Top Rank Boxing is preparing to end its broadcast relationship with ESPN when their current contract expires in August 2025. According to Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, the promotion doesn’t plan to stick with a single media partner going forward. Instead, it will distribute its events across multiple platforms, similar to how other major sports leagues operate.
Arum told Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern that boxing is still a massively untapped market and said he’s optimistic about the ongoing talks with several potential partners. One of the likely candidates is DAZN, which has heavily invested in boxing and combat sports in recent years.
“There’s a lot of demand for content,” Arum said, citing the rise of streaming services and alternative platforms like YouTube. He also pointed out that boxing is relatively inexpensive to produce when compared to other sports, which could make it attractive to broadcasters looking for cost-effective live content.
Top Rank’s current deal with ESPN, which began in 2017, includes 54 live events annually across ESPN’s channels and ESPN+. That volume could be split between multiple partners under the new strategy Arum is pursuing.
There’s no word yet on how much Top Rank is seeking financially, or when a new set of deals will be finalized. But with the ESPN era winding down, the promotion is clearly shifting toward a more flexible, multi-platform future.
Top Rank Boxing: Accomplishments Over the Years
Founded in 1973 by Bob Arum, Top Rank has become one of boxing’s most successful and influential promotions, shaping the sport for over five decades. Here’s a breakdown of its major accomplishments:
Legendary Fighters Developed
Top Rank built and promoted some of the greatest boxers in history, to name only a few:
-
Muhammad Ali – Promoted his most iconic fights during the 1970s.
-
Sugar Ray Leonard – Helped turn him into a mainstream star.
-
Oscar De La Hoya – Launched his career and made him a pay-per-view attraction.
-
Manny Pacquiao – Elevated him to global superstardom with marquee fights.
-
Floyd Mayweather Jr. – Promoted him early in his career before he became boxing’s biggest draw.
-
Vasiliy Lomachenko, Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson, and Teofimo Lopez – More recent world champions developed under the Top Rank banner.
Major Broadcast Partnerships
-
ABC, HBO, Showtime, and ESPN – Top Rank has worked with all the biggest U.S. sports networks over the years.
-
The promotion’s long-running deal with ESPN (2017–2025) helped bring boxing back to mainstream cable and streaming audiences, producing 54 live events annually.
Global Expansion
-
Held world title fights and major events in the U.S., Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, the UK, and the Middle East.
-
Played a key role in promoting international stars and bridging global fanbases.
Olympic Talent Pipeline
-
Known for signing top amateur and Olympic boxers.
-
Helped transition decorated Olympians like George Foreman, Michael Carbajal, Andre Ward, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Shakur Stevenson into successful pro careers.
Consistent World Title Production
-
Over the decades, Top Rank has promoted hundreds of world title fights across nearly every weight division.
-
The promotion has a reputation for developing fighters from early stages to championship level.
Event Innovation
-
Top Rank was among the first to produce closed-circuit TV and early PPV events, helping change how fans watched major fights.
-
Pioneered the integration of boxing with mainstream entertainment and media during the sport’s cable TV boom.
Last Updated on 04/16/2025
Read the full article here
