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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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.

 

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.

 

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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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.

 

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.

 

BREAKING: Whyte Forced To Withdraw From Joyce Fight Due To Injury

It has been reported by TalkSport out of the United Kingdom that Heavyweight contender and former world title challenger Dillian Whyte has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled April 5th bout with Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce due to what is at this time an undisclosed injury. The bout, which was due to headline a fight card at the Manchester Arena in Manchester England as part of Queensberry Promotions global debut on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN might be salvaged as Joyce is reportedly looking for a new opponent to step in for Whyte.

We will keep readers updated on developments as they become available.

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Will We See A Davis-Roach Rematch?

In recent years, the term “Pay-Per-View Star" has lost some of its value due to the pay-per-view model being one that is overpriced and over used even as subscription-based streaming has offered better value for consumers and generally produces higher viewership numbers than those events that are reserved for pay-per-view. There are, however, some exceptions or at least some fighters that a portion of Boxing fans will argue are worthy of the label “Pay-Per-View Star" even as the model is a dying medium. One such fighter is Gervonta Davis.

Davis, a fighter who has competed in three weight classes ranging from the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division up to the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division is known for producing knockouts that are the type that come suddenly and are often brutal. Along the way, Davis has won world titles in the Jr. Lightweight and Lightweight divisions, while for a time holding Interim/Regular champion status in the Jr. Welterweight division. As the current WBA World Lightweight champion, few fighters have been able to withstand Davis’ punching power and compete effectively. Unbeaten in thirty professional fights, with twenty-eight of those wins coming via knockout registering a career knockout percentage of over 90%, Davis climbed into the ring at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY to face current WBA Jr. Lightweight world champion Lamont Roach on March 1st in the main event of the latest pay-per-view offering on Prime Video promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters.

Despite the fact that this was a fight between two current world champions, with a past history having fought twice in 2011 as amateurs, there were some who felt this encounter would be another note on Davis’ extensive record of knockout wins. Perhaps the perception of that beyond the track record that Davis has was rooted in the fact that Roach, who entered the fight with a record of 25-1-1, with 10 Knockouts, was not only moving up five pounds to challenge Davis for his world title, but was not known for his punching power. While their meetings as amateurs should not have been used as a way to attempt to measure what might happen when they faced off due to the fact that both were kids at the time, Davis did win both bouts via close decisions, which context aside, could have also led to the perception that Roach would be a footnote on Davis’ record. Although in recent times Davis has become known as a fighter that starts slow and gradually picks up his pace as a fight progresses, it did not take Roach long to establish that whatever perception a fan might have had of his chances going into this fight may have been misjudged. 

Roach did this by applying tactical pressure on Davis early in the fight. While both fighters did not throw many punches through several of the early rounds, which resulted in a bout fought at an extremely measured pace, what was noticeable was Roach’s ability to gradually walk Davis backward. Despite neither fighter being able to establish a clear offensive output from the other and seemingly matching each other punch for punch, it was the challenger’s calculated approach that gave an impression that he may have had the upper hand, albeit slightly through the first six rounds of the fight. 

Although it was not the most entertaining of fights for those who are looking for action, the level of competition between the two fighters is something that should not be ignored. Through the first six rounds, I felt Roach was ahead by a round, however, this observer has been around long enough and has certainly covered enough close fights in just about every scenario one could name in three decades to know that how I might be seeing things could be reversed for someone else or might be a little wider as well, in particular, how the three official judges might be see things. 

Though Roach being able to be tactical and largely nullify the pace in which the combat was being fought was the most noticeable thing through the first half of the fight, the champion subtly began landing hard, thudding punches when he did let his hands go, which can leave just as much an impression on those scoring a fight as who might be dictating how a fight is being fought. The seventh round saw the beginning of a change in the pace of the fight as the challenger Roach seemed willing to stand and try to trade power punches with Davis. In that if Davis landed solidly on Roach, Roach would respond by trying to not only land punches that were as solid as the ones the champion was landing, but would try doing so in combination. 

As the action began to heat up, an element of controversy would occur in the ninth round when Davis seemed to turn his back and take a knee. Under most circumstances, this would result in a knockdown being ruled against the fighter that took a knee. Referee Steve Willis would frankly blow the call and while he did admonish Davis and warn him that what he had done constituted a knockdown, he did not score one in favor of Roach. While in fairness, I did not see a punch land on Davis prior to him taking a knee, Willis’ decision to not call it a knockdown, which it should have been outside of something illegal like a low blow landing, would prove to be crucial even as the tempo of the fight had changed and we saw more heated exchanges between the two fighters.

What stood out as the fight entered the championship rounds was not so much that the tempo had switched from measured and tactical, to tactical yet with heated exchanges, was Roach’s willingness to play with fire and exchange with Davis, but more specifically seemingly getting the better of the action particularly when he was able to land with his right hand, often in a counter punch sequence. Going into the twelfth round, I felt the fight was close, but had Roach narrowly edging Davis, just as I had at the halfway point at the conclusion of round six. Roach seemed to get the better of the action in the final round leading me to have a seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points scorecard in his favor. Ultimately, one official judge had a seven rounds to five margin in favor of Davis, while the two remaining judges turned in identical deadlocked scorecards of six rounds to six or 114-114 in points resulting in a majority draw.

Just how crucial the first six rounds were in terms of who had the upper hand when the two fighters were matching each other punch for punch, but more specifically Steve Willis’ decision as the referee to not rule a knockdown against Davis will be heavily debated as to whether that decision cost Lamont Roach a victory and his second world title in this fight. If the knee Davis took in the ninth round had been scored correctly as a knockdown, it is logical to think that it would have been the difference maker on the two scorecards that resulted in a draw in turning what was a draw into a majority decision win for Roach as it would have been scored s 10-8 round due to the knockdown and not a 10-9 round, which though still resulting in a narrow score margin, would have determined a winner.

It is clear coming out of this fight that some decisions will have to be made. One, will Roach, who is still the WBA’s Jr. Lightweight world champion, choose to move back down in weight to defend his title or will he choose to remain at Lightweight. Two, will Davis, who was talking about retirement before this fight, indeed move in the direction or continue on with his career. While it is still to be determined as to how successful this fight proved to be as a pay-per-view attraction with a $79.95 price point, given what happened in the ring and the fact that for the first time since he fought Isaac Cruz in December 2021 that there was legitimate doubt as to the outcome and the fact that this turned out to be a draw and not a win for Davis, with the impression being left that it was Lamont Roach, who saw his stock go up, we should see a rematch. Whether we will and whether it comes in a timely manner as some other rematches have in the recent history of the sport remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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“A Belt Is What I've Wanted My Whole Life” Josh Byrne Fired Up For His First Title Fight

Press Release: March 1, 2025 By Dragon Fire Boxing - On March 14, Dragon Fire Boxing Promotions hits the Metro City nightclub for the first time this year for Thunderdome 49.

 

Credit: Mike O'Hara

In the main event, Undefeated prospect Jude Grant takes on his first international opponent when he fights Shi Hong Jun of China.  

 

Before the headliner, Jude’s training partner Josh Byrne has his first shot at a state championship against Habib Kheirkhah.

 

When asked what it felt like to get the call for the title shot, Byrne stated that he was excited to complete one of his boxing goals so quickly.

“When I got the call about fighting for the state title I was stoked” Byrne said. “It's what I've wanted all the way since amateurs, I've never actually won a belt.

“I've always got a medal or a trophy, but a belt is what I've wanted my whole life and I'm going to make it happen.”

In his last fight Byrne fought Bima Prokosar, in what was an action-packed encounter.

Although he came out victorious with a lopsided decision, the Aussie feels that there were still lessons to take away from his performance, mainly regarding the communication with his corner.

“I feel that I need to listen to the corner a bit more” Byrne revealed.

“[My coaches] can see a lot more about what's going on than what I can, they were telling me to go more to the body and at the time it didn't really come across.

“When I sat back and went through the fight with them, they said ‘you need to open your ears a bit more and listen to us because we can see a lot more than what you can.’

“I feel that I will definitely improve on that in this fight and hopefully I'll come away with a knockout.”

In what is said to be the biggest fight of his young career so far, Byrne will fight Habib Kheirkhah. An aggressive fighter who has had experience fighting the best that Big Rigs gym has to offer, having fought Jordan LaRuccia, Jude Grant and Joel Lewis.

 

With the experience from his teammates, Byrne has said that he has been given pointers regarding how to approach the match up.

“From everything that I’ve been told, he's a very forward guy” Byrne told. “I expect him to bring the action to me and I know I will match that.”

The advice given to Byrne is amongst the best in WA, as it has recently been announced that Jude Grant could be fighting in the WBC Grand Prix, a tournament designed to find the next big star in boxing.

Although the teenager has limited experience in the sport with a 2-0 record, he looks up to his training partners and uses their early success as inspiration to go as far as he can.

“I would love to fight in something like the Grand Prix.” Byrne said “I've been speaking to Tony [Tolj] about it, but I just don’t have quite enough experience yet.

“Something like that will definitely happen once I get a few more fights under my belt.”

With the right training partners and coaches around him, Josh Byrne is an exciting local prospect and perhaps will be involved in a high stakes tournament of his own within the next two to three years.

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.