Bob Arum Warns Al Haymon to Avoid This “Death Knell” for the Sport of Boxing on Amazon’s Prime Video

A new chapter unfolds with Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) partnering with Amazon Prime Video. But, amidst this groundbreaking shift, a seasoned voice rings a warning bell. Bob Arum, a legendary figure in boxing promotion, raises an eyebrow at this new venture.

What could possibly worry a man who has seen it all in the squared circle? PBC’s first foray on Prime features the much-anticipated Tim Tszyu vs. Keith Thurman bout on 30th March. Yet, lurking behind the glitz, Arum points out something amiss. Why is he cautioning Al Haymon, the architect of this deal?

The Bob Arum red alert

“First of all, the Amazon Prime people are first-rate,” Arum acknowledges, commending the platform’s quality. His experience with Amazon in Japan through Top Rank solidifies his confidence in their capabilities. Yet, he quickly pivots to the crux of his concern, stating, “The only thing I would hope is that they don’t overload it with pay per view.”

Arum emphasizes the potential pitfalls, “If Al [Haymon] disproportionately uses them [Amazon Prime] to do PPV, that’s a disaster for the sport.” His perspective stems from a deep understanding of boxing’s dynamics. PPV, while lucrative, can gatekeep the sport from wider audiences. “I’ve always believed that the PPV fights should be few and far between,” Arum asserts, advocating for more free-to-consumer fights.

He reinforces his stance, “If boxing is going to take all of its fights and put it on PPV, it’s going to be the death knell for the sport of boxing.” These words resonate with the gravity of a sport at a crossroads, highlighting the delicate balance between profitability and accessibility.

Bob isn’t the only one to oppose this idea, Rick Glaser also spoke out about this.

Questioning Al Haymon’s matchmaking

Rick Glaser, known for his straightforward views, took to Twitter to voice his skepticism. “The real definition of insanity is doing the same thing over & over again, expecting different results. #AlHaymon maybe insane,” he tweeted, targeting the upcoming PBC event featuring Keith Thurman vs. Tim Tszyu. His critique intensified as he labeled the main event, along with the Rolly Romero vs. Isaac Cruz co-main event, as “embarrassing and a start of another demise.”

Glaser bluntly attributed the “debacle” to Haymon, mockingly adding, “And they want you to pay for this garbage via PPV. 😆😂🤣 #BlameHaymon.” His comments reflect a growing concern over the quality of fights and the broader direction of PBC’s partnership with Amazon Prime.

Also Read: PBC Will Stage 2 Fights on Amazon Prime Video as a Lead-in to Tszyu-Thurman With Romero-Cruz March 30 PPV, List of Fights Revealed

Will the shift to streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, coupled with a heavy reliance on pay-per-view events, enhance the sport’s reach or hinder its growth? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

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