Top Rank is beginning an alliance with streaming giant DAZN, and word dropped Monday that it is a multi-year deal. A presser at NY’s Madison Square Garden ran to herald the new platform deal for Bob Arum and company, and we heard from the 94-year-old impresario himself only via tape.
For good reason, it turns out, as the Las Vegas/CA resident is healing up from a left knee replacement. “For an old guy, I’m doing good,” the Bobfather told me via phone not long after the NYC event ended.
The knee surgery was two months ago, and symmetry has been achieved, as the businessman had his right knee replaced 12 years ago.
He was kind enough to offer a bit more clarity regarding the size and specs of the TR-DAZN marriage, which has been described as 8-10 shows annually, to much more than that.
I wondered: is DAZN THE HOME or a home to Top Rank fare? Arum said specifics are being ironed out regarding the length of the alliance and such. “We’re getting to know DAZN,” Arum said, noting that terms will be discussed and agreed upon today and tonight.
As of now, Arum told me, fight fans will be able to see the Top Rank roster on display on DAZN, and also on other platforms, as has been the case since TR and ESPN ended their arrangement last July. “We have some terrific guys,” he said, after Emiliano Vargas, Abdullah Mason, Shu Shu Carrington, and Keyshawn Davis sat with Top Rank executive Todd DuBoef and DAZN executive Pete Oliver, presided over by DAZN broadcaster Chris Mannix. “As we build with DAZN, it’s going to be like the ESPN deal was,” Arum said.
How much like, how many dates, and the like, will get sorted.
And the start: May, or June? “We’re meeting with DAZN to figure out the starting date,” the Brooklyn-born ex-attorney said. He said to see how it plays out, being that the TR-ESPN hook-up was elongated not long after initial terms were hashed out. “It’ll be at least a couple of years,” Arum said of the new DAZN relationship.
Arum sounded fired up, ready to rumble again. “We have a great crew,” he said of his company personnel, and also the DAZN hierarchy. “Life goes on, I’m not 64, I’m 94,” he noted.
Nope, he wasn’t moved to return fire at Zuffa Boxing boss Dana White, who in the last month took aim at Arum and the rest of the fraternity. It’s been easy work; these so-called rivals have been pushovers, White exulted following his last two Zuffa shows. No, Arum said, he hasn’t tuned in to any of the Zuffa pugilism programs. “There is no reason to comment on it, as he paints such a God-awful picture,” Arum said. The quality of the Zuffa shows can speak louder than he is inclined to, basically, is his counter to the combustible mixed martial arts maven.
I asked Arum about other shoes dropping and wondered about the ascending 154-pound talent, Xander Zayas, who was not present in NY. “Xander wasn’t part of it for whatever reason,” he said, but neither was Raymond Muratalla, another mainstay in the stable. NYC area fans will be glad to note Arum said they will continue to give Zayas extra love with placement on Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend in Manhattan, similar to what Miguel Cotto was afforded. Sunday, June 14, is the parade fete this year, for the record.
No, Arum hasn’t been bored or put off by the lack of a platform home base, the ultra veteran said. “Not as long as the fighters on other shows came through like champions,” he said, referring to the run by Mason and Davis, especially in recent months. There should be a good pool of talent up mix and mingle, what with DAZN also being home to Queensberry, Matchroom, and Golden Boy material, he shared.
“It’s a new era in boxing,” Arum told me. “And I’m glad Top Rank is part of it. The other promoters part of this will hopefully result in more matches, young boxers in great fights. This is something I really believe can reenergize the sport.”
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
