A knockout: ESPN and Top Rank Boxing agree to long-term deal

Over the past few months, ESPN has truly lived by their catchphrase, “The Worldwide Leader in Sports.” From pro wrestling to MMA, ESPN has seemed to take more of an interest in boxing than ever before. Now, boxing has a true commitment with ESPN as the company announced a seven-year deal to promote fights from Top Rank Boxing.

The deal runs from the end of 2018-2025 and will feature 54 events per year. Along with original programming, here is what the deal entails:

– 18 events on ESPN

– 12 prime time events on the ESPN+ app

– 24 international events on ESPN+

– Coverage of all 54 events on the undercard side of things on ESPN+

In regards to the deal, Top Rank President Todd duBoef had the following to say:

This partnership will continue to bring the biggest events and best fighters from around the world to ESPN networks. Our collective ability to integrate live events, classic fights, studio shows, and behind-the-scenes features will raise the long-term profile of the sport of boxing and the athletes.”

Through ESPN’s deal with Top Rank, we have seen a variety of epic fights on both TV and the ESPN+ app. Examples include the controversial Manny Pacquiao v. Jeff Horn bout, Horn v. Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko v. Guillermo Rigondeaux and the recent Lomachenko v. Jorge Linares bout. Additionally, female athletes like Mikaela Mayer have been shown on the platform.

With ESPN shown all over the world, the hope is that boxing will regain the audience that thrives for combat style competition. Along with the UFC, ESPN has officially welcomed in the boxing family into their own.