Boxing Promoter secures lucrative streaming deal with ESPN+

Nevada-based boxing promotion company Top Rank has extended their current deal with sports channel network ESPN for a further seven years.

The new agreement will see ESPN provide live coverage of 54 boxing events per year, as well as delivering previews and post-fight analysis programmes, archive and studio content and new shows until August 2025.

Top Rank-promoted events will air on both ESPN and ESPN+.

As sports broadcasting rights continue their transition to the lucrative online streaming market, 12 of the 54 events will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.

A further 24 “premium international events” will also appear exclusively on the streaming platform, which will continue to provide weigh-in coverage and pre-fight press conferences.

ESPN president and the co-chairman of Disney Media Networks, Jimmy Pitaro, said: “By creating and distributing significantly more Top Rank events and boxing content, ESPN and Top Rank will jointly cultivate upcoming fighters and fights, creating the stars of tomorrow while providing fans with the sport’s best content in a more personalized manner.”

Kevin Mayer, who oversees ESPN+ as Disney’s chairman of direct-to-consumer and international, added: “This expanded relationship with Top Rank increases the ability of ESPN+ to serve boxing fans better than ever and allows us to continue to build more direct relationships with this incredibly passionate audience.”