![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Al-Haymon-Biography-1.jpeg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Al-Haymon-Biography-1.jpeg?width=600)
Fans were just coming to grips with one of the year’s biggest news stories. Al Haymon‘s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) joined hands with Amazon Prime to broadcast their PPV fights across the United States. The reports follow boxing’s long-time staple, Showtime, after having spent 37 years in the sport and parting ways with it. The Showtime-PBC partnership had brought home some of the biggest matches of the day to the living room. Before he established PBC in 2015, Al Haymon had been integral to managing Floyd Mayweather Jr.‘s career.
The undefeated champion’s team came into contact with Showtime sometime in 2012 under a new honcho, Stephen Espinoza. He had joined the network a year ago. In a big coup, Showtime managed to sign up a multi-year deal with ‘The Money,’ who till then was with HBO. The 2015 ‘Fight of the Century’ between Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao bears testimony to that alliance. Showtime’s era is coming to an end. So the obvious question arises about the fate of the current management, including Espinoza. But, as they say, the wheel always turns. In this case, only the travelers, who have known each other for a long time, might band together and commence a new journey.
Al Haymon and Stephen Espinoza possible team-up
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New York-based boxing matchmaker Rick Glaser tweeted yesterday evening that Al Haymon has brought on board Stephen Espinoza to manage his new team, which has come up post-agreement with Amazon Prime. Glaser said, “Looks like #StephenEspinoza has landed on his feet, as the f**ing Weasel has been hired by #AlHaymon to run the production team for #PBC‘s new platform deal with #Amazon.“
The matchmaker further wrote, “Thankfully, he won’t be unemployed, & living off the Government. Espinoza probably will hire some of his cronies from #Showtime that were cut loose when Showtime left #Boxing & #MMA.” His comments immediately kicked off a storm of comments. One follower even questioned one of Glaser’s comments. They mentioned that Stephen Espinoza’s extensive background as a lawyer and boxing executive gives him a leg up in the field.
Looks like #StephenEspinoza has landed on his feet, as the fukking Weasel has been hired by #AlHaymon to run the production team for #PBC's new platform deal with #Amazon. Thankfully he won't be unemployed, & living off the Government. Espinoza probably will hire some of his…
— Rick Glaser (@RealRickGlaser1) December 8, 2023
But then another follower mentioned. Although Al Haymon officially employs Espinoza, the relationship between the two remains essentially unchanged.
Details of the deal in a jiffy
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Currently, PBC has under its stable nearly 150 boxers. Some of them, such as Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, the Charlo brothers, and Errol Spence Jr., are A-listers. So the deal, which officially kicks off in 2024, incorporates developing documentaries and other non-fight events involving boxers, besides showcasing bouts. The plan is to have 12–14 fights streamed annually, not restricted to pay-per-views only, though.
After YouTube and Netflix, Prime Video ranks third among over-the-top networks, with over $150 million members in the United States. Currently, it’s charging $14.99 per month. If customers are willing, with an additional payment of $2.99 per month, they will get ad-free streaming.
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What’s your take on the latest report in the PBC-Showtime-Amazon Prime saga? Please share your views with us in the comments below.
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