MVP announces broadcast deal with ESPN and new MVPW platform
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) today announced the launch of MVPW, a new global platform for women’s boxing, alongside a broadcasting agreement with ESPN through 2028. The MVPW platform debuts with MVPW-01 on Sunday, April 5, in London, where Sky Sports will broadcast the event live in the United Kingdom and it will be streamed live in the U.S. on the ESPN App.
Featuring in London will be the battle between Caroline Dubois, 12-0-1 (5 KOs), and Terri Harper, 16-2-2 (6 KOs), alongside Ellie Scotney, 11-0, taking on Mayelli Flores, 13-1-1 (4 KOs).
The platform makes its U.S. linear premiere on Friday, April 17 with MVPW-02, headlined by super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner, 17-1 (7 KOs), against Bo Mi Re Shin, 19-3-3 (10 KOs) at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
That will be followed on May 30, in El Paso, Texas, headlined by MVP’s WBA lightweight beltholder Stephanie Han, 12-0 (3 KOs) defending her title against the veteran Holly Holm, 34-3-3 (9 KOs).
The deal will deliver a mix of linear and streaming distribution and it represents a significant milestone for women’s boxing.
“Since inception MVP has strategically focused on creating an umbrella brand as the global home for women’s boxing, with the best fighters in the world, that engages existing boxing fans and attracts untapped fan demographics that embrace women’s sport, and today, we proudly enter a new era,” both Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of Most Valuable Promotions, are quoted as saying in the press release. ”Over the past five years, we have invested heavily in female athletes, delivered historic and record-breaking events, and proven that these athletes belong on the biggest stages in the sport. Partnering with ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, to launch MVPW across its platforms is a historic milestone, and aligning with the world’s most iconic venue, Madison Square Garden, as we introduce the brand in the U.S. reinforces the scale and ambition behind what we are building."
“MVPW brings together some of the most accomplished and dynamic championship athletes in boxing, competing on a stage that reflects the magnitude of their talent,” said Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions. “We’re proud to bring these championship matchups to ESPN and the ESPN App and further elevate women’s boxing for fans across the country.”
Most Valuable Promotions’ upcoming cards are expected to air on ESPN as part of a multi-show deal.