Boxing Insider Casts Dark Shadows Over Amazon Deal After Exposing PBC’s Poor Financial Situation

Rick Glaser is back. The New York-based boxing matchmaker has once again picked PBC as a target for his tweet. In the previous message, he spoke about how the Al Haymon-led promotions were at the threshold of ‘total collapse’ on account of insufficient funds. In the latest post, the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame (NYSBHOF) inductee touched upon the non-PPV business. But the overall narrative remains the same. A business seemingly hampered by financial constraints. It was in December last year that PBC and Amazon Prime inked a multi-year deal. It followed Showtime, with whom the promotion had enjoyed a partnership since 2015, bowing out of the sport. So Al Haymon and his team had to check out a new platform to air the pay-per-view and non-pay-per-view fights.

Per the agreed schedule, the first event took place on March 30 with the Tim Tszyu–Sebastian Fundora headliner. On June 15, twin main fights at the MGM Grand Arena, featuring Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin and Davis Benavidez vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk, will be the year’s second event for the promotion. So in his current tweet, Glaser shared his observations on PBC’s non-PPV engagement.

First, the New York matchmaker sarcastically extended his best wishes to all those anticipating a response from the PBC on the non-pay-per-view fights. “For those awaiting the non-PPV #PBC #Boxing shows on #AmazonPrime that you were promised by PBC in the announcement of the #Amazon deal, good luck,” stated Rick Glaser.

The simple reason why he slyly expressed his best wishes, Glaser explained, was on account of PBC experiencing financial limitations. Of course, an investor could always pitch to rescue the sinking ship. But it may all depend on how Al Haymon decides to spend it, said Rick Glaser. “Because there’s no way for the cash-strapped PBC to fund it unless a new deep-pocketed investor walks thru that door looking for #AlHaymon to blowup more investor money,” said the New York State Boxing Hall of Famer.

He further added that this is precisely the legacy PBC has built over the years. He said, “That’s the #Haymon way. And that’s what PBC has been all about. Remember that slogan PBC had “Freeeee Boxing” Well, now in reality it’s “PPV for everything.“

The feed has been receiving considerable reaction since it came yesterday. One of the users asked whether the PBC would be able to move ahead under the conditions currently reported. In their view, the promotion has been experiencing a waning influence, especially with that ‘horrible broadcasting deal’. Rick Glaser replied that the promotion was now in hot water.

Not so long ago

In the previous post, Glaser mentioned that PBC’s future could be uncertain. It faces significant challenges that, if not addressed on time, may lead to its eventual downfall. He wrote that the June 15 Gervonta Davis and David Benavidez joint headline might as well be Amazon Prime’s concluding broadcast with the PBC. Even if the event results in significant PPV sales, the situation is not going to change, he further stated.

Citing how other promotions such as Top Rank, Golden Boy, and Matchroom Boxing are doing so well with events lined up till year-end, Rick Glaser said, “PBC keeps losing TV/Streaming partners, some a result of PBC dysfunction. This will be the 11th TV/Streaming partner that PBC has lost in their 9 years of existence….PBC has zero scheduled after June 15. It’s all doom & gloom at PBC. Could thee end be near, or is there a Hail Mary sweetheart investor coming forth with more money for Al Haymon to squander away!!!“

There have been other tweets much earlier as well where Rick Glaser spoke at length about the financial quagmire facing PBC. For sure, many fans would now be eagerly looking forward to PBC’s response to the boxing matchmaker’s latest claim.

What’s your take on Rick Glaser’s latest update on PBC? Please share your views with us in the comments below.