The Boxing Truth®: Jake Paul

Showing posts with label Jake Paul. Show all posts

Friday, April 18, 2025

Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Set For June 28th On DAZN PPV

Press Release: April 18, 2025 By DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions - Golden Boy’s Mexican WBO and WBA unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez vs. Cuba’s former IBF and WBA cruiserweight world champion and WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós join Paul vs. Chávez Jr. in the co-main event

Fans can sign up for presale for Paul vs. Chávez Jr. HERE

ATLANTA, GA – April 18, 2025 – Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced that boxing’s biggest disruptor, international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) takes his next step towards world champion against Mexico’s former champion Julio César Chávez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) on Saturday, June 28, at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. Paul vs. Chávez Jr. will be a standard 10-round men’s professional bout with three-minute rounds and 10oz gloves, contested at 200lbs. The historic fight, an MVP Event, will air live globally on DAZN pay-per-view and is presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy. Golden Boy Promotions will serve as the official licensed promoter. Fans can sign up for presale HERE. The event will also feature an array of high-end VIP packages, including the return of the one-of-a-kind MVP Owner’s Experience.

In the co-main event, Golden Boy’s 33-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion and WBA Cruiserweight Super Champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs)—ESPN’s #2 cruiserweight in the world—will make a title defense against Cuba’s former WBA and IBF Cruiserweight World Champion, one of the best punchers in boxing and current WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 25 KOs) in a men’s world championship bout contested at 200lbs with 12, three-minute rounds.

The American pride of Puerto Rico, Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (11-1, 7 KOs), has shown tremendous growth as a boxer on his path to becoming a world champion, and now will look to prove he has what it takes against a former world champion in Julio César Chávez Jr. In just five years since turning pro, Paul has made his impact in the ring, earning high-profile victories over names like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His viral knockouts and headline-grabbing performances have breathed new life into boxing, drawing millions of fans and setting records. In his latest blockbuster fight in November 2024, Jake Paul defeated the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson in a heavyweight bout in the first-ever live professional sporting event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally. Paul has collected multiple accolades for his commitment to the sport of boxing, including ESPNRingside’s 2021 Knockout of the Year, Sports Illustrated’s 2021 Breakout Boxer of the Year, ESPNRingside’s 2022 Viral Moment of the Year, and was the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” issue, awarded specifically for his groundbreaking work to revolutionize the sport through equitable pay, providing a platform for young fighters, and his support of female boxers. Paul also partnered with USA Boxing ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, continuing his mission to elevate the sport and its future champions.

“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish,” said Jake Paul. “Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”

Julio César Chávez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) is a Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico native and son of former three-division world boxing champion Julio César Chávez, “El Gran Campeón Mexicano,” the greatest Mexican fighter of all time. Chávez Jr. began his professional career with an impressive undefeated streak across his first 47 fights. Chávez Jr. climbed the rankings and became the WBC middleweight world champion in 2011, before being defeated by Sergio Martinez in Chávez’s fourth title defense in 2012. Chávez Jr. went on to reclaim regional titles and later won the WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight title, recently fighting in his hometown of Culiacan to a UD win over David Zegarra. In June 2021, Chávez squared off with MMA star Anderson Silva, suffering a narrow split decision defeat. He most recently returned to the ring to defeat MMA icon Uriah Hall by unanimous decision on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. Now, Chávez Jr. will have the opportunity to grow his legacy further within the cruiserweight division as he faces Jake Paul on Saturday, June 28.

“First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life—mentally and physically,” said Julio César Chávez Jr. “I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June—one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”

“Saturday, June 28 marks a defining moment in Jake Paul’s ascent to the top of the boxing world as he aims to show the 125 million people that watched him fight Mike Tyson that he is a real contender in the sport,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “Julio César Chávez Jr., a former world champion and the heir to Mexico’s most iconic boxing legacy, will be looking to cement his legacy by definitively defeating Jake, something no opponent has been able to do. Add to that the co-main event, which has the return of Mexican Zurdo Ramirez, the WBA and WBO champion, defending his titles against the dangerous Cuban Yuniel Dorticós, and you have the ingredients for a night full of fireworks. Most Valuable Promotions is honored to present this momentous card in partnership with Golden Boy Promotions, live from Honda Center in Anaheim, and we are proud to continue delivering groundbreaking moments for the sport on DAZN pay-per-view.”

Golden Boy’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) has over a decade of experience under his belt, debuting as a professional in 2009 and embarking on a career that would see him make boxing history multiple times. In 2016, Ramirez won the WBO Super Middleweight title, defeating “King” Arthur Abraham by unanimous decision in a dominant performance. This victory cemented his status as one of the top fighters, and he became the first Mexican-born fighter to win a world title in the division. Ramirez successfully defended his belt multiple times, defeating tough opponents such as Jesse “Hard Work” Hart and Roamer Alexis Angulo. After five defenses of his title, Ramirez moved up to light heavyweight, where he went on a five-fight winning streak before facing Dmitry Bivol in a unification bout in November 2022. Although Ramirez’s undefeated streak ended in this contest, the fight showcased his resilience, heart, and determination to the sport. Turning that loss into a lesson, Ramirez returned to the ring 11 months later as a cruiserweight this time around. In November 2024, Ramirez made boxing history once again, becoming the first Mexican-born unified cruiserweight champion in an all-action-packed war against Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ramirez’s legacy as one of the most skilled and dangerous fighters of his era continues to grow, and he is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s best current champions.

“I’m excited to step back into the ring this June to defend my WBA and WBO titles. This fight marks my WBA mandatory, and I know I need to get past this opponent to stay on track in my journey toward greatness—and ultimately, to become the undisputed champion,” said Zurdo Ramirez. “I’ve been training non-stop and feel sharper than ever as I continue to grow and mature in the sport. The goal hasn’t changed. I’m locked in, and I’m proud to be featured on this card alongside Jake Paul and my good friend Julio César Chávez Jr. A big thank you to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, MVP, the WBA, the WBO, and all my fans. I can’t wait to put on a show you won’t forget.”

WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 25 KOs), known as "The KO Doctor," is a Cuban professional boxer renowned for his explosive punching power and success in the cruiserweight division. Born on March 11, 1986, in Cienfuegos, Cuba, he enjoyed a strong amateur career, finishing as a national runner-up multiple times and competing in the Boxing World Cup before defecting to the United States in 2009. Turning professional the same year, Dorticós quickly gained attention by winning his first 17 fights by knockout. He captured the WBA interim cruiserweight title in 2016 and went on to become the WBA (Regular) champion in 2017, defending the title until a loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018. In 2019, he claimed the vacant IBF cruiserweight title with a knockout victory over Andrew Tabiti during the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), ultimately reaching the WBSS final, where he lost a close decision to Mairis Briedis. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power—evidenced by a record of 27 wins (25 by KO) and just 2 losses—Dorticós remains a respected force in the ring. He resides in Miami, Florida, where he continues to train and represent the proud tradition of Cuban boxing.

“I want to thank MVP, my promoters and Golden Boy for this opportunity,” said Yuniel Dorticós. “My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and now by fighting Zurdo Ramirez I have been granted the chance to accomplish my goals on Saturday, June 28.”

“Once again, Golden Boy is proving that we’re willing to work with anyone to deliver the biggest and most exciting events in boxing. We’re thrilled to partner with Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Most Valuable Promotions, and DAZN to bring this blockbuster night to fans around the world," said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. "Now the WBA and WBO Unified Cruiserweight Champion, Zurdo has made history not once, but twice—first as the first Mexican-born fighter to become a super middleweight world champion, and now as the first-ever Mexican to claim a cruiserweight world title, holding championships in both divisions. Ramirez is ready to light up the ring once again—this time against the dangerous Yuniel Dorticós, who’s coming in with everything he’s got to steal the spotlight in this mandatory matchup. But make no mistake: Zurdo is built for moments like this. It’s going to be an unforgettable night celebrating the best of Mexican boxing!”

“We are incredibly excited to welcome Jake Paul back to DAZN against a championship-caliber opponent in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.” said Jared Kass, SVP North America, DAZN. “We are grateful to our partners at MVP and Golden Boy for delivering an unmissable night of action from start to finish. So tune in Saturday, June 28, only on DAZN.”

Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is produced and marketed by Most Valuable Promotions, with Golden Boy Promotions serving as the official licensed promoter, and is distributed by DAZN pay-per-view. The event is presented by CELSIUS Live Fit Essential Energy, also sponsored by Fansly and Event Ticket Center. Additional information, including additional bouts, will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information, follow on X via @MostVPromotions, @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing on Instagram via @MostValuablePromotions, @goldenboy, and @daznboxing.

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.

About DAZN

DAZN is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL (excl. USA). We are building the ultimate sports entertainment platform, based on premium sports rights, world-leading tech, and multi-platform distribution. DAZN believes that fans from across the globe should be able to watch, read, bet, play, share, socialise, buy tickets and merchandise, all in one place, with one account, one wallet and on one app.

For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit dazngroup.com.

About Honda Center

Located in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center has remained a premier entertainment and sports venue since its opening in 1993. Home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, the arena hosts a variety of events, including sold-out concerts, family entertainment, and thrilling sports competitions. Over the past three decades, Honda Center has remained an iconic and beloved destination for live entertainment in Southern California with over 4,500 events and 45 million guests, paving the way for an even more exciting future. It will anchor the innovative OCVIBE, a 100-acre one-of-a-kind, immersive district designed to bring people together through shared experiences.

Material Courtesy of: DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission

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)

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

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)

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

Saturday, February 8, 2025

Statement From Most Valuable Promotions Regarding Saul "Canelo" Alvarez-Jake Paul

Moet Valuable Promotions released the following statement on Friday regarding the falling through of a potential fight between Jake Paul and current unified Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez. The statement can be read below.

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions

Photo Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission.

Monday, January 6, 2025

A Boxing Wishlist For 2025

Introduction:

It is that time of year once again. What has become a yearly tradition here at The Boxing Truth® ️ where this observer begins the new year by sharing his “Boxing Wishlist" with the dear readers who have followed my writings over the many years I have covered Boxing and by extension combat sports. By the title of this column for those who are unfamiliar with previous editions, this is a list of things that I would like to see happen in the sport of Boxing during the course of the new year. It also should be pointed out for those who may be reading the “Boxing Wishlist" put out by yours truly for the first time that this is not a standard list in the sense of a numbered list from 1-10 for example, but rather a condensed selection of topics that will be highlighted in Bold that I will try to discuss in both a detailed as well as a condensed form as possible within the context of a single column. While I always hope to add new topics that have not been featured before in previous years, unfortunately, circumstances do warrant some things to remain on the list, but will be obviously updated for present context as is necessary.

As has also become standard over the years as this list has evolved into a yearly tradition, this year's list is being compiled in the latter days of 2024 while yours truly is recuperating after what was a busy year for the sport and also a challenging one for me personally. For the purposes of this year's list, it is being composed before the World Heavyweight championship rematch between champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, which was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21st. Delayed coverage of that encounter will be covered in a separate column that will be released on Tuesday, January 7th. Without any further ado, it is time to get into this year's “Boxing Wishlist."

A " Boxing Wishlist For 2025”:

A Possible Consolidation Of Boxing’s Power Brokers (Promoters) Under One Broadcast Platform:

This is a subject that is both interesting and could be viewed as both good and bad for the sport depending on one’s perspective. One of the more consistent themes of this observer’s work over the last thirteen or so years has been the emergence of digital streaming networks and more specifically, how subscription-based streaming has the opportunity to bring Boxing into a new era that offers both better value and is more cost effective for consumers. A significant part of this particular theme since 2018 has been the inception of DAZN and ESPN+, two digital streaming networks dedicated exclusively to sports that quickly emerged as successors to previous broadcast powerhouses HBO and Showtime, two premium cable networks that have since both exited Boxing.

Although both networks have offered Boxing fans considerably more content than had previously been offered prior to the advent of streaming and have done so mostly under a subscription-based model, it has been DAZN that has grown significantly to house several promoters respective events all under their broadcast banner including Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Universum Box Promotions, Dmitry Salita’s Salita Promotions, and most recently Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions to name a few of what is becoming a deep and global roster of promotional entities ranging from the top of the sport to promoters on the regional level worldwide.

While it is a testament to the growth of DAZN not just in regard to their involvement in Boxing, but also their ongoing investment in securing additional sporting rights as well as continued expansion of their network around the world, the network is poised to continue building momentum in 2025 and may further add to it's Boxing roster, which could increase the likelihood of the network becoming as close to a one stop destination for all things Boxing that is frankly uncharted territory.

While this could also be seen as bad for the sport in the sense that it might limit competition if most of Boxing's major promoters and even regional promoters around the world will be openly seeking one platform, for the respective other platforms that exist in the sport, which in regard to here in the United States consist of in addition to ESPN/ESPN+, ProBox TV, Triller TV, Prime Video, and Peacock, like DAZN and ESPN, all of the above are largely streaming-based networks, but it will be interesting to see if ESPN for example, who is preparing to revamp their streaming offering to include access to the ESPN linear cable networks, without requiring a Pay-TV provider to access those feeds through the ESPN app, will be looking to either increase their involvement in the sport or potentially at minimum scale back as the network’s agreement with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum's Top Rank Boxing is due to conclude in the Summer of 2025, which has also fueled speculation that Arum could potentially be next to join DAZN’s roster.

Although as of this writing, the latter is speculation and yours truly does not like partaking in the practice of rumor gossip, if Arum is indeed preparing to switch platforms, it will be interesting to see what ESPN and the other networks involved in Boxing might do. Even though DAZN has built a roster of promoters and Boxing programming the sport has never seen before, there is always no shortage of promoters worldwide who will always be looking to make their footprint in the sport and it will be very interesting to see if ESPN and Arum do part ways if the network will look to a different promoter who is not currently signed to any of the aforementioned networks and give them a platform in which to try and make that footprint just as it allowed Arum to do initially beginning in 1980 when Arum’s Top Rank became the first major promoter to provide Boxing on a weekly basis on what was then a network in it's early stages in ESPN. There is also always the possibility given what has happened in the last decade with HBO and Showtime that ESPN, though sports centric, might opt to move in a different direction away from Boxing, which if that were to happen, would open a potential window of opportunity for the other networks that have been mentioned here outside of DAZN to potentially expand their involvement in the sport. How this will all play out obviously remains to be seen, but the question is how could this benefit consumers, which leads to the next and all too familiar item that remains a staple of this observer’s annual “Boxing Wishlist."

The Need For Boxing To Finally Embrace Subscription-Based Models Over Pay-Per-View:

This one admittedly is the one item on the list year over year that has seen very little change, perhaps due to the stubbornness of those in the sport who are hell-bent on sticking with what has been an outdated and overpriced model for years, as well as yours truly’s refusal to stop speaking up on something I sincerely feel needs to change, not for the benefit of myself, but for the sport I have loved all my life and have covered for most of it.

The silver-lining to a significant amount of promoters all being under one broadcast platform in DAZN, which is a global network, however, just might give the network the opportunity to get back to it's original strategy upon its inception here in the United States in 2018, which in turn would ultimately benefit consumers. Top level Boxing cards under a reasonably priced subscription-based model without the need for subscribers to pay an additional pay-per-view fee to access the sport’s major events on DAZN’s platform.

Those who are knowledgeable on the subject know that DAZN, while remaining a subscription-based network, has deviated from their original promise and has offered Boxing cards including some “Influencer Boxing" events which have required an additional pay-per-view fee, which began in 2022 as a likely response to both coming out of the global COVID-19 epidemic in an attempt to recoup losses, which began for many in the television and streaming industries when the world was brought to a standstill in 2020, as well as a way to get fighters and promoters, who have insisted, despite the significant evidence of pay-per-view being in decline, to continue to use the model, to bring them to their platform.

Those who have followed my work going back to the mid-1990’s when I began my writing journey and entered the sport as a writer, but also spent several years covering the professional wrestling industry as well as periodically also covering Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in several online and print publications that predated The Boxing Truth®️, the outlet which I own and operate, know that I have frequently and unapologetically criticized the pay-per-view model, primarily over increasing costs as years have gone on as well as the frequency in which the model has been used in that a vast majority of pay-per-view events were put on pay-per-view as a requirement in contractual agreements and/or demands of promoters and even some fighters, more so than it being a significant event, deemed special that would draw a significant audience. Although I can be significantly more thorough, I will give a brief background into what ultimately convinced me that pay-per-view created more problems for Boxing than it solved. I came into this world in the 1980’s. Back then, pay-per-view as well as the cable/satellite industry as a whole were in its initial growing stages. In the context of Boxing and for a period of time Professional Wrestling, saw their major events shown on closed-circuit television in arenas, and theaters throughout much of the United States, but also on cable/satellite pay-per-view where it was available at that time.

While there was also a difference back then in how those events were presented in that it was presented as a special event and featured a look and feel of something one would not see on standard television broadcasts of either medium at that time, the prices also were limited to between $15-$30 depending on the market you were in and those events were occasional, which made it feel more special, though pro wrestling was the first to eventually expand on the occasional special event to something that would evolve to one event per fiscal quarter by the time the 1980’s came to an end.

With the brief trip down memory lane now also concluded, I should not have to tell those who are knowledgeable that pay-per-view is no longer the budget friendly model that it once was and in regard to Boxing the feel of the true “Special Event" is at best a rarity. Despite this fact and the continued decline of the model with very rare exceptions, promoters still continue to use pay-per-view, even as evidence of the success of reasonably priced subscription-based models exist and could help the sport significantly in the long-term.

One need look no further than the recent event featuring social media influencer, turned aspiring boxer Jake Paul and 58 year old former two-time Heavyweight world champion and Hall of Famer Mike Tyson in November of last year. A controversial event for a few reasons, but one that, despite Mike Tyson's status as once the biggest draw in the sport in the 1980’s and more specifically throughout much of the 1990’s where the latter period saw most of his fights carried on pay-per-view, the Tyson-Paul event was not a pay-per-view attraction, but was instead offered on digital subscription entertainment network Netflix.

While the event was not without its share of controversy both for what occurred inside the ring, but more specifically relating to issues with the live broadcast stream of the event, which was significant, the event, which was also archived for on-demand viewing without any of the issues that plagued the live broadcast, drew an audience of 108 million subscribers globally for the network that has recently ventured into live sports including carrying two NFL football games on Christmas Day, which thankfully did not have any issues with the live broadcasts and also drew massive numbers around the world, but also signing a deal with WWE to broadcast its flagship Monday Night Raw weekly series in the United States as of this week (January 6, 2025), as well as becoming the global distributor of WWE Network internationally including all of the company's weekly programming, library of past events, as well as live premium live events, (Previously known as pay-per-view) which will likely include the United States market when the U.S. rights become available in 2026.

Although the agreements with both WWE and the NFL are clearly part of a much broader strategy by Netflix as it ventures into live sports and sports on-demand programming in expanding its content to grow it's subscriber base even further, the success of both the Tyson-Paul event as well as the NFL’s Christmas Day games which drew 65 million viewers in the United States alone, should serve as a wake up call to those Boxing hold outs as I call them that the time to move away from pay-per-view has come. Though we do not know as of this writing as to what plans might be in the works as for as Boxing is concerned for Netflix, these kinds of numbers could only be dreamed of via pay-per-view distribution even when the model was considered a bargain and budget-friendly for consumers.

If one is looking for more evidence, longtime pay-per-view distributor InDemand, previously known as Viewer's Choice here in the United States when it launched in 1985, the leading pay-per-view distributor across cable and satellite television here in the United States as well as Canada announced last year that it will be ceasing operations by the end of 2025 ending forty years of service and for a lot of us who grew up with what was then Viewer's Choice as a pay-per-view provider, a lot of good memories of those “Special Events" as well as an alternative to movie theaters to view the blockbuster films of the day. While the distributor has said that it's streaming platform PPV.com will continue operating after the company closes, it should serve as yet another in a growing list of examples as to not only the lack of viability of the pay-per-view model in now 2025 at the time of this column's release, but of the decline of the cable/satellite industry as a whole.

Although the possibility exists that a new distributor could emerge as cable and satellite providers look to survive in both their traditional forms as well as attempting to transition into offering live TV streaming packages and services rather than traditional cable or satellite service, the odds of both the pay-per-view model as well as cable and satellite models reverting back to an era of both being consumer friendly and consumer-embraced where both models are profitable for providers, distributors, as well as networks and promoters seems unlikely with subscription-based models easily accessible and consumer friendly on the market, which tends to offer considerably more content as well for the price.

Given all of this, it would seem logical that Boxing promoters and networks, rather than waiting for the inevitable collapse of what remains of cable, satellite, and pay-per-view, get out ahead of things and finally embrace subscription-based streaming as the future. In terms of the endless pursuit of seeking additional sources of revenue, which are always hoped-for, but rarely achieved by pay-per-view, the obvious route would be to both attempt lucrative broadcast agreements with streaming networks that would offer these (Pay-Per-View Quality) bouts to their subscribers as part of their subscription, something both DAZN and ESPN have done well when neither has deviated towards pay-per-view, but to also seek sponsorship deals and endorsements, which could effectively replace the pay-per-view model without forcing consumers all promoters attempt to draw to their events to incur additional costs. The bottom line is with much of the Boxing promotional landscape now either under one broadcast banner, or soon to be joining that banner, the argument of using pay-per-view as a way to draw fighters and promoters who insist on the model to the negotiating table, no longer holds water, nor does the excuse some promoters when confronted on the subject of “Market Changes" or blaming expensive prices, which often begin at a $70 price point as something that is the way things are done in the United States. There needs to be accountability of promoters and networks when decisions that ultimately do not benefit consumers are made. With the pay-per-view model suffering yet another blow with InDemands impending closure, one can only hope that common sense on the need to move away from an outdated model will finally come into the equation. On the subject of the implementation of “Common Sense" it coincidentally leads to the final item on this year's list that is also making a return.

To See Women's Boxing Moved To Three Minute Rounds And World Championship Fights Expanded To 12 Rounds:

Perhaps one subject besides the need for Boxing to move away from pay-per-view in order to make the sport more accessible to all as well as the need to seek new revenue streams as an effective strategy to effectively replace the model, which I am also proud to be associated with is my long-standing advocacy for Women's Boxing. To be more specific, wanting to see progress made for female fighters in the sport that would put women on similar footing to their male counterparts. In taking it a step further, two critical aspects, to see women's bouts moved from two minute rounds to three minutes, the same length as Men's bouts and to see world championship bouts in Women's Boxing go from a ten round distance to a twelve round distance, the same distance as men's world championship bouts.

Much like my stance on the pay-per-view model needing to be either significantly revamped, or outright done away with, this is something I will gladly continue banging the drum on until change occurs. With regard to pay-per-view, it's looking to and wanting to see the sport grow and be made accessible to more eyes regardless of economic level, my desire here for Women's Boxing can be summed up in a word “Equality."

When Women's Boxing began to be featured on television in the mid-1990’s also coincidentally when I began my writing journey, to be frank, it was treated as an attraction more than it was regarded as the sport it was and still is. One of the main differences between women's bouts and men's bouts were that unlike men's fights,; where rounds were three minutes in duration, women were limited to two minute rounds.

Although the purpose in theory was first out of safety concerns and offered a selling point of “More Excitement" due to the quicker pace , women's combat sports has evolved and when one considers that in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) women's bouts are contested under either three five minute rounds for non-title fights or five, five minute rounds for world championship bouts, the same standards as what men's MMA bouts are contested under, the idea that women boxers should be limited to two minute rounds has less and less credibility.

To expand on this aspect, in the last two Olympic Boxing tournaments, women's bouts were held with three, three minute rounds and there were no instances of serious injury that could have been attributed to the length of time of a round. Furthermore, the additional minute not only allowed fighters time to pace themselves, but also it seemed to solve the the conundrum that often occurs in bouts held with two minute rounds that often result in close fights being scored draws by allowing the same round length as men's bouts, which allowed for more conclusive scoring.

On the professional side of the sport, some may remember the Women's world championship bout between Amanda Serrano and Danila Ramos, where Serrano put her unified World Featherweight championship on the line, which took place in October 2023 in Orlando, FL was contested with three minute rounds and also saw the bout extended to a twelve round distance, the same as men's world championship fights. There were no issues and Serrano was able to retain her championship with a convincing twelve round unanimous decision.

Despite Serrano wanting to continue competing under what is the standard format for men's bouts, three minute rounds and a twelve round distance for world title fights, unfortunately, there has not been a bout held in Women's Boxing since under the format. Frankly, I would like to know why?

One of the benefits of Netflix' entry into Boxing with the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul event was the co-main event featured the highly anticipated rematch between Serrano and two-division world champion Katie Taylor. A delayed second encounter between two groundbreakers of the sport who made history in April 2023 when they met in Madison Square Garden for Taylor's Undisputed Lightweight championship of the world at that time. What was a great fight that brought tears to my eyes having long advocated for Women's Boxing, was the first Women's bout to main event a Boxing card in the main arena in Madison Square Garden and drew a sell out of over 20,000 people. As one who faced much criticism over the years and questions of why I covered women's bouts, it was a moment of validation not only for the two fighters, not only for the sport of Women's Boxing, but also for yours truly in a small way having long known what female fighters were capable of and holding firm in my stance that Women's Boxing needs to be under the same format as men's bouts. I will also concede that I had a similar emotional reaction during Serrano's fight with Ramos as the crowd in attendance at that fight gave the fighters one long steady standing ovation for the last several rounds of that fight, very similar to that which took place in Madison Square Garden when Taylor and Serrano met for the first time.

When I was informed that the Taylor-Serrano rematch would be taking place as the co-main event of the Tyson-Paul card, I immediately told anyone who asked me about the event or Tyson-Paul that irregardless of what happened in that fight, the Taylor-Serrano rematch would be worth the time to watch and would steal the show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Though it did not take long for me to be proven right yet again as the two fighters met again, this time for Taylor's Undisputed Jr. Welterweight world championship, I found myself a bit disappointed because like their first fight in Madison Square Garden, I feel an opportunity was missed here by not allowing the fight to be held with three minute rounds and with a twelve round distance.

Much like their first fight, a grueling and bloody back and forth battle occurred between Taylor and Serrano for ten hard rounds with Taylor once again emerging victorious by the slimmest of margins to retain her undisputed crown. Irregardless of the outcomes of those two fights, which had my votes for Fight of the year in 2023 and 2024, not just in Women's Boxing, but in the entire sport including men's bouts, I feel that style wise Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano could fight ten to twenty times and it would be closely fought from start to finish every single time. One should wonder, however, if the rivalry between these two trailblazers and future Hall of Famers would be even at one fight a piece or potentially even reversed with Serrano having two wins instead of Taylor if the two fighters had the benefit of three minute rounds and an extra two rounds that men who compete in world title fights are afforded. While the fights may have still ended up narrowly decided regardless of duration of round length or distance, simply based on the styles of the two fighters, they deserved three minute rounds and two extra rounds to try to determine a more conclusive outcome.

My hope for 2025 for Women's Boxing is that those who have stood in the way of progress whether they be sanctioning organizations and/or state and international athletic regulatory boards finally realize that with more women's bouts being held around the world than ever before, with more and more women's fights being positioned as main events on cards also featuring men's bouts, there is no longer a reason to deny female fighters the opportunity to fight under a three minute round or to compete in a twelve round fight in a world championship fight. The time for further steps for equality has come and if top female fighters in the sport are not going to yet be given similar pay as their male counterparts, which they also deserve and is overdue, the least the powers that be in the sport can do is take one step forward by allowing women to compete under the same format as men even if the issue of similar purses for female fighters is a bridge yet to be crossed, but one that much like three minute rounds and the same distance as men's bouts needs to be crossed sooner than later. Female fighters do take the same risks as male fighters take by getting in the ring after all.

Conclusion:

As always by definition the items on this list for now remain “Wishes", but are not ones with the benefit of this observer in mind, but of the sport of Boxing as a whole, the fighters who compete in it and put their lives on the line, and the fans who support it in good times and bad year after year. While some items have remained on the list year after year as circumstances dictate, there are several other things that have been discussed over the years in previous editions of the “Boxing Wishlist" that are as relevant today as they were when they were featured and well likely be featured again in the days, weeks, months, and indeed years when appropriate. With frankly too many of those items to list in the context of one column, it is my hope that this condensed list will not only see progress made as 2025 moves along, but also that the powers that be in the sport take a look and realize that my goal is and has always been from the moment I began my writing journey 30 years ago to benefit Boxing, to advocate for the sport, the fighters, and the fans that support the sport. It is something that has not and will not change.

With all the above now said and done, it is now time to see what 2025 has in store for the sport of Boxing.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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Friday, December 6, 2024

INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR JAKE PAUL SET TO JOIN UNDISPUTED THIS DECEMBER

Press Release: December 5, 2024 By Most Valuable Promotions and Steel City Interactive -

Credit: Most Valuable Promotions

The Problem Child DLC Expands Fighter Roster with Seven Boxers and Alternate Outfits.

5 December 2024 - Global boxing superstar and serial entrepreneur Jake ‘El Gallo de Dorado’ Paul has officially joined the roster of the hit boxing video game Undisputed.

In the debut DLC since the game’s full release in October, the high-profile influencer-turned-boxer will be available as a playable character with three in-game outfits, bringing his fight style and personality to the most authentic boxing game from 12 December 2024.

Trailer now live HERE

Paul was put through his paces at the Sheffield, UK studio to ensure his in-game character reflected his signature style, combining his real-world fighting skills with his unapologetic, bold persona.

Steel City Interactive conducted a full motion capture of Jake Paul, resulting in a lifelike appearance with precision perfect punches, defence and footwork. His trademark flamboyant attire completes his virtual look.

“I’ve been breaking barriers and making history in real life, so it’s only fitting that I bring the same energy to Undisputed. This isn’t just about being in a video game; it’s about inspiring a new generation of fans to step into the ring—virtually and in real life. The Steel City team nailed every detail, from my moves to my swag, and I can’t wait for players to test their skills as ‘El Gallo de Dorado.’ Just like in the real ring, I’m here to take over,” said Jake Paul.

“Jake’s influence on modern boxing is undeniable. His meteoric rise has introduced a whole new generation to the sport, especially those who have followed him from a YouTube phenomenon to a legitimate boxing contender,” said Ash Habib, Founder and CEO of Steel City Interactive.

“His inclusion in Undisputed represents our commitment to featuring fighters who bring something new and exciting to the sport, pushing boxing inside and outside the ring.”

Undisputed is known for its authenticity to the world of boxing and detailed recreation of the sport. In addition to Paul, The Problem Child DLC roster is expanded further to include two specialised packs comprising of six current boxing superstars and legends of yesteryear:

Pack 1 - Mexican Legends

Marco Antonio Barrera

Erik Morales

Juan Manuel Márquez.

Pack 2 - Hard-hitting Heavyweights

James 'Buster' Douglas

Otto Wallin

Zhilei Zhang.

New outfits:

Each new fighter comes with an alternate outfit. There are also two new cosmetic packs that include alternate outfits for Deontay Wilder, Roy Jones Jr., Sunny Edwards, Terence Crawford, Vasilii Lomachenko and Seniesa Estrada.

In addition to the paid for DLC fighters and outfits, all existing and new players will also receive free content and game updates including:

- Two brand new ‘Ring of Fire’ outfits for Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in anticipation of their rematch on the 21st December.

- Two new venues, new animations for knockouts and knockdowns, movement up and down in weight class for Career Mode, audio and UI changes

This debut DLC represents the first of numerous planned content drops comprising of free, paid and game enhancements. More detail to be revealed soon.

Undisputed is available to purchase on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC Steam.

Material and Trailer Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions and Steel City Interactive Used with permission.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

STATEMENT FROM MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS REGARDING FICTITIOUS CLAIMS THAT UNDERMINE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PAUL VS. TYSON FIGHT

Press Release: November 26, 2024 By Most Valuable Promotions- Following the wide circulation of incorrect and baseless claims that undermine the integrity of the Paul vs. Tyson event, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) would like to set the record straight regarding the contractual agreements and the nature of the fight.

Rigging a professional boxing match is a federal crime in the United States of America. Paul vs. Tyson was a professional match sanctioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR). Both fighters in good faith performed to the best of their abilities with the goal of winning the fight. There were absolutely no restrictions – contractual or otherwise – around either fighter. Each boxer was able to use his full arsenal to win the fight. Any agreement to the contrary would violate TDLR boxing rules.

Trash talk and speculation are common in sports, and athletes and promoters need to tolerate nonsensical commentary, jokes and opinions. But suggesting anything other than full effort from these fighters is not only naïve but an insult to the work they put into their craft and to the sport itself.

It is further illogical and inane that MVP, in the debut of a hopeful long-term partnership with the world’s biggest streamer—an organization that made its first-ever foray into live professional sports with Paul vs. Tyson—would even so much as consider such a perverse violation of the rules of competition.

“This is not the first time Jake Paul has faced unfounded skepticism or outright disbelief as a professional athlete, and frankly, the claim that his bout must have been rigged is just the latest backhanded compliment to come his way,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. “From day one in this sport, people have doubted his abilities—unable to reconcile how someone with his background has accomplished so much in such a short time. Jake has not only proven himself repeatedly, but he has continuously set historic records that speak for themselves. This event, which broke attendance and viewership milestones for a professional sporting event, is yet another example of his ability to deliver on the biggest stage. As long as Jake continues to exceed expectations, there will always be those who try to discredit his achievements. We embrace the doubt—it only fuels Jake to work harder and achieve greater success.”

Material Courtesy of: Most Valuable Promotions Used with permission

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Most Valuable Promotions Signs "Prince" Lucas Bahdi

Press Release: November 21, 2024 By Most Valuable Promotions-

Bahdi joins MVP stars Jake “El Gallo” Paul, Puerto Rico’s first-ever undisputed world champion Amanda Serrano, WBO Super Middleweight Champion Shadasia Green, H2O Sylve, megastar Javon Walton, and India’s most successful professional boxer Neeraj Goyat

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has announced today that “Prince” Lucas Bahdi (18-0, 15 KOs) will be the newest signee to MVP’s growing roster of world-class fighters. Bahdi, MVP’s first Canadian signee, is a top-ranked lightweight by both the IBF and WBA and recently proved himself among the best title contenders in the lightweight division when he scored a knockout-of-the-year contender win over H2O Sylve on the main card of Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry in July 2024. Most recently, Bahdi further cemented his reputation as a rising force in the division by following up his win over Sylve with a decision victory over previously undefeated Armando Casamonica (14-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout, featured on the undercard of MVP’s historic Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano 2 event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Bahdi, born in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has gone undefeated since making his professional debut in mid-2019, winning his first 11 fights by knockout. The 30-year-old top contender had unanimous decision wins against Diego Fabian Eligio and Diego Andrade Chavez in 2022 before resuming his knockout streak. In May 2023, Bahdi defeated Jesus Amparan to claim the IBF North American Lightweight title.

“Signing with an innovative promoter, who puts fighters first, is one of the goals I’ve been working towards since I turned professional in 2019,” said “Prince” Lucas Bahdi. “I’m thrilled to be joining the Most Valuable Promotions team because I know that Jake Paul’s vision for boxers’ careers inside the ring and outside the ring will take me to where I want to be… a world champion and a star. Fighting on the Paul vs. Tyson undercard was just the beginning. I’m excited to keep showing the world what I’ve got.”

"Lucas Bahdi is an exceptional talent and a relentless competitor who embodies everything MVP stands for—passion, dedication, and doing the unexpected," said Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions. "With his impressive knockout power and undefeated record, Lucas has already made waves in the lightweight division, and we’re excited to work with him as he continues his journey toward becoming a world champion and global star. We look forward to Lucas Bahdi headlining an MVP event in Canada in 2025."

Bahdi 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, and India’s most successful professional boxer Neeraj Goyat.

Founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, with the mission to give athletes creative control, MVP works 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 previous 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.

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

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions 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 four global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Fury match, which surpassed 800,000 Pay-per-view buys worldwide. 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, recently earning a nomination for Event of The Year by Sports Business Journal. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of 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.

Monday, November 18, 2024

Paul-Tyson: A Reality Check?

The event between social media influencer turned aspiring boxer Jake Paul and International Boxing Hall of Famer and two-time World Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was one that stirred much opinion, criticism, and worry for Tyson’s health given that he would be getting back into the ring at fifty-eight years of age, more than twenty years removed from his last competitive fight in 2005 and four years removed from a charity exhibition, which had been the only time he had entered a Boxing ring since retirement. It was also a circumstance that as most events featuring those labeled as “Influencers” going against an athlete or a celebrity in a Boxing ring drew significant interest, particularly among those who are casual sports observers. For better or worse, that was the target demographic of the promotion and not those for whom Boxing is a regular passion.

Part of the draw was of course the appeal of Mike Tyson, a fighter whom in his prime was the primary drawing card of his time in the sport where no matter who he fought, drew significant interest. The interest, which was rooted in the fact that he would often destroy his opponents with a mix of hand speed and punching power that had not been seen before. It was and is this appeal where even many years removed from that athletic prime, there are those who still have the images implanted in their minds of the great fighter Tyson was as well as what he meant to the sport. Perhaps this is the reason why so many people were willing to overlook the logical aspects of what was going to take place when Tyson climbed back into the ring against Paul. Logical aspects such as advanced age and the things that naturally occur in all of us as we get older. In the context of combat sports athletes, this means eroded skills and slowed reflexes as well as more often than not, not being able to have as much flexibility or reaction time as they had in their younger days.

In Tyson’s case, his appeal was and will likely remain strong simply because of what he meant to the sport and the fact that thanks to the advent of streaming, access to his fights where he was in his prime and scoring devastating knockouts is more accessible than ever, which makes it easier for those who were not around during that time to see what he was all about. As one who grew up recording fights and still watches as much Boxing from decades prior to when I came along, and as someone who was around during Tyson’s prime and one who got to cover him from the mid-1990s when I began my career covering combat sports, through his retirement, I concede that technology has certainly evolved and access to fight films both from many years gone by as well as current bouts, has come a long way since the days when I recorded all I could on VHS tapes. Having said that, what access to those classic bouts can do for those who are casual fans is at times provide a false sense of belief that what they might be watching, which can be decades old, would be similar to what they would see if a fighter from that time got back into the ring in the present day, neglecting the passage of time and what happens to someone as they age.

Fighters too often fall into this belief as there is always the mentality among fighters that even years after retirement, they always have one more fight in them. While there will always be debates among Boxing lifers such as this observer as to what might have happened if a great fighter from one era faced a fighter from a more recent time where both were in their prime form, the belief that fighters tend to have about always having one more in them regardless of those logical factors is something that worries yours truly.

In this case, there was evidence that had me voicing concern as many others had for Tyson’s health. As some will recall in previewing this event, I brought up a similar circumstance that occurred three years ago when former Tyson opponent and fellow Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield got back into the ring at the same age Tyson did against Paul fifty-eight, to compete in a bout against former MMA world champion Vitor Belfort. Out of respect for the reader and the fact that discussing what occurred that night in September 2021 still stirs feelings of disgust for what was allowed to go occur that evening and keeping in mind that I already discussed it prior to this event, I will surmise it by saying though Holyfield visually looked to be in immaculate condition for someone approaching sixty years old prior to getting into the ring, the effects of age as well as the punishment he had suffered throughout his long career were impossible to ignore as Holyfield could not maintain his balance or protect himself in what ended up being one of the many black eyes in the Boxing history.

In the lead-up to this fight, frankly, I had feelings similar to those I had in the days before Holyfield-Belfort. A sincere concern and worry for Tyson’s well-being given his age, despite the visual evidence that he looked to be in great condition for a former fighter at an advanced age. Unlike the circumstances with Holyfield, however, I did not get any information prior to this event that suggested to me that Tyson would be compromised as Holyfield was. Nevertheless, as one who has seen an endless number of fighters getting back into the ring at advanced ages with that belief of having at least one more fight in them, often leading to scenes that are difficult to watch, my concern remained. It is, however, important to keep in mind that Tyson was getting into a ring with someone, who was thirty-one years younger, but one who does not have the level of experience of a seasoned boxer, having built his career on facing MMA fighters, with little to no Boxing experience, a former NBA basketball player, fellow influencers, and having a 2-1, with 2 Knockouts record against those with strictly Boxing backgrounds. Based on this, there was at least some question as to what might happen if Tyson were able to land punches effectively, despite the age difference and facing someone who is a good athlete though limited in terms of Boxing experience.

Although the encounter, which took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX on November 15th had slight modifications in the rules including two minute rounds and the use of sixteen ounce gloves and not the standard ten ounce gloves, which are used in standard Heavyweight fights, which seemed to at least on the surface benefit Tyson, it did not take long for reality to set in. Tyson appeared to show some flashes of what he once was early, applying pressure on Paul and landing a few hooks to the head. The obvious effects of advanced age appeared almost simultaneously as Tyson quickly found it difficult to use his legs to execute his lateral movement and had some trouble using his head movement to evade Paul’s longer reach and get on the inside where he could do damage. Paul was also able to clip Tyson with a few good punches throughout the scheduled eight round bout that seemed to stagger his legs.

As the bout progressed, Tyson showed less and less movement, less and less ability to land punches, and the only question I had in my mind was whether he would be allowed to finish the contest. Although Jake Paul has been the subject of much criticism including from this observer for seemingly thinking that one can build a legitimate Boxing career and get into position to fight for world championships by facing the types of opposition he has, none of which has come against a serious contender in any division, he did show some class and humility in this encounter by clearly not pressing the issue where he likely would have stopped Tyson and allowing the legend to go the distance in what was an uneventful contest, which though classified as an official fight, which Paul won by margins of eight rounds to zero on one scorecard and seven rounds to one on the other two, should have been designated as an exhibition.

Despite the criticisms of many, including yours truly of Paul for the aforementioned reasons, there is no disputing he has established himself as one of the sport’s rising promoters and he has done good for the sport in giving a platform for young fighters through his Most Valuable Promotions promotional company as well as being a strong advocate for Women’s Boxing, which I do respect. It was his promotional savvy that likely inspired digital streaming subscription entertainment network Netflix to get involved in the sport as the Tyson-Paul event was the first Boxing event ever to be shown by the network. While that also led to significant issues throughout the live broadcast due to the network having issues with their servers, which caused significant outages and buffering issues throughout the world for many trying to access the event, the accomplishment of bringing Boxing to such a massive platform is something that cannot be denied even though it should prepare the network for future live programming in wanting to ensure that their subscribers have as seamless an experience streaming live content as possible. Although by all accounts the event also succeeded in terms of a live gate attraction in reportedly drawing 70,000 spectators to AT&T Stadium, something that also deserves credit where it is due, the question that needs to be asked coming out of this event is should Paul-Tyson be a reality check?

A reality check in the sense that even though it clearly drew a lot of interest, it was still a scenario where an aspiring boxer shared the ring with someone who was many years removed from active competition and one who probably should not have been in the ring at fifty-eight years old. Though such events for better or worse do draw interest, for one who insists he wants to be taken seriously as a professional boxer, who says he wants to be a world champion as Paul does, taking part in events like this does not help his argument. As far as the interest this particular event drew, while nothing can be taken away from it in terms of a successful promotion, the reality is, events like this will only succeed so far as it becomes more and more clear that it is not a competitive situation and while the aim of such events is strictly to draw the interest of the casual observer, such interest will only last so long where it will succeed and if Paul as well as others who have come into Boxing from outside realms, who all want to be taken seriously, do not start facing serious boxers, who are working towards fighting for a world championship, the “Curiosity” factor, which seems to be the aim to draw casual observers, will not be there.

For now, this observer will congratulate Paul on another successful promotion. More importantly, yours truly is thankful that Mike Tyson did not get seriously hurt and that those of us who cover the sport are not talking about a tragedy or near tragedy occurring as was the case with Holyfield-Belfort. However, I believe that state athletic commissions need to implement common sense where such bouts are not green-lit and allowed to go on. Not only due to the significant age differences, but more importantly due to the obvious dangers that exist as well as what was, and will likely continue to be a significant difference in competition. At some point, those who regulate and sanction the sport need to step up to ensure the integrity of the sport is a priority.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Friday, November 15, 2024

Paul-Tyson Weigh-In Results

Press Release: November 14, 2024 By Netflix Most Valuable Promotions - IRVING, TX – November 14, 2024 – Today at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, international superstar Jake “El Gallo” Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) stepped on the scales ahead of their highly anticipated showdown.

Credit: Esther Lin Most Valuable Promotions

Combat sports announcer Kody "Big Mo" Mommaerts served as emcee, with reporting from Ariel Helwani onstage. British sports broadcaster Kate Scott co-hosted the weigh-ins desk, with Roy Jones Jr. serving as analyst, joined by Tyron Woodley. Adding to the excitement, UFC GOAT Anderson Silva made a special appearance, thrilling fans with his support for fellow Brazilian star Whindersson Nunes. For additional details on the final weights, please refer to the attached bout sheet.

All fighters on the main and preliminary cards participated in the weigh-in, including undisputed super lightweight champion Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and unified featherweight champion Amanda "The Real Deal" Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs), who will face off in the most-anticipated women's boxing rematch in history. Additional fighters showcased included Mario Barrios, Abel Ramos, Neeraj Goyat, Whindersson Nunes, Shadasia Green, Melinda Watpool, Lucas Bahdi, Armando Casamonica, Shu Shu Carrington Jr., and Dana Coolwell.

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will stream live globally, exclusively on Netflix on Friday, November 15 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Paul vs. Tyson will be available to stream live globally on all Netflix plans, at no additional cost to subscribers. The broadcast will feature live commentary in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French and German.

About Most Valuable Promotions (MVP)

Most Valuable Promotions 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 five global pay-per-view events, including the recent Paul vs. Diaz 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. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian was an executive producer of the historic Triller Presents Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr., which was the 8th most bought pay-per-view event in history.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services, with 283 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.

About AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world. Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world's largest HDTV video board cluster, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Features of the stadium include seating for 80,000 and expandability for up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year-round. Outside the stadium, the Miller Lite® House is a branded destination that boasts a 70-yard Cowboys turf field featuring field games, four video boards and over 60 television screens, two fantasy football screen walls and over 87,000 outdoor square-footage for event day experiences. The space also features two beer gardens and a walk-in beer cooler. The stadium is also home to a world-class collection of contemporary art, made up of over 92 works of art by 62 established and emerging artists displayed on the walls and in the grand public spaces of the venue. In addition to being the home of the Dallas Cowboys since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted Super Bowl XLV, the 2010 NBA All Star Game, the annual Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the 2014 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2015 inaugural College Football Playoff Championship Game, the 2015 50th Anniversary Academy of Country Music Awards show and WrestleMania 32 & 38. The venue has also played host to high school and college football, concerts, championship fights, international soccer matches and other special events. For more information, go to attstadium.com.

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

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