Should PBC Be Sizing Up DAZN Alongside Amazon Prime?
After the news was well leaked throughout the industry, it’s been officially announced that Showtime is no longer in the boxing business. As a result, at the conclusion of 2023, Showtime will no longer broadcast live fights. This will bring 37 years of commitment to the sport of boxing to an end. Now, the elephant in the room becomes: what will become of PBC, assuming they don’t move forward with Amazon Prime?
For more than a decade, PBC (Premier Boxing Champions) has functioned as the chief supplier of the fighters and bouts aired on the iconic station. Without this outlet, PBC founder Al Haymon will now have to search for another home. Many feel the best natural fit would be with DAZN. This is somewhat ironic because both the PBC and DAZN were forecasted by many to be flashes in the pan when they first hit the American market. Now, obviously, the two loom on as titans in the industry.
FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY
At their inception, and for some time afterwards, DAZN bragged about bringing the end of pay-per-view boxing. Instead, using Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn as a mouthpiece, DAZN promised to supply googobs of quality boxing for one low monthly subscription. Nevertheless, following a less than warm welcome in the US market and a couple price hikes, DAZN also gave into producing PPV cards. This is why now could be the perfect time to merge with Premier Boxing Champions.
One of the largest hindrances to DAZN’s potential increased popularity is the lack of exciting fighters recognizable to casual boxing fans. Here, there is no question that PBC could be of tremendous aid in filling out the roster. And clearly, Haymon now needs a new outlet for his small army of today’s most popular pugilists.
MO MONEY, MO MONEY, MO MONEY!
Aside from their would-be symbiotic union, the two institutions have long toted reputations of lavishly paying their fighters. First, PBC jumped out boasting a budget of about $400 million dollars strong, then more recently DAZN threw a billion dollars at the American boxing venture.
If they linked up, what kind of money may be injected into the PBC brand? How could PBC revitalize the foreign-based brand in the states once helmed by a native who is also a shrewd businessman? Not to mention that Premier Boxing Champions is ending a sizzling year, with Showtime having put on some of the biggest fights of the year.
In the end, for the moment, this is all speculation and brain-storming, yet, PBC teaming up with DAZN seems to make more sense than it doesn’t. So it’ll be very interesting to see what new alliances are formed in the power vacuum created by Showtime Boxing’s departure. Thankfully, no matter how it all plays out, 3Kings Boxing will be here to report the news!
