“Game Changed Shout Out”: Fans Welcome Al Hayman’s PBC Deal With Amazon Prime, Following Showtime’s Exit From Boxing

Finally, the news that a multitude of fans had been waiting for. Al Haymon‘s PBC seems to have secured a partnership deal with Amazon Prime. It’s a multi-year contract currently meant for customers based in the United States. The latest development comes in the wake of Showtime‘s departure from boxing. With many big match-ups expected next year, for the fans, who were quite concerned, the alliance couldn’t have come at a more opportune time.

Yesterday evening, talkSPORT‘s Michael Benson wrote, “Al Haymon’s PBC has signed a multi-year USA broadcast deal with Amazon Prime.” So besides the major championship fights and behind-the-scenes docuseries, customers would be able to view most of the PPV fights fought under the PBC’s banner. Incidentally, the first one might turn up as early as March.

A big thumbs-up!

Given Amazon Prime’s reach, PBC has surely taken a monumental stride in its efforts to bring boxing a bit closer to its massive fan base. This year alone, beginning with the Ryan Garcia–Gervonta Davis fight, followed by the Terence Crawford–Errol Spence Jr. fight, and the Canelo Alvarez–Jermell Charlo match, the promotions brought home three of the biggest matches of the year.

Appreciating Al Haymon’s business acumen, this fan called out the giant leap taken by PBC.

For this fan, the partnership signals the onset of a greater number of boxing matches, thereby benefiting the fans in return.

Highlighting how Amazon Prime boasts over 167 subscriptions in the United States, this fan lauded PBC’s groundbreaking step.

To this user, the Amazon Prime-PBC agreement would be in a different class than what Showtime offered.

To this follower, it is the most potent step taken in boxing thus far this year. They were under the impression that Queensbury‘s Frank Warren might have had a fantastic run this year. However, as it appears, Al Haymon might have had better going in comparison.

It was on March 10, 1986, that Showtime began its journey by airing the Marvelous Marvin Hagler and John Mugabi.

Showtime to Amazon Prime: Records and more

Amazon Prime, via a press release, said, “Today, Prime Video and PBC announced a landmark multiyear rights agreement to deliver viewers the boxing industry’s most significant events, providing fans with year-round access to the best matchups featuring the biggest stars in boxing. Prime Video will distribute PBC’s industry-leading pay-per-view (PPV) events in the US, with the first event anticipated for March 2024. PBC PPV fights will be available for all viewers to purchase, regardless of Prime membership….”

During their heydays, Showtime and HBO played out their rivalry to the hilt. The former even succeeded in pulling out the likes of Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. from the latter’s rolls for their stable. It was Showtime that aired seven of Mayweather Jr.’s biggest PPV matches. It includes the 2015 ‘Fight of the Century’ with Manny Pacquiao, whose record is yet to be broken. Then two years later, in 2017, ‘The Money Fight’ with Conor McGregor became the second-highest grosser.

Scores of fans are viewing the news on a positive note. 2023 has been great for boxing. So, on an obvious note, the expectations for 2024 have been set high. A record-setting bout could be on the horizon in the new year. One that the new generation of boxing fans will remember fondly.

Read More: Who Is Al Haymon, the Boss Behind Curtains and Why Is He So Important in Boxing After Showtime Exit?

What’s your take on the latest development? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

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