Top Rank formally announces deal with new broadcast partner

Top Rank has found a new home for their fight nights.

The boxing promotional company revealed via press release on Wednesday that they have signed a “multi-year media rights deal” with DAZN. This will see Top Rank boxing events air live on DAZN in addition to their archive becoming available for users of the streaming service. Details regarding the exact nature of the deal were not present in the press release. The inaugural card on DAZN will reportedly be announced shortly.

Top Rank previously broadcast their events on ESPN. That deal expired at the end of July last year and they have since aired their shows on their FAST channel. Fighters they promote, such as Emanuel Navarrete, have appeared on events put on by other promotional companies in collaboration with Top Rank.

Top Rank announces new broadcast deal, stakeholders react

“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,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum in the press release. “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.”

“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,” said DAZN Group CEO Shay Segev. “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.”

What this means going forward

According to reporting done by Declan Warrington and Lance Pugmire of BoxingScene, the broadcast deal will see Top Rank put on 10-12 events a year on DAZN. The company did far more events every year during their time on ESPN, so it remains to be seen whether there will be a decrease in the number of shows they do. Arum has previously spoken about having multiple broadcasters. However, that has yet to play out.

Top Rank promotes a large number of boxers. Among them are reigning world champions such as Navarrete, Abdullah Mason, Xander Zayas, Raymond Muratalla, and Bruce Carrington. They also promote contenders and prospects such as Richard Torrez Jr., Emiliano Vargas, Sammy Contreras, and Deric Davis. In the past, they promoted the likes of Muhammad Ali, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Durán, George Foreman, and more.