“It’s Wild!”: Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Says Netflix and Amazon Will Revolutionize Boxing as a Sport (Exclusive)

Towards the end of last year, fans were stoked with consecutive news about how boxing is going to change in the coming years. With Showtime, the 2.2 billion boxing giant, exiting, Top Rank selling out rumors, and boxers demanding more transparency, it is evident that fans will see a new dawn in the world of boxing. What tops the list of significant changes is Al Haymon‘s new deal with Amazon.

Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) has revealed an extended broadcasting agreement with Prime, marking a multi-year deal. This development comes as Showtime gears up to bid farewell to boxing at the conclusion of 2023. Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammed Ali‘s grandson and a celebrated fighter himself, gave his perspective in an interview with the ES Fancast on how this move might affect the viewership in boxing. Is he in support of it?

Nico Ali Walsh excited about Al Haymon’s Amazon deal

Amazon might not be the only new player in the game. Rumors have it that Netflix has also shown some interest in the sweet science. “So Amazon’s gonna be having fights which is crazy but we’re in a new era of boxing where anything is possible. They were talking about Netflix having fights, insane,” said Nico Ali in the ES Fancast interview.

Moreover, this exposes boxing to an entirely new and untapped fan base. “It’s wild, I can’t believe it but who would have thought Netflix taking up boxing. I think it would be super cool, it’d be different. It’d grab so many eyes of people who don’t watch boxing. There are people who don’t watch sports at all who watch Netflix. Everyone wants to watch boxing at some point.” added Nico Ali. He made the point of fans always wanting to see people fight to settle feuds. Boxing as a sport appeals to most, even the ones who are not ardent followers of it.

Is Bob Arun selling Top Rank?

Bob Arum, the head of Top Rank Boxing, has addressed recent rumors surrounding the sale of his promotional company. After retired boxing matchmaker Rick Glaser suggested that Top Rank was in the final stages of being sold to Endeavor, home to WWE and UFC, Arum quickly dismissed the claims. Boxing journalist Dan Rafael shared Arum’s response, revealing a text from the 91-year-old promoter who was in Tokyo at the time.

Read More: “Boxing Is in a Good Place”: After $2.2 Billion Network’s Boxing Exit, Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Nico Ali Walsh Contemplates Top Rank’s “New Era of Boxing” (Exclusive)

Arum expressed that the rumors were false, emphasizing that he had not discussed any such sale and had no intentions of retiring. “Total crazy s**t. I have not talked about this with anyone. We are not for sale. I have no intention to retire. Having too much fun,” stated Arum, debunking all rumors.

With the landscape changing, many find it to be for the better, while some stay doubtful still. As Nico Ali made it clear in the ES Fancast interview, he welcomes the changes. Which side are you on?

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