By: Sean Crose
“Paramount Plus will change into the unique residence of Zuffa Boxing all through the U.S., Canada, and Latin America beginning in January 2026!” So learn a Monday assertion from Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
“Starting in January 2026,” the assertion reads, “Paramount will solely distribute a full slate of Zuffa Boxing occasions beginning with 12 action-packed playing cards, with plans to develop that quantity in subsequent years. The bouts shall be accessible through Paramount’s direct-to-consumer streaming platform Paramount+, with the potential for choose occasions to be simulcast on CBS, America’s main broadcast community, and different Paramount platforms.”
Dana White is, in fact, a cheerful man, for he’s lengthy dreamed to be a significant participant within the boxing recreation. “I’m excited to deliver nice boxing occasions to a world viewers,” he mentioned. “There are tens of millions of boxing followers that may now have the ability to watch aggressive fights with up-and-coming boxers in addition to the most important stars within the sport. Paramount would be the residence for UFC and boxing followers to observe the best fights in fight sports activities.”
Saudi Sports activities honcho Turki Alalshikh additionally has a lot to be happy with for the time being. “This partnership with Paramount,” he acknowledged, “reinforces our imaginative and prescient to redefine the way in which viewers devour boxing. Extra battle followers will now have entry to observe a number of the most fun boxers round. We have now seen the proof that the urge for food is there, that is the long run for stay boxing protection and can guarantee the game continues to thrive.”
Amongst different issues, the deal signifies that boxing is probably not off normal tv for lengthy. The struggling sport was just lately dropped from community television totally. But with Monday’s announcement stating Zuffa Boxing has “the potential for choose occasions to be simulcast on CBS” it seems boxing’s time away from community tv is likely to be a short lived factor.
One factor is definite – this deal places the game of boxing again within the highlight. The truth that Dana White is concerned means the media shall be drawn to the story. What this all means for boxing nevertheless, stays to be seen. Hopefully, this can show to be improvement for the game. White has his personal means of seeing issues. His strategy has labored wonders for the UFC. Will it have the identical affect on boxing? And, in that case, will that be factor? The fight sports activities’ world will discover out quickly sufficient.
