Top Rank inks DAZN deal
Sometimes champions are down, but true champs are never really out – that’s what makes them champions. Top Rank Boxing, the legendary, 6-decade-old company, founded and led by boxing industry icon Bob Arum, has been without a network deal since its ESPN run ended last July.
But with the recent announcement that the Las Vegas-based company has signed a long- term deal with DAZN, the company and their star- studded roster are back with a bang!
The multi-year deal will see regular events, along with classic fights from Top Rank’s legendary fight library, between live shows.
DAZN, certainly one of the world’s leading boxing platforms, and Top Rank, a legend in the industry if there ever was one, have inked a multi-year deal that will see their champions and contenders back in the ring under the DAZN/Top Rank banner.
Top Rank has been keeping their fighters busy on other networks and shows, but has been working behind the scenes to get a regular network in place for its roster.
Arum started in his foray into boxing with the best – “The Greatest”, Muhammad Ali. His first show as a boxing promoter was the Ali vs. George Chuvalo heavyweight championship fight on March 29, 1966, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada. Since that epic debut, he has never looked back – he is indeed the last man standing of the original great promoters of the modern era.
And, with this new deal in place, it looks the Top Rank brand will continue to thrive.
Arum has worked with an endless list of iconic champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya, Michael Carbajal, Terence Crawford, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Joe Frazier, Timothy Bradley, Ray Mancini, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Manny Pacquiao. And, the list literally goes on and on.
The Top Rank Chairman, glad to have a new deal in place, said, “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. 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.”
Top Rank, anxious to get their fighters back in the ring under the new DAZN deal, will announce their debut and upcoming shows in the very near future.
A
s Top Rank stated on a recent social media release – “A New Era has Begun”.