LAS VEGAS: We're learning more about the movements of Premier Boxing Champions and how that might pertain to two of its biggest stars — Gervonta Davis and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
After Paramount sunset its Showtime Sports brand, which had aired PBC's shows, the Al Haymon-led firm announced a deal with Amazon Prime that included the following:
- A multi-year rights agreement beginning in 2024
- Prime Video to distribute PBC events in the US
- Prime to air a mixture of 12-14 PPV and non-PPV events annually
- Ability to purchase pay-per-view events without a Prime subscription
- 'PBC Championship Boxing' programming for those in the US and other countries
- Behind-the-scenes PBC docuseries, live weigh-ins, and on-demand access to previous events
- A PBC on Prime debut in March
Now, as it's late January, ProBox TV looked through publicly-available information on the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) calendar, and contacted a source with knowledge of PBC's company strategy, to find out more, and if March is still the planned month for lift-off.
Here's what we know:
- TGB Promotions — the promoter that PBC most-often works with — already has NSAC holds for events on February 24, March 2, March 23, and March 30
- Not all requests for commission holds on dates for events materialize into actual live shows
- This month TGB added a NSAC hold for an event on May 4
This is what our source said:
- PBC will likely make an announcement, possibly this week, regarding an upcoming event
- March 30 is a probable date for the first PBC on Prime show
- This show will take place in Las Vegas
- Frank Martin is not believed to be next in line to fight 'Tank' Davis
- The hold for May 4 is likely in anticipation for 'Canelo' Alvarez's return to the ring
- Jaime Munguia is not believed to be next in line to fight Canelo
- There is a big runway until Canelo vs. TBD on the weekend closest to Cinco de Mayo
- Jermall Charlo is the probable frontrunner
- Though Canelo has a three-fight deal with PBC, there could be scope for a fourth bout together
Here's more information:
There is great anticipation regarding PBC's return to the boxing business.
In Las Vegas, last year, Haymon — through his partnership with Showtime Sports President Stephen Espinoza — helped organize some of the year's biggest and/or best-selling bouts.
It all began with David Benavidez's bludgeoning of Caleb Plant, included the year's PPV monster between Tank and Ryan Garcia, and also featured Terence Crawford's all-time-great victory over career rival Errol Spence Jr.
In the latter part of the year, there was also the first bout of Canelo's three-fight PBC deal — against Jermell Charlo, and Benavidez's extraordinary finish over Demetrius Andrade.
All of the shows aired on Showtime Sports.
While rival US promoters like Golden Boy Promotions, Top Rank, and Matchroom US have either already hosted events in the US, or have multiple shows in the country on the horizon, PBC has yet to announce an event — let alone a schedule.
That will soon change.
A schedule announcement will not be forthcoming but those within the company expect a statement regarding an event to be made imminently. The first PBC on Prime event will likely air March 30.
PBC held many tentpole events in Vegas last year and are moving toward repeating that in 2024.
One such event will be May 4 when Canelo returns to the ring, albeit, presumably against Jermall Charlo rather than Munguia as has been discussed by ProBox TV sources from Mexico, as well as Golden Boy founder and Munguia promoter Oscar de la Hoya in recent weeks.
When Canelo first signed with PBC, the same source told ProBox TV that, while best-laid plans in boxing can change at a moment's notice or an errant fight result, the three-fight swing would feature bouts against Jermell Charlo — a fighter he's already beaten, his brother Jermall Charlo, and then David Benavidez.
That still appears to be the strategy as, though May is almost four months away and, again, things can change, Jermall is far likelier to box Canelo in Las Vegas than Munguia.
Canelo's second fight of the year, typically in September, could be against Benavidez, the source said once again.
This time, though, it could be a two-fight deal as a rematch clause would likely be added to any Canelo-Benavidez event.
It all begins with PBC's first fight announcement expected in the coming week.
From there, it would be safe to assume that fight announcements could come thick and fast.
