On May 16th, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. embarked on a new era when they debuted on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, following nearly a year of uncertainty as to the future following Top Rank’s exit from ESPN after eight years. While that debut event did not provide much highlights as Keyshawn Davis scored a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision over Nahir Albright in their anticipated rematch, the promotion’s second event figures to provide potentially “Fireworks.” This observer is referring to Top Rank’s return to DAZN on Saturday, July 4th where two of Boxing's hottest rising stars will defend their world titles in separate twelve round bouts at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH.
First up will be undefeated WBC World Featherweight champion Bruce Carrington making the first defense of his world title against undefeated current North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Featherweight champion Rene Palacios. Carrington won the WBC World Featherweight championship in January of this year with a ninth round knockout of Carlos Castro in New York’s Madison Square Garden. With a record of 17-0, with 10 Knockouts, the recently crowned champion has a good mix of hand speed and punching power and having successfully made the transition from prospect, to contender, to a world champion, the task for Carrington now is to show that he can perform to the standard that most think of when they talk about world champions. Though he has proven to this point that he could climb the ladder of contention all the way to the top and did not face much resistance on his path to becoming a world champion, the competition level is likely to only increase as a champion rather than as a fighter chasing a world title.
This first title defense for Carrington presents something of a unique scenario. Both champion and challenger are unbeaten going into this encounter, and both are at least statistically, at similar stages of their respective careers. In Rene Palacios, Carrington will face someone with slightly more experience with a record of 19-0-1 with 10 Knockouts. Palacios won the WBC-affiliated NABF Featherweight title in his last fight in January with a ten round split decision over Sulaiman Segawa in Maryland. While this fight has the appearance of a dual between two boxer/punchers, a potential red flag at least in the eyes of some is Palacios has only fought here in the United States twice in his career and with the exception of his NABF title win, has not fought what could be defined as a household name to this point in his career. Palacios’ fight against Sulaiman Segawa was ugly at points and was an encounter that did not necessarily mesh well, but one thing Palacios was able to do throughout that fight was stay in close where he was essentially pinned to Segawa’s chest. Though it did not necessarily make for the most entertaining fight depending on one's perspective, it proved at least on that occasion to be an effective strategy because he was able to limit Segawa’s offensive output and was able to grind out a decision victory. Whether or not Palacios can show that he is ready for what will likely be viewed as a step up by trying to implement a similar strategy in this fight against the unbeaten champion Bruce Carrington remains to be seen.
The second main event on the card will feature undefeated WBO World Lightweight champion Abdullah Mason defending his title against WBO number six contender Albert Bell. Much like Bruce Carrington, Abdullah Mason appears to be on the fast track to becoming one of the next potential superstars of the sport. In his last fight, Mason scored a hard fought twelve round unanimous decision over a very determined Sam Noakes to win the vacant WBO World Lightweight championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in November of last year. It was that fight, though a victory for Mason, that brought an end to a knockout streak of nine consecutive fights. Nevertheless, with a record of 20-0, with 17 Knockouts, Mason has continued to impress with each performance inside the ring.
Now as a champion, Mason embarks on a new chapter in his career, but not the start of it that he expected. As most know, Mason was originally scheduled to defend his title against former IBF World Jr. Lightweight world champion Joe Cordina. Cordina, however, was forced to withdraw from the fight due to being denied entry into the United States from his native England for the bout due to visa issues. In steps Bell on a little more than two weeks' notice to challenge Mason for the title.
Bell, will enter what will be his first opportunity at a world championship unbeaten with a record of 28-0, with 9 Knockouts, and has been a longtime contender in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight and 135lb. Lightweight divisions having won regional titles at the IBF North American and North American Boxing Organization (NABO) levels to name a few. Although this will be his first shot at a world title, Bell does have the experience and skillset to potentially give Mason some problems. It will be interesting to see how the two fighters’ styles mesh up stylistically. What should not be overlooked is both champion and challenger are in a situation where both will have to adjust to a new opponent on limited notice and that aspect alone always seems to carry a bit of the unknown with it. Like the champion, Bell was in preparation to face a different opponent on this card and though a golden opportunity knocked on his door here with an opportunity to fight for a world title, it is nevertheless an adjustment for the challenger as much as it is the champion.
While this card will be another in a growing list of cards broadcast by DAZN in an ever growing roster of promotional partners, this card will also be the first in a partnership with cable network TNT under “The Fight” series moniker. Although some have been critical of this partnership and have used it in a way to criticize DAZN and paint a picture of possible financial trouble, this observer feels simulcasting select events via a cable network like TNT will be beneficial for both entities. For DAZN, it is obvious that it can be used as a way to both promote and grow its network by trying to attract new eyes who may not be familiar with their network and the fact that it is both streaming and subscription-based. For TNT, who recently lost its long-standing NBA rights and may be part of a much wider acquisition between its current parent company WarnerDiscovery and Paramount, the deal with DAZN provides sports programming and and a way to try and fill dates in the schedule with sports programming in the absence of NHL Hockey, where they still hold broadcast rights. Some may not be old enough to remember, or may have forgotten that there was a brief period in the 1990s where TNT, a sister network of HBO, the one time Boxing powerhouse and proclaimed “Network of Champions” did air Boxing programming under the “Title Night on TNT” moniker, with its own broadcast team and its own events separate from HBO. Though the series did not last long and came during a time where TNT aimed at an older demographic and whose sports programming was limited to the now defunct WCW wrestling, NBA games, and sporadic Nascar and PGA Golf.
Perhaps at that time, the brain trusts of one of the numerous corporate entities that TNT and its sister networks fell under at the time, felt that because HBO was such a powerhouse in the sport at the time that there was no need for a separate Boxing property on a different network within the corporate portfolio that HBO and TNT fell under at the time. Though this agreement between DAZN and TNT is a simulcast deal and it will be DAZN’s logo, presentation, and broadcast airing on TNT, if it turns out to be successful it may lead to more Boxing programming on the network, which can only be viewed as a positive for the sport. It is something that all involved with the sport should be rooting for.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Fight: Mason vs. Bell / Carrington vs. Palacios takes place on Saturday, July 4th at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH. The full card can be seen worldwide on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 7PM ET/4PM PT and will also be simulcast on TNT in the United States on cable/Live TV providers at the aforementioned start times.
(*North American Start Times Only.* Card and Start Times Subject to Change.*)
For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.
For more information about TNT including schedules and channel numbers on your cable/Live TV provider please visit: www.TNTDrama.com.
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