotions like Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Frank Warren’s Queensberry but also ensures that it can maintain flexibility by engaging with other networks. Ongoing negotiations between Top Rank and ESPN may lead to a limited number of significant events being produced under that platform as well.
Statements from Leadership
Bob Arum, who founded Top Rank 60 years ago, emphasized the company’s commitment to signing elite fighters and promoting exhilarating matchups. He expressed optimism about how this new partnership with DAZN would benefit fighters, fans, and the sport itself.
DAZN’s CEO, Shay Segev, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the platform’s ambition to enhance the boxing experience and its position as a leading destination for premium fight nights.
This alliance marks a pivotal moment not only for Top Rank but for the future of boxing globally.
