Stephen Espinoza Addresses Rumors of Showtime Exiting Boxing
Premier Boxing Champions has faced persistent rumors of going out of business since its debut in 2015. Now, the spotlight has shifted to speculation that Showtime might be exiting the boxing scene. Showtime’s executive, Stephen Espinoza, addressed this notion during the final press conference for undisputed champions Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (59-2-2, 39KO) and Jermell “Hit Man” Charlo (35-1-1, 19KO).
To provide some context to the story, the Showtime App recently notified all subscribers that it will be shutting down and is now available on the Paramount Plus app. This move came as a result of the merger between these two entities, which took place in May. In addition, this move has brought about speculation that Showtime may cease to host boxing events after 2024.
RESPONDING TO A PERSISTENT RUMOR
Undisturbed by the constant ongoing rumors, Espinoza told K.O. Artist Sports the following:
“I mean it’s nothing new. I mean, you know it’s the same rumor we’ve been hearing since 2018, and it’s usually guys who have a rooting interest against us who are spreading it . . . the reality is you just shrug it off, we continue doing what we’re doing. We weren’t going out of business in 2018 . . . we weren’t in 2019 . . . we’re going to keep making good fights, and that’s what we are doing now.”
The fact remains that even if there is some truth to these rumors, a lot can change between now and 2024. Moreover, mergers often entail various complex factors, including rebranding products under different umbrellas within the merged companies.
Lastly, for true supporters of the sport, the thought of losing boxing on any network shouldn’t be a cause for celebration. Instead, it should be a reminder of the importance of preserving and nurturing the sport we love.
