Monday, March 31, 2025

DR. PHIL’S MERITTV™ LAUNCHES PREMIERE WEEKEND FOR“TCL TEAM BOXING LEAGUE” LIVE MATCHES

Press Release: March 31, 2025 By Merit TV  - DALLAS (Mar. 31, 2025) — Dr. Phil’s MeritTV™, the multiplatform TV network founded by Dr. Phil McGraw, will exclusively air the season’s first live matches of “TCL Team Boxing League” on April 4 at 9 PM ET and Sunday, April 6 at 3 PM ET across broadcast, cable, streaming, FAST platforms, and the network’s free app, MeritTV.


TCL’s 2025 season—its third—will launch with the Boston vs. New York battle (from Foxwoods Casino), featuring teams composed of rising male and female talent alongside seasoned veterans. Competitors in the first and only professional boxing league with a team-based ownership model will face off across 12 different weight classes in 24 action-packed, three-minute rounds, with team performance determining the overall winner.


“TCL Team Boxing League” live matches on MeritTV:

Friday, April 4 at 9 PM ET – Boston Butchers Vs. NYC Attitude live from Foxwoods Casino, CT

Sunday, April 6 at 3 PM ET – Atlanta Attack Vs. Nashville Smash live from Nashville Fairgrounds, TN


The following weekend features Los Angeles Vs. Miami, Phoenix Vs. Las Vegas, and Philadelphia Vs. New York City. Approximately 20 weekends of TCL Boxing will air exclusively on MeritTV as part of a global media partnership announced earlier this year. The culmination of play-off rounds and final battles take place throughout July and August.


About Dr. Phil’s MeritTV


Launched in April 2024 under the Merit Street Media banner, Dr. Phil’s MeritTV is a premier multiplatform television network spearheaded by Dr. Phil McGraw, the esteemed best-selling author and award-winning television host. MeritTV creates and distributes compelling content across diverse platforms, reaching audiences nationwide. This fully distributed cable, satellite, streaming, FAST TV (free ad-supported streaming TV channels), and free over-the-air broadcast media brand reaches over 200 million homes.


Viewers can access the channel-finder link by entering ZIP codes at MeritTV.com. The broad multiplatform scaled distribution partnerships – with a mix of broadcast, basic cable, national satellites, and FAST TV – include the free streaming app MeritTV, available to download via iPhone and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku.


The network boasts a rich tapestry of original and acquired programming, anchored by the nightly talk show “Dr. Phil Primetime.” Situated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the expansive Merit studios span five acres and serve as the dynamic hub for the brand. Here, daily morning and evening live news broadcasts unfold, plus live breaking news, embodying MeritTV’s commitment to delivering engaging and informative content. Visit MeritTV.com


Material Courtesy of: Merit TV Used with permission 




The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Schedule Pause

We would like to let our readers know that we are currently between rounds and will update readers on when our normal schedule will resume during the second week of April. In the interim, any content that is sent in from promoters, networks, and other entities in the sport of Boxing will be made available to readers as normal as they come in. Stay Tuned.


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 


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Friday, March 28, 2025

Reflecting And Remembering "Big" George Foreman

There are points where those of us who cover the sport, who follow their passion and love for Boxing, often referred to as “The Fight Game," where one reflects on those who helped build that love for the sport. Unfortunately, such reflections often come upon sad news that as time goes on, one knows the time will come where it will be time to pay tribute to legends as they unfortunately leave us. Although this observer does not look forward to penning such pieces, if one is a true Boxing lifer, which I am proud to be one, and takes the vocation of covering the sport seriously, it unfortunately comes with the territory.


The Boxing world was hit with a massive blow on March 21, 2025 when news emerged that former Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time World Heavyweight champion, ordained minister, preacher, entrepreneur, pitchman, one-time actor, author, Boxing commentator, and Hall of Famer “Big" George Foreman passed away in his native Houston, TX at the age of 76. Frankly, even though I obviously knew that Foreman was in his 70’s, and had not fought in a Boxing ring in nearly 28 years, the news of his passing still hit me hard. 


Perhaps the reason for that is because Foreman along with several others all influenced me to not only follow the sport to the point where the term “Boxing Lifer” is more than appropriate, but to ultimately enter Boxing as well as other combat sports as a writer. Obviously, there will be scribes throughout the sport that will talk a great deal about Foreman winning the Gold medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, and the reign of terror he inflicted upon the Heavyweight division upon turning professional and throughout the 1970’s highlighted by his destruction of Joe Frazier to win the World Heavyweight championship in 1973, his equally brutal knockout of Ken Norton in 1974 in a title defense, his losing the title to Muhammad Ali as the victim of Ali’s “Rope A Dope" strategy that saw Ali take a brutal beating at the hands of Foreman for seven rounds before turning the tables on an exhausted champion and knocking him out in the eighth round to take the title from him, to the time when he once fought five men in one night in a sideshow exhibition, to his legendary battle against Ron Lyle, to his loss to Jimmy Young, which led to his embarking on a path that saw him become an ordained minister. All of which are important to Foreman's story and deserve to be discussed as I am doing here, but yours truly has a bit of a different perspective on Foreman's career.


While I studied all of the above and all of Foreman's career, I did not enter the world until the 1980’s and as such, my exposure to George Foreman began during his comeback period, which started in 1987. A comeback that would go down as probably one of the greatest in all of sports was initially viewed by many as skeptical and treated by some as an outright joke. The reason for this is Foreman was not only returning to the ring ten years after retiring following his loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, at the age of 38, which was unheard of at the time, but also Foreman returned not as a scary, physically imposing monster he had been back in his prime, but as a pudgy pitchman, who was a master at drawing interest in his fights as well as being a much more outwardly publicly engaging, friendly individual than had been the case in his prime.


At the time as a young kid, one of my favorite things to do was watch Boxing with my father. In the late 1980’s, there were weekly series on cable television dedicated to Boxing here in the United States, which aired on both USA Network and ESPN. Along with Heavyweights like Ray Mercer and future Foreman opponent Tommy Morrison, who were just starting their professional careers, both networks served as platforms for Foreman's comeback in its early stages. While frankly most of Foreman's opposition from 1987 to 1990 were overmatched opponents designed to help Foreman work off what is often referred to as “Ring Rust," every time Foreman fought, my father and I were watching. It did not take long for me to become a fan and part of that was aided by my father telling me stories about Foreman in the 1970’s as well as helping me gain access to footage of classic fight films whenever he could. 


In 1990, however, Foreman's comeback was turned serious by those who initially scoffed at his attempt to return to the ring to reclaim the World Heavyweight championship. First in January of that year and in an attempt to test the waters of his marketability over age 40, Foreman headlined a pay-per-view card where he scored a brutal second round knockout of longtime Heavyweight contender and former world title challenger Gerry Cooney, sending him into retirement. Although some remained skeptical given that Cooney was attempting a comeback himself following a three year hiatus when he fought Foreman, the skepticism began to quiet down when in June of that year, Foreman took on South American Heavyweight champion Addilson Rodrigues, who had recently fought Evander Holyfield, who at the time was the number one Heavyweight contender, and, despite losing to Holyfield, still maintained a top ten ranking amongst the sport’s respective sanctioning organizations. 


As he had done to Cooney, Foreman made quick work of Rodrigues, knocking him out in the second round. Following a one round knockout of veteran Terry Anderson in September of that year, Foreman found himself in position to face the new Undisputed World Heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in April 1991 in an attempt to regain the title. 


Known as “The Battle of the Ages," many did not give Foreman a chance outside of a possible quick knockout citing both his age 42 at the time, as well as a superbly conditioned Holyfield, who was just entering his athletic prime and had introduced methods into his training regime that had never been seen in the sport before. To the surprise of some, Foreman proved to be competitive, engaging in a twelve round toe to toe classic battle with Holyfield including somehow being able to withstand a brutal barrage of punches from Holyfield in the seventh round, where the champion fired off twenty-six unanswered punches, many of which landed flush, but could not knock Foreman down.


Despite his ability to stand up to that assault, which to this day, this observer still cannot figure out how he was able to, and putting up a great fight, Foreman did not succeed in taking the title from Holyfield in losing a twelve round unanimous decision. Although at this point, Foreman had proven to be just as legitimate a fighter as he had been in the 1970’s when he was champion and arguably the most feared fighter in the sport, as well as being a better fighter in terms of technique and ability to be both patient and relaxed in the midst of battle during his comeback rather than the physically imposing figure that frankly steamrolled most of his opponents, following the loss to Holyfield, almost instinctively, speculation started as to whether Foreman would continue fighting.


In some ways, it was understandable given his age, but again such speculation was largely rooted in the fact that Foreman was doing something that had not been seen before in Boxing in coming back after a long retirement and doing so at an advanced age. Even though the inspiration for such an attempt was likely at least in part due to the legendary former Light-Heavyweight world champion Archie Moore, who pioneered the concept of fighting to an advanced age retiring at age 49 in 1963 and who assisted in Foreman's training going as far back as the 1970’s, who was also still in his corner for many of his fights along the comeback trail, even Moore had not done what Foreman had in taking a lengthy absence from the sport to come back much further down the line.


The speculation of what Foreman would do after the Holyfield fight did not last long as he went back to the drawing board and began working his way back towards another opportunity at a world championship. While today it is unfortunately common to see fighters at times use their name recognition value as a means of trying to get opportunities to fight for world titles rather than fighting their way into that position, Foreman chose to fight three times between his return in December 1991 following his loss to Holyfield and 1993, going 3-0 with 2 Knockouts during that stretch.


This set him up for another title shot, this time the WBO World Heavyweight championship, which was vacant at the time. The shot would come against fellow “Knockout Artist" Tommy Morrison on June 7, 1993. Although the WBO was not viewed by some as a legitimate sanctioning organization at the time, it was still for a version of the World Heavyweight championship and thus, offered Foreman a chance to achieve his goal of regaining a world title.


Unlike in his previous title shot two years earlier, Foreman, 44 at the time, was considered the favorite over Morrison, who himself was making a second attempt at a world title after being on the receiving end of a brutal knockout at the hands of then unbeaten WBO world champion Ray Mercer in 1991. Perhaps because of what happened in that fight as well as Morrison's come forward style, which while exciting, also left him vulnerable to being caught and hurt by an opponent's offense, was the reason why many including yours truly felt Foreman's experience, his own punching power, and technique would be too much for the always “Game," but seemingly limited Morrison.


Despite every metric that one could use as a comparable breakdown with the exception of age seeming to tip in the favor of Foreman and the expectation of most of a short, but explosive fight for as long as it would last, Morrison went against his come forward, aggressive nature in producing what would turn out to be the performance of his career, a tactical Boxing strategy that resulted in a not so entertaining fight to defeat Foreman and win the title via twelve round unanimous decision.


As was the case following his loss to Holyfield, instinctively, many felt that this for Foreman, who had already begun to establish what would be an outstanding and respected career as a commentator working for HBO Sports two years before the Morrison fight, would be the end for him as a fighter. Although Foreman never made any official announcement, it appeared more or less confirmed when advertisements for various products including Meineke began populating both television and radio featuring “Big" George the pitchman. Foreman would also be featured in several video games as well. This would be followed by Foreman starring in his own sitcom “George" in which he played George Foster a retired boxer and former World Heavyweight champion who ran an after school program for troubled students, which ran on ABC television here in the United States from November 1993 to January 1994. While in many ways obviously inspired by Foreman’s own work as a minister in also running the George Foreman Youth and Community Center in his native Texas, which ultimately led to his returning to the ring in 1987 looking in part to keep that center open, the series, which this observer thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to watching on Tuesday nights at the time, shortly before flipping to USA Network to watch the weekly Tuesday Night Fights series, did not last long.


Perhaps the reason for that was, despite having a successful career as a broadcaster, what would eventually become a very lucrative career as a pitchman and entrepreneur including the now world famous George Foreman Grill line of products, and seemingly venturing into the general entertainment space, Foreman still had unfinished business in the Boxing ring.


In November 1994, Foreman would return once more, this time opting to use his name recognition clout to secure an opportunity for another title shot, this time against unbeaten two-time Heavyweight world champion Michael Moorer, who held the IBF/WBA unified world championship at the time. Although Foreman was criticized heavily for receiving this opportunity given what had not been a good performance against Tommy Morrison a year earlier and attempts by the World Boxing Association to prevent the fight from happening, which saw Foreman successfully defeat the WBA legally, the fight would happen on November 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


At this point in my life, I was about a year away from stumbling upon the journey that I am still on covering the sport. I was, however, very much looking forward to the fight as I do for mostly any fight that I cover or watch to this day with rare exceptions. My father was also looking forward to seeing Foreman getting one more chance to regain the title, but we both felt that after what happened against Morrison that if it were going to happen, Foreman would have to catch Moorer early.


There had been evidence in the years prior that the possibility of Foreman catching Moorer early existed, despite the champion being younger, unbeaten, and just entering his prime at the time of the bout. Both Bert Cooper, who Moorer defeated in 1992 for the vacant WBO world title and Alex Stewart, who Moorer had knocked out in one of the best fights of 1991, coincidentally two former Foreman opponents that he had defeated during his comeback period, had each come close to knocking Moorer out, and in Cooper’s case, had knocked Moorer down in their fight, before both ultimately were stopped by Moorer. Despite these facts, conventional wisdom of Moorer defeating Foreman, much like Holyfield had done three years earlier, seemed to be the opinion of most fans and experts.


For most of the fight, it appeared as though that would be the case as Moorer put forth a superb Boxing performance, using his movement and combination punching to keep Foreman off balance and unable to get his punches off consistently. As this fight was going on, my father casually told me that he felt Foreman was setting a trap and was setting Moorer up. What would follow is a memory I cherish and a memory for the Denison family that is still talked about by yours truly whenever I talk about this fight, which has also become emotional for me since losing my father any time I watch this fight back to this day.


For a significant period of my youth my family and I had a floor television that my father referred to as “The Old Girl" because it was a television encased in a large wooden cabinet that would take my father using a hand truck and someone who was physically able to spot him whenever the television had to be moved so he would not drop it or otherwise damage it. The reason I bring up that story, particularly for those who may not be old enough to remember floor televisions, is it was not uncommon to lay on the floor and watch TV during those days. Some of my favorite memories as a child were spent in front of that television with my father and my sisters. 


On the night of Moorer-Foreman, as the fight became increasingly one-sided in favor of Moorer, I began to nod off on our living room floor in front of the TV. Not because I lost interest, but likely because I got comfortable. In any event, as the fight progressed and I continued to nod off as Moorer was frankly dominating with each passing round, my father, who was sitting on the couch continued to say with conviction, “Beau, I'm telling you Foreman is setting him (Moorer) up." I did not disagree with him, but I told him that it looked like Foreman was having trouble getting his punches off. A sentiment that was echoed by the late great trainer and broadcaster Gil Clancy, who was serving as a commentator for HBO Sports in the role usually filled by Foreman. Clancy, who was empathic in the pre-fight discussions prior to the bout in saying he did not see a way Foreman could win. As the fight went on Clancy continued to drive his point home saying Foreman was a 45 year old man in a young man’s game and alluding to Foreman's inability to get his punches off consistently as attributable to slowed reflexes, which is a common issue for fighters as they age. 


As this was going on the legendary Teddy Atlas, who was Moorer’s trainer, told his charge that though he was proud of what he was seeing, to not stay in front of Foreman for too long because Atlas felt that Foreman was looking to set him up for one shot, appearing to see the same thing my father had seen from very early in the fight. By the ninth round, I was going in and out of consciousness, but I had no idea that history was looming and about to be made.


Towards that point in the fight, Moorer though still in control, had stopped using as much movement and seemed more comfortable to stand in front of Foreman, appearing to give the impression that whatever punching power Foreman had did not concern him. In round ten, Foreman gradually took control landing punches that moved Moorer into position for two one, two combinations, the second of which put Moorer flat on his back on the canvas.


When this sequence happened initially, I had nodded off and did not see it initially. My father, who was a big and imposing figure in his own right proceeded to jump over our coffee table and in a scene that likely resembled the late professional wrestler King Kong Bundy going for his finishing maneuver a big splash, my father came down onto me and roused me up screaming as loud as he could, “Beau It's Over, Foreman Won!" After having the living hell scared out of me, I turned and looked at the television and saw Moorer stretched out on the canvas and Referee Joe Cortez counting him out. Amidst the pandemonium both in the arena in Las Vegas echoed by Jim Lampley’s legendary and emotional call “It Happened, IT HAPPENED!" as well as what was occuring in the Denison household, my father grabbed and hugged me. It was one of the few times I ever saw my father cry. He was genuinely happy to see Foreman regain the title he had lost to Muhammad Ali twenty years and one month earlier in October 1974. While all the excitement was going on, Foreman did not celebrate his triumph, instead when Cortez officially waved his arms over the fallen champion, Foreman knelt in prayer. Clearly, his achievement had a much deeper meaning than simply regaining the Heavyweight championship of the world. 


The moment for my father and I would be something he would talk about for the rest of his life and called it one of his favorite nights with his son. Subsequently upon my beginning my writing journey in November 1995, I was able to cover Foreman's last three fights against Crawford Grimsley, Lou Savareese, and Shannon Briggs between 1996 and 1997 when I was a teenager, the latter a controversial decision loss to Briggs for the then 48 year old Foreman, a fight I will always believe he won, ultimately was a sour end to a great career that should serve as a testament to anyone to never give up.


As I reflect on this incredible man and what was a journey for me as well as I experienced this inspirational story unfold in real time as Foreman went on this comeback, which he also called a private quest, I think about not only the memories it provided me with my father, which I think of more now and appreciate than I can ever put into words, but also the lesson Foreman taught of never give up. For someone who was born with cerebral palsy and has gone through his own ups and downs along the way admittedly, it's a lesson that I have had to remind myself of from time to time, but it is a lesson everyone should learn.


One of the things I am proud to be noted for is as a Boxing historian, I spend just as much time in the present day watching fight films as I did in my youth and that includes continuing to watch many of Foreman's bouts both from his first chapter and from the comeback period, all of which I recommend watching. When I was informed of Foreman's passing, it did as I said hit me hard, but at the same time, it instantly brought back all those fond memories. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet George Foreman in person as I have continued covering the sport I love, which he is one of the people who inspired me. It is something that I will always regret for the simple reason that I will be unable to say thank you in person for both the inspiration and for providing me with memories with my father that I will forever cherish. Mr. Foreman, thank you for the inspiration you provided me, for giving my father and I so many memories, and for your endless contributions to the sport of Boxing, but to humanity as well. Your legacy will live forever.  God bless you. Rest well.


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 



The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.


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BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Announces Launch of Trigon Combat Amateur Series



Press Release: March 28, 2025 By BKB: Bare Knuckle Boxing  - On the heels of announcing its groundbreaking multi-fight deal with Vice and last year's acquisition of the oldest bare knuckle fighting company in the UK, BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (formerly BYB Extreme) announced today the launch of a hybrid boxing amateur development series, Trigon Combat. 


MIAMI, FLORIDA – BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB), the modern-day originators of bare knuckle fighting and largest bare knuckle fighting organization in the world, announced today the launch of “Trigon Combat,” a hybrid boxing series intended to help amateur fighters interested in competing in bare knuckle develop their skillset and transition successfully into professional ranks.

 

Overseeing the venture will be Nelson Lopez Jr., a well-respected and accomplished figure in combat sports who has served as a promoter, talent manager, and media personality who has spearheaded similar ventures in the bare knuckle boxing space.  In Trigon Combat, fighters will compete in BKB’s patented triangular Trigon ring with seven-ounce gloves. Trigon Combat will include both formal, open tryouts as well as organized competitions throughout the year throughout the US and Mexico.

 

Said Lopez "Those in our business know that I have spent almost three years developing a program and platform to give fighters a pathway to succeed in bare-knuckle boxing. Unfortunately, the organization I was previously working with didn’t value the work we were putting in to grow the sport in a meaningful way through amateur talent development."

 

"Through conversations with [BKB founder and president] Mike Vazquez, I realized that BKB—especially in the Trigon—is the perfect place for a program like this to truly grow, flourish, and succeed. BKB has a proven track record of building a smart, sustainable, and future-focused company, brick by brick. This past year has demonstrated their commitment to expanding the sport globally and investing in its future."

 

In the past two years, BKB (originally BYB) has purchased the UK-based BKB, the world’s oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, and in doing so merged the organizations to create the largest bare knuckle boxing company in the world in terms of roster, library and distribution; ushered in ethical and legalized gambling to the sport; acquired the rights to the historic and prestigious Police Gazette Diamond Belt which now serves as the Bare Knuckle Boxing World Championship; and brought bare knuckle boxing to linear television on both sides of the Atlantic, including BKB’s most recent deal with VICE TV.

 

The first Trigon Combat tryout in the United States will be held April 12 in South Carolina, and the first Trigon Combat event is scheduled for May 3 in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Interested fighters can sign-up at bkbbareknuckle.com/trigoncombat


Material and Photo Courtesy of: BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing Used with permission.




The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Wednesday, March 26, 2025

DAZN LAUNCHES POWERHOUSE SPRING SCHEDULE FEATURING 15 MARQUEE EVENTS IN 9 WEEKS

Press Release: March 26, 2025 By DAZN - Blockbuster, back-to-back nights of boxing exclusively on DAZN during Cinco de Mayo Weekend with superstars Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia headlining separate cards brought to you by Riyad Season and Ring Magazine respectively

From April 2025, content featuring Queensberry Promotions’ star-studded stable of fighters will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN to fans worldwide 

For the very first time Frank Warren’s Queensberry and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing will be united on the same broadcaster

UK fight fans can sign up now to access DAZN’s unrivalled boxing coverage and save 30% on annual subscriptions before April 7 at DAZN.com/boxing

LONDON, 25 March 2025 – DAZN Group, the global sports entertainment company and leading destination for boxing fans worldwide, today unveiled a blockbuster run of 15 major events across nine weeks cementing its place as the global home of boxing. The schedule includes back-to-back fight nights over Cinco de Mayo weekend, featuring Mexican superstars Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez on a Riyad Season card and “King” Ryan Garcia, as well as two-division champions Devin “The Dream” Haney and Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez, all in separate bouts on a Ring Magazine card. These events will be available exclusively on DAZN.


The spring calendar shows DAZN’s deep commitment to unifying the sport in one place with one subscription. It includes a wide range of content and strong partnerships with top boxing promoters such as Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, and Misfits Boxing.


In total, 19 current and former world champions will feature, with events running every week through to the end of May.


DAZN now delivers more than 185 premium fight nights per year. Subscribers also get access to major pay-per-view events, exclusive shows, behind-the-scenes content, and free highlights across social media. DAZN’s partnerships with Queensberry and Matchroom ensure a packed few months of world-class action across multiple weight divisions in the UK.


“DAZN consistently delivers an unrivaled schedule of non stop boxing action to subscribers and fight fans all around the world” said Pete Oliver, CEO of Market Growth at DAZN. “And now with Queensberry and Matchroom united under the same banner – alongside our other world leading promoters Golden Boy and Misfits – and 30% off our annual subscriptions, there is no better time to sign up to DAZN.”


DAZN’s new global deal with Queensberry Promotions kicks off on Saturday 5 April. The card includes Joe Joyce MBE vs Filip Hrgovic, and David Adeleye vs Jeamie TKV for the British Heavyweight Title. From April, Queensberry events will air exclusively on DAZN worldwide. DAZN will use its global scale, innovative tech, and marketing strength to boost the reach and profile of the promoter and its fighters.


The partnership continues in May with Anthony Cacace vs Leigh Wood for the IBO Super Featherweight Title (Saturday 10 May), and Josh Taylor’s return against Ekow Essuman (Saturday 24 May).


Matchroom Boxing adds further firepower to DAZN’s line-up. On Saturday 12 April, Jaron “Boots” Ennis faces Eimantas Stanionis in a welterweight unification bout. It follows a strong start to 2025 from Matchroom, with stand-out performances from Diego Pacheco, Andy Cruz, and Dalton Smith.


Then on Saturday 26 April, Chris Eubank Jr. takes on Conor Benn in a long-awaited Ring Magazine event powered by Fatal Fury City of the Wolves. The undercard also features former world champions Liam Smith and Chris Billam-Smith.


On Friday 2 May, Times Square hosts a star-studded event headlined by Ryan Garcia vs Rolando “Rolly” Romero for the WBA Welterweight Title. Devin Haney will face Jose Carlos Ramirez, while Teofimo Lopez meets Arnold Barboza Jr. in a clash of unbeaten super lightweights. This historic “FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves” card is the first-ever Ring Magazine event in the US. It is presented in partnership with SNK Corporation, Golden Boy Promotions, and Matchroom Boxing.


On Saturday 3 May, Canelo Álvarez returns to the ring in Riyadh. He faces undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion William Scull at the Anb Arena, as part of Riyadh Season and powered by Fatal Fury City of the Wolves.. The fight marks his debut as a Riyadh Season ambassador.


To celebrate, DAZN is offering 30% off annual plans in the UK and US from 31 March. The offer includes access to fights featuring Joyce, Taylor, Cacace, Wood, Dalton Smith, and more — all as part of your subscription. Offer ends 7 April. Visit DAZN.com/boxing to sign up.


 


Key upcoming boxing dates on DAZN include:





March 29 Poliforum Benito Juarez in Cancún, Mexico

William "El Camarón" Zepeda (31-0, 26 KOs) vs Tevin "2X" Farmer (33-7-1, 8 KOs) - 12 round WBC Interim Lightweight Championship Bout

April 5 Co-op Live Arena, Manchester, U.K. – Queensberry Promotions

Joe Joyce (16-3, 15 KOs) vs. Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs)—10-round Heavyweight Bout

David Adeleye (13-1, 12 KOs) vs Jeamie Tshikeva (8-1, 5 KOs) – 10-round vacant English Heavyweight Title

April 12 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J.  – Matchroom Boxing

Jaron “Boots” Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) vs Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) – 12-round IBF & WBA Welterweight Championship

Raymond Ford (16-1-1, 8 KOs) vs Thomas Mattice (22-4-1, 17 KOs) – 12-round WBA Continental North America Super Featherweight Bout

Arturo Cardenas (15-0-1, 8 KOs) vs Christian Carto (23-1, 16 KOs) – 12-round WBC Continental Americas Super Bantamweight Bout

Shakhram Giyasov (opponent TBA) – 10-round Welterweight Bout

April 12 X Series 22 – MFB Pro

Idris Virgo (4-0, 2 KOs) vs Ty Mitchell (1-0, 1 KOs) MFB Pro Light Heavyweight World Title

April 18 Boxlab Promotions

Dainier Peró (10-0, 8 KOs) vs TBC - Heavyweight Bout

April 19 Park Community Arena, Sheffield, UK – Matchroom Boxing

Dalton Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) vs Mathieu Germain (26-2-1, 11 KOs) – 12-round Super Lightweight Bout

Ishmael Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) vs Ryan Kelly (19-5-1, 8 KOs) – 12-round Super Welterweight Bout

April 26 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Tottenham, London – Matchroom Boxing

Chris Eubank Jr. (34-3, 25 KOs) vs. Conor Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) – 12-round Middleweight Bout

Anthony Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs) vs. Lyndon Arthur (24-2, 16 KOs) – 12-round Light Heavyweight Bout

Liam Smith (33-4-1, 20 KOs) vs. Aaron McKenna (19-0, 10 KOs) – 10-round Middleweight Bout

Chris Billam-Smith (20-2, 13 KOs) vs. Brandon Glanton (20-2, 17 KOs) – 12-round Cruiserweight Bout

Viddal Riley (12-0, 7 KOs) vs. Cheavon Clarke (10-1, 7 KOs) – 10-round Cruiserweight bout

April 26 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 

Chris Camozzi (3-1, 3 KOs) vs Lorenzo Hunt (11-2, 9 KOs) - Cruiserweight Bout

May 1 Sunbet Arena, South Africa – Legacy Boxing Promotions

Kevin Lerena (30-3, 14 KOs) vs Serhiy Radchenko (11-7, 5 KOs) – 12-round Heavyweight Bout

May 2 Times Square, NYC – Golben Boy Promotions & Matchroom Boxing

Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) vs Rolly Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) – 12-round Welterweight Bout

Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) vs Jose Carlos Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs) – 12-round Super Lightweight Bout

Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) vs Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs) – 12-round WBO Super Lightweight Championship 

May 3 Anb Arena, Saudi Arabia – SELA

Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) vs William Scull (23-0, 9 KOs) – 12-round Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship 

Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) vs Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) – 12-round WBC Cruiserweight Championship

Jamie Munguia (44-2, 35 KOs) vs Bruno Surace (26-0, 5 KOs) – Super Middleweight Bout

Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) vs Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KOs) – Heavyweight Bout

Brayan Leon (6-0, 6 KOs) vs Aaron Rocha Guerrero (11-3-1, 7 KOs) – Light Heavyweight Bout

Marco Verde (Pro debut) vs Michel Galvan Polina (4-5-3, 2 KOs) – Middleweight Bout

May 3 Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, UK – Queensberry Promotions

Anthony Cacace (23-1, 8 KOs) vs Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) – 12-round IBO World Super Featherweight Championship

May 17 Copper Box Arena, London, UK – Matchroom Boxing

Johnny Fisher (13-0, 11 KOs) vs Dave Allen (23-7-2, 18 KOs) II – Heavyweight Bout

May 23 Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, Yorkshire, UK – GBM Boxing

Terri Harper (15-2-2, 6 KOs) vs Natalie Zimmerman (13-0, 3 KOs) – 10-round Women’s WBO World Lightweight Championship

May 24 The SSE Hydro, Glasgow, UK – Queensberry Promotions

Josh Taylor (19-2, 13 KOs) vs Ekow Essuman (21-1, 8 KOs) –12-round Welterweight Bout

 


For additional information, please visit DAZN.com/boxing.


 


Material Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission. 


For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com


The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Friday, March 21, 2025

Should Boxing Have A Price Cap If The PPV Model Is Going To Continue?

One of the themes that this observer has become known for over the many years I have covered Boxing has been my long-standing criticism regarding the pay-per-view model, both here on The Boxing Truth® ️ as well as numerous outlets both online and in print through the years. The primary reason behind the criticism is in two aspects, the overuse of the model in that cards that in years gone by that would have been featured on a sports centric network or as a Friday or Saturday night attraction on a premium cable network like HBO or Showtime, have instead been reserved for pay-per-view, rather than bouts of significant public interest that were heavily promoted and treated and viewed amongst Boxing fans as special events or occasions, which leads to the second aspect. The price points, which regardless of the perceived quality of a card or the main events have only gone up as time has gone on, which has led to declining buy numbers for most pay-per-view attractions. 


This in addition to now in an era dominated by subscription-based streaming at reasonable prices for consumers, has only continued to fuel my criticism and belief that Boxing needs to adapt to the changing landscape of media, in this case, how television is transitioning away from previous methods of distribution and embrace something that will be more budget-friendly for consumers. While I have long advocated for the sport to move away from the pay-per-view model, something which I still strongly believe in, one aspect I have touched on occasion in previous writings could be worth exploring and debating once again as we have entered the spring of 2025.


What aspect am I referring to dear reader? The subject of a price cap structure if the pay-per-view model is to continue. Before I delve into things further, I feel it important to state that I feel just as strongly that under a price cap structure, the issue and frankly danger of potential over use by promoters and networks would still exist and it would therefore be something that would need to be addressed.


Now, what exactly does this observer mean by implementing a price cap structure? In simple terms, putting a cap on how much a pay-per-view card could be priced regardless of what a main event might be. While some might laugh at such an idea, it is actually not a new concept and variations of a structure have been used before throughout the world with varying degrees of success. The most prominent example at least currently would be the pricing structure for pay-per-view events in the United Kingdom that are not priced above £25 (a little over $32 in U.S. dollars). By law, prices are kept at usually between £19.99-£21.99, but do not exceed that £25 mark, or at least I have never seen it done in various advertising materials I have observed that have circulated throughout the United Kingdom for various cards/events that were distributed via pay-per-view. While the United Kingdom did not get into the pay-per-view model until the 1990’s, such a pricing structure has proven to be successful in that it is not uncommon to see a card distributed via pay-per-view there do a million buys if not more there on a regular basis, which can be directly attributed to the affordable price points.


Here in the United States, there is no set price cap structure, but there have been times where the concept has at least been flirted with. Those of us of a certain age might remember a time where advertising and marketing for pay-per-view Boxing cards would not only promote an event heavily in the days and weeks prior to it, but depending on the cable/satellite provider and pay-per-view distributor, there would be a reduced price offered to customers if one chose to order an event prior to the day it was scheduled to take place. Throughout the 1980’s and much of the 1990’s, most price points, regardless of when an event was ordered, did not exceed $40.


During the mid-1990’s, a period of time when this observer was in his teenage years, but also the period of time I began my career as a writer covering Boxing as well as other combat sports, I spent time living in the New York area, and one thing about that time that sticks in my mind even over thirty years later, was the cable provider I had access to at the time did a few experimental things with regard to their Boxing pay-per-view offerings that should have been groundbreaking and somewhat of what I think could be achieved under a price cap structure if implemented properly.


At the time, Mike Tyson was in the midst of his comeback and seemingly after every Tyson card, which were often full top to bottom with competitive fights, there would inevitably be complaints that the fight did not last long enough to justify what was then seen as an expensive price point. (Between $34.95-$44.95 depending on cable provider/pay-per-view distributor.) Where I was at the time, my family and I had access to one of the numerous variations of cable providers that did business under the Cablevision banner. Both due to the length of time between back then and when this column is being penned by yours truly, I am unclear as to whether this was the main Cablevision provider in the New York area or an affiliate of that provider. I point this out for accuracy purposes. 


The concept that Cablevision came up with was a $9.95 per round idea. Before anyone misunderstands this idea, what it was, was one where say if a pay-per-view card was priced at $50, what they would do is have the concept that if the main event ended before round six, there would be a reduced price for the event. Meaning, if the main event ended in the first round the cost to those who ordered it would be $9.95. If it went five full rounds then they would pay the full $50 price, but it would be capped at that price point meaning that if a fight went six rounds or beyond, the price did not exceed $50. Cablevision was also the first cable provider in my recollection to experiment with the idea of packaging for pay-per-view events. For context, some may not remember that back in the mid to late 1990’s, both Showtime and HBO through their respective pay-per-view divisions Showtime Event Television (SET Pay-Per-View) and TVKO (Later renamed HBO Pay-Per-View) did cards on a seemingly rotating basis. If not every one to two months, it seemed as though they would at minimum rotate fiscal quarters where one would stage a pay-per-view card followed by the other in the next either month, bi-month, or fiscal quarter. 


In an attempt to follow up on their $9.95 per round concept for a time, Cablevision decided to offer pay-per-view Boxing events as a package. Say for example there were four separate pay-per-view cards on the calendar for the upcoming months. The cable provider would offer those events as a package for one price, while also giving the customer the option if they did not want to purchase the package to purchase them separately at each event’s respective full price. While I am not certain as to how long this concept lasted as I was in the process of moving at the time, it should show that there was at least the idea of offering value to the consumer for a single set price even as far back as thirty years ago long before the concept of streaming became mainstream. 


With that trip for this observer down memory lane concluded, the question is should a pricing cap structure be implemented here in the global streaming era as consumers move away from traditional cable/satellite television and towards subscription-based streaming and with pay-per-view distributors like InDemand (Formerly Viewer’s Choice) preparing to cease operations if pay-per-view is to continue to exist beyond 2025. The main hurdle obviously would be for promoters and networks to if not so much to agree to such a structure, but also to do so regardless of who might be on the card in order to put an emphasis on value for the consumer. While one would think the evidence of declining buy numbers and the issue of one aspect everyone including those of us who cover the sport do not like discussing, piracy, would be enough to bring all the above to the table both for their benefit as well as the overall health of the sport, it is a difficult task if nothing else because of each network’s and respective promoters vested interest. 


Recently, however, those behind the Riyadh Season-promoted Boxing cards staged in Saudi Arabia and throughout the world have seemed to gradually start implementing if not a price cap structure of it’s pay-per-view cards, at least a budget-friendly one for it’s pay-per-view cards with prices being under $30 in most cases. Although this is not a set structure as of this writing, at minimum, it shows that at least one promoter or brand is seeing the need to adapt. Adaptation, however, does not always mean that cards will be overwhelmingly successful even at a reduced/budget-friendly price point and should like everything else be viewed on a case-by-case basis. 


The recent pay-per-view card headlined by the rematch for the Undisputed World Light-Heavyweight championship between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, which was priced at $26.99 on DAZN Pay-Per-View here in the United States reportedly did 45,000 total buys. While not a reflection or either fighter’s standing in the sport, it is important to keep in mind that their first encounter in October of last year was offered free in the United States via ESPN+, while the undercard was offered as a $19.99 pay-per-view on DAZN. Whether the fact that the first fight being offered free as part of an ESPN+ subscription negatively impacted buys for the rematch, despite the full card being available on one platform globally rather than split between two platforms with a combination of included with subscription and paid add-on, is subject to debate. 


This observer feels it is more an indication that the number of cards offered on pay-per-view needs to be reduced if not outright done away with, which the latter I maintain would be better both for the sport and consumers in the long run. The problem then becomes both how would the number of cards be reduced and would promoters and networks be willing to keep the remaining slate of cards on subscription-based models like the one DAZN has, regardless of who might be on the top of those cards in order to keep pay-per-view offerings to a minimum where the concept can be both budget-friendly and viewed as special occasions in the sport where folks might be more willing to pay for those events legally. 


Unfortunately, regardless of how budget-friendly events are priced there will always be those who will look for free access to events. Although I am not one who supports the mentality of looking for not so legal workarounds to access events, I do sympathize with those who feel Boxing pay-per-views has become to expensive, which is one reason why I am in favor of replacing pay-per-view with reasonably priced subscription-based alternatives, which offer more content and value for the price rather than a pay-per-view on a per event basis model. As far as how things can be reduced, I believe that those who insist on the pay-per-view model should look back at how things were done in the 1980’s and for part of the 1990’s where the vast majority of Boxing events were split between either free over the air broadcast television on networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and for a time Fox, and premium cable networks like HBO, Showtime, and basic cable networks like USA Network and ESPN. Those that were reserved for pay-per-view were considered major events, to the point where if one of the aforementioned networks did not produce those events and have a prearranged agreement in place, saw lucrative deals for rebroadcast/replay rights, were reasonably priced and were not frequently used so the value to the consumer remained.



Even now in a digital streaming era, it is important to keep value to the consumer as the main priority. Perhaps what should happen would amount to a reset of the model back to what it was in the aforementioned period, but with the difference being it taking place on streaming networks/platforms rather than free over the air television or premium/basic cable networks. Whether that means pay-per-view being used four times a year, which would amount to once per fiscal quarter or maybe between six or eight times a year, subscription-based models should be seen as the main selling point where pay-per-view is used strictly for special occasions even though they will be hosted on the same platforms. It will come down to whether those in the sport can for lack of a better term, get out of their own way and realize that things need to change, if they can set their respective egos aside, they should also realize that it will benefit themselves, the sport, and the fighters that compete in it in the long run. In the meantime, I would like to see most of the Boxing pay-per-view offerings capped under $40 regardless of whether it is offered via DAZN, ESPN+, or Prime Video.


Although that $40 figure is only a suggestion from someone who truly cares about the sport and wants to see it grow and thrive, and obviously in the case of DAZN and Prime Video, would vary by country given that they are global network platforms, I believe if pay-per-view is not used too often and is capped at $40 and not used as a starting price point, but the cap that it will not exceed,, at minimum things might improve, despite subscription-based models, which already exist offering better value and will only benefit those networks in the long term.


“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”


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Wednesday, March 19, 2025

MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS SIGNS UNDISPUTED SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION ALYCIA BAUMGARDNER

MVP continues to elevate women's boxing with the signing of one of the sport's biggest stars ahead of its historic all-women's mega card at Madison Square Garden on Friday, July 11

Press Release: March 18, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions -  NEW YORK, NY – March 18, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the signing of reigning undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner (15-1, 7 KOs), one of the most electrifying superstars in boxing today. Baumgardner’s signing marks another major milestone for MVP, during Women’s History Month, as it continues to build the strongest roster of elite female fighters in boxing, reinforcing co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian’s mission to elevate and expand the platform for women’s boxing.



MVP’s signing of Baumgardner continues the company’s groundbreaking investments in women’s boxing, including the recent signing of boxing legend and seven-division champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano to a lifetime contract with MVP that will see Serrano become chairwoman of MVP’s women’s boxing initiatives following her in-ring retirement.



Alycia Baumgardner is the Undisputed Super-Featherweight Champion of the World and one of the most dominant athletes in boxing. Born in Fremont, Ohio, and of German, Korean, and African-American descent, she has built a career defined by power, precision, and resilience. Her success is fueled not only by her relentless work ethic but also by her deep faith, which guides her journey both in and out of the ring.



Baumgardner turned professional in 2017, making an immediate impact with a first-round TKO victory. In November 2021, she shocked the boxing world by knocking out Terri Harper in Sheffield, England, to claim the WBC and IBO World Titles. She continued her rise, securing wins over Edith Matthysse and Mikaela Mayer in October 2022, adding the WBO and IBF belts to her collection. In February 2023, she became undisputed, defeating Elhem Mekhaled in New York to claim the WBA title. In July 2023, Baumgardner avenged her only career loss with a dominant win over Christina Linardatou in Detroit, successfully defending her undisputed crown. She returned in September 2024 against Delfine Persoon, scoring an early knockdown before an accidental clash of heads led to a no-contest ruling.



Outside the ring, Baumgardner is breaking barriers for women, proving that skill, strength, and marketability can coexist at the highest level. Her faith remains at the center of everything she does, keeping her grounded and focused on the bigger picture. With an unshakable mindset and a purpose greater than herself, she continues to push the sport forward, building a legacy that extends far beyond the championship belts.



“I’ve always believed in betting on myself, and signing with MVP is the next big move in that journey,” said Alycia Baumgardner. “MVP has proven they’re leaders in women’s boxing, creating the biggest opportunities for fighters like me to shine. This partnership is a natural fit—not just for my career but for the impact we’re making on the sport. The future just got even bigger.”


“MVP is strategically building a roster of fighters who deliver the W both inside and outside the ring, and we are thrilled to welcome Alycia to the family as our newest women’s world champion,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Alycia is a one of the premier athletes in combat sports and signing her is a meaningful accomplishment for our promotion as we now have exclusive relationships with 2 of the top 5 boxers in the world. We look forward to Alyicia’s MVP debut and are actively evaluating the right timing and event for her return to the ring.”


Baumgardner joins MVP’s elite roster of superstar athletes and up-and-coming stars including international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul, boxing trailblazer and unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano, prolific top boxing prospect H2O Sylve, MVP’s first homegrown champion, the new WBO Super Middleweight Champion, Shadasia “The Sweet Terminator” Green, multi-talented megastar Javon “Wanna” Walton, India’s most successful professional boxer Neeraj Goyat, Puerto Rican sensation Krystal Rosado, three-time US national boxing champion and high-fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro, Puerto Rican National Team star Jan Paul Rivera, top-ranked lightweight “Prince” Lucas Bahdi, two-time Canadian Olympian, amateur world champion, and #8-ranked WBA middleweight contender, Tamm Thibeault, and undefeated bantamweight prospect Alexander “The Alley Cat” Gueche.  



Founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, MVP aims to give athletes creative control, and aims to identify, grow, and maximize return for its talent partners and events. Together, Paul and Bidarian have architected Jake Paul’s meteoric rise in combat sports. In 2021, MVP signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, who has since achieved historic milestones, including becoming Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed champion and competing in the first unified women’s championship fight contested over 12 three-minute rounds—the men’s championship standard—held in October 2023. Her historic clash against Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2022 earned recognition as Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year, The Ring’s Event of the Year, and was further nominated for Event of the Year by Sports Business Journal. The event marked a pivotal point in women’s sports history as the first time women have headlined a main event at the world-renowned venue in New York City. 



MVP’s recent collaboration with Netflix broke records with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson mega-event, which is now the most-streamed sporting event ever, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams globally, with 38 million in the U.S. The event drew an average minute audience (AMA) of 108 million live viewers globally, which grew to 125 million (Live+1) over the weekend. Co-headlining the historic card, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2 became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history, with an AMA of 47 million viewers domestically and 74 million globally. The event also ranked as the #1 title on Netflix in 78 countries, including the U.S., UK, Brazil, and India, and trended as the #1 topic worldwide on X during the event. Joe Hand Promotions reported that over 1 million viewers watched from 6,000 bars and restaurants in the U.S., breaking commercial distribution records.



For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul, and @alyciambaum, or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @alyciabaumgardner.



About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)


MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.


Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission. 


The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Monday, March 17, 2025

Thunderdome 49 Results From Metro City, Perth, Australia

Credit: Mike O'Hara Dragon Fire Boxing 

Press Release: March 7, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing  -  Last Friday (March 14th,) Thunderdome 49 had an exciting night of fights to kick off 2025 for Dragon Fire Promotions.

 

The main event saw Josh Byrne pick up his first state title after defeating Habib Kheriakah in an action-packed war.

 

The card also saw undefeated fighters Ryan Daye and Owen Corrigan pick up wins, as they prepare for bigger opportunities 

 

Josh Byrne claims state title glory with victory over Habib Kheriakah

 

In the main event, Josh Byrne scored a victory over Habib Kheriakah by unanimous decision to claim his first state championship.

 

After winning his first two professional fights last year, Josh Byrne had set his sights on a state title, making it his key goal for 2025. However, it came as a shock to many when the Aussie was given the title shot in the first event of the year .

 

With some alterations to the card, which saw Joel Lewis and Jude Grant withdrawing from their fights, Byrne was given a main event slot for the first time in his short career.

 

Byrne proved that he was worthy of that spot when he claimed the belt  in an absolute barn burner of a fight.

 

The fight started fast, with both men coming at each other with a full head of steam. Kheriakah fought on the front foot swinging wildly, looking to surprise the teenager.

 

Byrne being the more composed of the two, often found a home for his lead right hand whether that be a jab or hook.

 

Midway into the fight, Byrne had more success when he was throwing the left hook to the body and even hurt Kheriakah in the final minute of round three.

 

In the later rounds, the hooks to the body from Byrne were having more of an effect on his opponent who looked to be running out of ideas.

 

Byrne’s cardio had also held up well, as he kept throwing flurries of crosses and hooks until the final bell.

 

When the scorecards were read, it was Josh Byrne who was given the lopsided unanimous decision victory and the WA State Welterweight Championship.

 

With time on his side and a state title on his resume, the future looks bright for this young and exciting prospect.

 

Owen Corrigan defeats Liang Wang to remain undefeated 

 

In the co-main event, Ireland’s Owen Corrigan kept his undefeated record intact with a decision victory over Liang Wang.

 

In November of last year, Owen “Bomber” Corrigan made an emphatic statement in his professional debut after scoring a knockout victory over King Fahd.

 

Looking to carry on his momentum, Corrigan took on China’s Liang Wang. Although this fight was a lot harder than his debut, the Irishman was able to win the competitive bout by decision.

 

For the first two rounds, Corrigan used jabs and lead hooks to dictate the tempo, while using his superior movement to stay out of range.

 

Being the smaller man, Liang tried to pressure the Irish boxer but he didn't land anything flush apart from a right overhand at the end of the second round.

 

Liang had more success with his pressure in round three, where he started to back his opponent into the ropes. 

 

In response to the attack, Corrigan start to move his opponent backwards in the fourth round, but Wang did well to fire back before the final bell.

 

Before the cards were read out, most of the fans in attendance were wondering how the judges would score the fight. 

 

Whether it was Corrigan’s efficiency or Wang’s aggression that secured the win.

 

But Owen Corrigan was revealed as the winner by unanimous decision, to a stunning reception from the Irish boxing fans in attendance.

 

The win for the Irishman advanced his record to 2-0.

 

Ryan Daye runs through Rivo Kundaming to prepare for Tim Tszyu undercard 

 

Earlier in the card Ryan Daye remained undefeated with a win over Rivo Kundaming.

 

The win gives Daye a huge momentum boost as he prepares to fight on the Tim Tszyu vs Joey Spencer undercard in Newcastle next month.

 

After his come from behind KO victory over Fano Kori back in August, Perth’s Ryan Daye was seen as a fighter to watch in the Australian boxing scene.

 

Last month, it was announced the Perth native would be getting his shot under the bright lights over east, by fighting on Tim Tszyu’s undercard.

 

Before that fight however, Daye needed to make a statement against Indonesia’s Rivo Kundaming and he did just that with a complete demolition of his opponent.

 

The fight started very aggressively from Daye, who did a great job of mixing up his shots and staying unpredictable.

 

Throughout the first round, Daye entered into the pocket with jabs before ripping his opponent to the body and it was clear to see that Kundaming had no answer for the onslaught.

 

Daye opened the second round with another flurry to the body which dropped his Indonesian opponent to the ground.

 

As Kundaming was wincing in pain, the referee stopped the fight before he finished his count, giving Daye yet another stoppage victory.

 

In his post-fight interview, Daye revealed to the fans in attendance that he was fighting in Newcastle stating that “he was taking every opportunity with both hands.”

 

It is safe to say that Daye’s next fight will be the biggest of his career and with this win, he is riding the perfect wave of momentum.

 

Full Card Results

 

Josh Byrne defeated Habib Kheriakah by unanimous decision the win the WA State Welterweight Championship 

 

Owen Corrigan defeated Liang Wang by unanimous decision 

 

Billy Quincroft defeated Alex Muster by first-round KO

 

Jye Chin defeated Jack Briggs by unanimous decision

 

Charlie Burca defeated Shomeek Saha by unanimous decision 

 

Bilal Seidu defeated Will Cleggett by majority decision 

 

Sam Rennie defeated Dedi Imprax by third-round KO

 

Binny Folan defeated Rusty Oates by split decision 

 

Gabriel Ichkanian defeated Darren Quincroft by second-round TKO

 

Ryan Daye defeated Rivo Kundaming by second-round KO

 

Devon Kelly defeated Tanaka Saburi by split decision

 

Riley Sparks defeated Marvelous Aligba by unanimous decision (Exhibition Fight)

 

Rigor Angles defeated Mitch Arnold by unanimous decision


Material Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing/ Photo Courtesy of: Mike O’Hara Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.



The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Schedule Update

We would like to let our readers know that we are between rounds and will resume our regular schedule on Monday, March 17th. From there, we will conclude the remainder of March before taking another pause during the first week of April. In the interim, any content that is sent in to us from promoters, networks, and others within the sport of Boxing will be made available to readers here on the website as they come in. Stay tuned.


“And That's The Boxing Truth." 



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Thursday, March 6, 2025

Taylor-Serrano 3 To Headline July 11th Card On Netflix In Madison Square Garden



Press Release: March 6, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix - Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix today announced Taylor vs. Serrano 3, the highly anticipated trilogy bout between Ireland’s pound-for-pound great, undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs), and Brooklyn’s Puerto Rican boxing trailblazer, unified featherweight world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs). This historic fight, an MVP event, will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix at no additional cost to its 300+ million subscribers on Friday, July 11 from Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. Taylor vs. Serrano 3 headlines the first-ever all women’s professional boxing card at the iconic venue, airing live on Netflix as the MVP continues its commitment to elevating women in the sport.


Taylor vs. Serrano 3 marks the third chapter in one of boxing’s fiercest rivalries, pitting the sport’s two biggest female stars against each other once more in a women’s super lightweight undisputed championship fight contested over 10, two-minute rounds. Their first clash in April 2022 made history as the first women’s fight to headline Madison Square Garden, earning global acclaim and winning Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022. Taylor vs. Serrano was also nominated for Sports Business Journal’s Event of the Year, a testament to the global reach and power of the event. Their rematch at AT&T Stadium in November 2024, streamed on Netflix, shattered records with 74 million average viewers globally, becoming the most-watched women’s sporting event in U.S. history and was named the 2024 Women’s Fight of the Year by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Boxing Scene. Now, ESPN’s pound-for-pound #2 Taylor and #3 Serrano return to The Garden where their rivalry began, with all of Taylor’s undisputed super lightweight belts on the line again. This event, promoted by Most Valuable Promotions, underscores a groundbreaking commitment to women’s boxing during Women’s History Month, not only featuring the first-ever all-women’s card in MSG history but also setting a new financial standard for female fighters with Taylor and Serrano set to receive record-breaking purses, continuing to raise the benchmark as the highest-paid female fighters of all time. Pre-sale ticket signups are available now HERE, with the official on-sale date to be announced soon.


Irish sensation Katie Taylor (24-1, 6 KOs) looks to add another remarkable chapter to her incredible boxing career as she takes on Amanda Serrano for the third time in a historic trilogy. Taylor, a Matchroom fighter and Olympic gold medalist from Bray, Ireland, defeated Serrano at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in April 2022 in a stunning fight of the year contest that saw Taylor successfully defend her then-undisputed lightweight title. The fight cemented Taylor and Serrano as the two highest-paid women in combat sports history, each earning seven-figure purses. Taylor’s reign continued as the pair faced off again in their November 2024 rematch, where she edged Serrano in a close decision again setting viewership records. Taylor first won the undisputed lightweight title at Madison Square Garden against Belgian Delfine Persoon in 2019, then became a two-weight undisputed champion in November 2023, overcoming Chantelle Cameron in a rematch of their first closely fought battle in April 2023, with both fights taking place at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Taylor first got her hands on world honors in her seventh pro fight, claiming the vacant WBA Lightweight title in Cardiff against Anahi Sanchez in October 2017, and has been in 18 straight world title contests since that night. Her trilogy fight with Serrano now promises to elevate women’s boxing further, headlining an all-women’s card that reflects her long-standing mission to grow the sport.


“I want to thank everyone at Matchroom, MVP and Netflix for getting the trilogy over the line and I can't wait to headline at MSG again in July,” said Katie Taylor. “I’m 2 and 0 against Amanda but it's obviously a very special rivalry that delivers every time we step in the ring so I think it's only right that we have the trilogy. The atmosphere for the first fight there was amazing and I'm sure it won't be any different this time around. The numbers that got to see the last fight in November were incredible so hopefully those people will all want to tune in for the trilogy fight as well and we can deliver another great fight.”


Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) is the first-ever Puerto Rican undisputed world champion and the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history, recognized by the Guinness World Records for the most boxing world championships won by a female in different weight classes. Serrano is Most Valuable Promotions’ first signee, who recently signed the first ever lifetime combat sports contract with MVP and will become Chairwoman of MVP’s women's boxing initiatives to lead the company’s efforts in identifying, signing, developing and marketing the promotion’s growing roster of female athletes post her in-ring retirement. Serrano faced off against Katie Taylor for the first time at Madison Square Garden in 2022. Following the historic bout, Serrano defeated Sarah Mahfoud and Erika Cruz en-route to becoming the undisputed featherweight champion. She successfully defended her undisputed title in August 2023 against Heather Hardy before making history again, defeating Danila Ramos in October 2023 in the first-ever women’s unified world championship contested over 12 three-minute rounds — equal to a men’s championship fight. She threw a career-high 1,103 punches in the bout, solidifying her status as a trailblazer for gender equality in boxing. In recognition of her achievements inside and outside the ring, Serrano was named the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Female Fighter of the Year for 2023, as well as Sports Illustrated’s and Boxing Scene’s 2023 Women’s Fighter of the Year. She continued her dominance in July 2024, scoring a second-round knockout victory over Stevie Morgan in a super lightweight bout.


Serrano went on to face Katie Taylor in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in modern history in the co-main event of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on Netflix in November 2024. The undisputed super lightweight title fight ended in a razor-thin decision victory for Taylor — sparking global debate and skyrocketing Serrano’s social following by over 1.2 million, making her the most-followed female boxer in the world. #Serrano also trended at #2 on X in the U.S., Brazil, Spain, and Canada post-fight, further cementing her status as a global icon. Serrano now brings her relentless power and unparalleled resume back to Madison Square Garden to command the world’s attention once again on Netflix, breaking barriers for women in combat sports and setting the stage for this historic trilogy atop an all-women’s mega-event.


“I promised my fans they would see this trilogy, and I’m incredibly grateful that we get to complete our journey where it all began — at Madison Square Garden, live on Netflix for the world to see,” said Amanda Serrano. “I’m disappointed that Katie Taylor did not keep her word and make the trilogy 12 three-minute rounds, equal to the men. This is a record-setting payday for both of us, and we owed it to the fans to honor the handshake deal we made. She didn’t. But make no mistake, every time we share the ring, it is war, and I know Friday, July 11, will be the greatest yet because I will finally get the official W I deserve. Headlining an all-female card at MSG, representing both New York and Puerto Rico, is something I never thought would be possible, and it wouldn’t be without Nakisa Bidarian, Jake Paul, and MVP’s commitment to elevating women’s boxing. I’m proud to stand alongside all the talented women on this card, and I hope our fight inspires young girls everywhere to keep believing in themselves and never stop chasing their dreams.”


“This is more than just a fight — it’s a celebration of the unmatched talent of women in boxing,” said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor have already shattered barriers and inspired millions, and this trilogy fight at the iconic Madison Square Garden will be another historic step forward for women’s sports. This all-women’s card is not only a testament to how far the sport has come but also the beginning of an even greater push from MVP to elevate the next generation of female fighters. Unlike other incumbents in boxing, we have, are, and will always champion women as equals to men, treating them with supreme respect and we will never compromise on those values. Thank you to Netflix and MSG. We’re honored to bring this groundbreaking event to life and remain steadfast in our mission to build and invest in lasting opportunities for women in boxing. This event is the definition of W.”


"Taylor-Serrano 2 was not just one of the most thrilling fights I've ever witnessed; it also made history as the most-watched professional women's sports event in the US," said Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer. "At Netflix we're proud to continue to elevate the profile of women athletes and to bring another historic event to our global audience with MVP."


"Madison Square Garden has been home to the biggest boxing matches in history – including the ‘Fight of the Century,’ and the 2022 bout between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano,” said Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events and Operations, MSG Entertainment. “We are proud to welcome these extraordinary athletes back to The World’s Most Famous Arena for another historic moment with our first-ever all-female professional boxing card.”


Netflix is the premier home for great sports entertainment. From fan-favorite hits like Formula 1: Drive to Survive, UNTOLD, Quarterback, Starting 5, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and Tour de France to inspiring stories such as Beckham, Simone Biles Rising and Court of Gold, Netflix delivers unmatched sports storytelling. Later this year Netflix is set to debut America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys along with follow-docs covering SEC college football, MLB’s Boston Red Sox, and Rafael Nadal’s farewell tennis season. Netflix became the new home of WWE Raw in 2025, the global home of the NFL's two Christmas Day games in 2024 (through 2026), and secured the exclusive US rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup for 2027 and 2031.


Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix redefined sports history in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. That event shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally, while Taylor vs. Serrano 2 averaged 74 million viewers, 56 million peak concurrent views, and claimed the title of the most-watched women’s sporting event in US history with an average minute audience (AMA) of 47 million in the US. Now, MVP and Netflix bring boxing back to the Garden with Taylor vs. Serrano 3, headlining an all-women’s card that reinforces their commitment to elevating women in sports. Additional details, including the undercard, will be announced in the coming weeks.


Taylor vs. Serrano 3 is produced, marketed, and promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and distributed by Netflix. Fans can sign up for ticket updates HERE.


For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions and @Netflix, on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions and @Netflix, or on Netflix’s Tudum.





About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP has produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano, in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April 2022 when Serrano went head-to-head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix, which became the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., the 8th most-bought pay-per-view event in history.


About Netflix 

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with over 300 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films, and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause, and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.


Material and Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix Used with permission.



The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.



 

























Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Future Hall of Famer Amanda Serrano Signs Lifetime Combat Sports Contract With Most Valuable Promotions

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions 



Press Release: March 5, 2025 By Most Valuable Promotions - NEW YORK, NY – March 4, 2025 –  In a first-of-its-kind landmark deal, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today signed boxing legend and record-breaking seven-division world champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (47-3-1, 31 KOs) to a lifetime agreement. The agreement will see Serrano compete under the MVP banner for the rest of her boxing career until she retires. Post her in-ring retirement, Serrano will become the Chairwoman of MVP’s women's boxing initiatives and lead the company’s efforts in identifying, signing, developing and marketing the promotion’s growing roster of female athletes. As someone who has broken barriers throughout her career and fought for equality, Serrano will continue that mission by empowering future generations, serving as both a role model and mentor for rising female fighters.


Serrano is the first-ever Puerto Rican undisputed world champion and the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history. Following in the footsteps of her sister, former world champion Cindy Serrano, Amanda turned pro in 2009, claiming her first title just over two years into her career. From 2011 to 2019, she captured world titles across seven weight divisions, earning recognition from Guinness World Records for the most boxing world championships won by a female in different weight classes. Serrano’s current featherweight reign began with a 10-round victory over Heather Hardy in 2019 to claim the WBO belt, which she has successfully defended six times since.


Jake Paul first met Amanda Serrano by chance in 2020, when she fought on the undercard of his pro debut. Impressed by her third-round stoppage win, Paul kept a close eye on Serrano’s career. When he and Nakisa Bidarian founded MVP, they made women's boxing a core tenet of their mission. They invited Serrano to fight as Paul’s co-main event in 2021, where she received overwhelming fan support. Recognizing her talent and potential to elevate women’s boxing, Paul and Bidarian signed Serrano one month later, working to build her brand and amplify her visibility. Their goal was clear: to disrupt the status quo and bring women’s boxing to the mainstream — with Serrano leading the charge.


Serrano’s second fight after signing with MVP, against Katie Taylor at Madison Square Garden in 2022, made history as the first women’s bout to headline the iconic venue. The historic clash ended in a narrow split decision in Taylor’s favor and earned global acclaim, winning Sports Illustrated’s Fight of the Year and The Ring’s Event of the Year for 2022. The event’s impact extended beyond boxing, earning a nomination for Sports Business Journal’s Event of the Year, highlighting its worldwide reach and significance.


Following that historic bout, Serrano defeated Sarah Mahfoud in Manchester, England, adding the Dane’s IBF title to her WBO, WBC, and IBO featherweight belts. She then cemented her legacy with a blood-soaked victory over WBA featherweight champion Erika Cruz in February 2023, becoming the undisputed featherweight champion. Serrano, the first ever undisputed champion from Puerto Rico, defended her title for the first time in August 2023, earning a decisive 10-round unanimous decision victory over Heather Hardy in a redemption bout. In October 2023, Serrano made history again, defeating Danila Ramos by unanimous decision in the first-ever women’s unified world championship contested over 12 three-minute rounds — equal to a men’s championship fight. She threw a career-high 1,103 punches in the bout, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer for gender equality in boxing. In recognition of her achievements inside and outside the ring, Serrano was named the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Female Fighter of the Year for 2023, as well as Sports Illustrated’s and Boxing Scene’s 2023 Women’s Fighter of the Year. She continued her dominance in July 2024, scoring a second-round knockout victory over Stevie Morgan in a super lightweight bout.



Serrano went on to face Katie Taylor in the most anticipated women’s boxing rematch in modern history, battling for the undisputed super lightweight championship. Taylor vs. Serrano 2 served as the co-main event of MVP’s Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson card on Netflix in November 2024. The fight shattered records, becoming the most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history, with 74 million live viewers globally, 56 million peak concurrent views, and an average minute audience (AMA) of 47 million in the U.S. The bout, named 2024 Women’s Fight of the Year by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Boxing Scene, ended in a razor-thin decision victory for Taylor — sparking global debate and skyrocketing Serrano’s social following by over 1.2 million, making her the most-followed female fighter in the world. #Serrano also trended at #2 on X in the U.S., Brazil, Spain, and Canada post-fight, further cementing her status as a global icon.



Amanda Serrano and her manager Jordan Maldonado previously entered a partnership with MVP in March 2024 to identify, sign, and develop Puerto Rican fighters with MVP. In 2024, this led to MVP’s first two events on the island and signing of three rising Puerto Rican stars, Serrano’s protegee and the #12-ranked WBA flyweight Krystal Rosado (5-0, 2 KOs), the WBA’s #11 featherweight and WBO Youth Featherweight champion Jan Paul Rivera (11-0, 6 KOs), and three-time US national boxing champion and high fashion model Alexis “Chop Chop” Chaparro (3-0, 3 KOs). MVP will continue spotlighting Puerto Rican talent and bringing further events and opportunities to the island. 


Serrano’s success has also made her a sought-after figure for brand partnerships. In 2024, she teamed up with Verizon’s Total Wireless ahead of Taylor vs. Serrano 2, securing her first-ever cell phone as part of the deal. That same year, she partnered with Subway Puerto Rico and joined CELSIUS’ roster of athletes, adding to a growing slate of corporate sponsorships across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including Dodge Puerto Rico and popular supermarket chain Econo. Serrano’s combined earnings from fights and endorsements have surpassed eight figures — an achievement she reached within just three years of signing with Most Valuable Promotions under the leadership of Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul. Her groundbreaking success has not only elevated her career but also paved the way for future generations of female fighters to thrive both inside and outside the ring.


“Signing this lifetime deal with MVP means I can continue fighting — not just in the ring, but for the next generation of women in combat sports,” said Amanda Serrano. “MVP has always been committed to elevating female fighters, from being the first women to headline Madison Square Garden to breaking viewership records for women's sports or making history with 12 three-minute rounds. Together, we’ve shown the world that women deserve equal pay, equal rounds, and equal respect. I’m proud to build my legacy with MVP and excited to stay on after I retire as a fighter to deepen MVP’s impact and help create even more opportunities for women in the sport.”



“Amanda Serrano is the heart and soul of MVP. Her relentless drive, historic achievements, and passion for uplifting other fighters are everything we are looking for in both signees and as future decision makers alongside us at MVP,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. “Amanda has paved the way for female fighters worldwide, shattering glass ceilings and demanding equality at every step. We are so fortunate to have her as both a fighter and a trailblazer who will continue to shape the sport long after she retires from the ring. This lifetime agreement is a testament to our belief in Amanda, not just as an athlete but as a visionary leader who will help guide MVP’s future and inspire generations to come.”



"Amanda’s journey is about more than titles and accolades. It’s about breaking barriers and lifting up the next generation of fighters,” said Jordan Maldonado. “I’ve been in Amanda’s corner since the beginning as she’s fought for every opportunity, becoming the most decorated fighter in women’s boxing history and the pride of Puerto Rico as their first undisputed champion. Working with MVP has transformed her career and legacy and there is no place we would rather be. MVP isn't just a company for us, it is our family. This lifetime agreement ensures Amanda can create those same opportunities for women around the world, long after she hangs up the gloves."



For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @JakePaul and @Serranosisters or on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @JakePaul, and @serranosisters.




About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)


MVP was founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. With the mission to provide more creative control to fighters, MVP works to identify, grow, and maximize return for its own events and talent partners. One year into its inception, MVP was nominated as one of the prestigious Sports Breakthroughs of the Year in 2022 by Sports Business Journal. MVP have produced Jake Paul’s last six global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Perry match. The promotion company also signed one of the most decorated Hispanic athletes of all time, Amanda Serrano in its first year. Serrano and MVP made history in April of 2022 when Serrano went head to head with Katie Taylor, marking the first female fight to headline at Madison Square Garden, earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. MVP made history again in November 2024 with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2, the first-ever live professional sports event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson streamed live globally on Netflix and shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of Paul vs. Tyson and the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.


Material and Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.



The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.