PBC was dealt a major blow last year when television network Showtime left boxing.
Streaming giants Amazon Prime have partnered with PBC to fill the void and they kick-off their schedule with Tim Tszyu taking on Keith Thurman, Rolando Romero-Issac Cruz and Erislandy Lara facing off with Michael Zerafa at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 31.
However, large parts of the deal are unclear between Amazon and the promotional outfit in terms of how many dates, the budget and more.
Matchroom, alongside streaming partner DAZN, have made an impact on boxing’s American market with stars such as Canelo Alvarez and Devin Haney competing on the platform.
“I think that PBC have a lot of fighters and probably not the dates to fill for the fighters now,” Frank Smith said, in an interview for ProBox TV. “I think that it is going to be tough with a lot of pay-per-view shows. I do think there will be opportunities [to sign PBC fighters to Matchroom]. Let’s see, we have worked with PBC, we have always worked with a number of their fighters. Fighters represented by Tom Brown, we had a great relationship with Luis de Cubas as well, so we have always done business there. There are fights to be made, hopefully we will see them all.”
Arguably PBC’s biggest draw, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, is reportedly eyeing a return to action this summer in Matchroom’s home of England. Davis would be making his second trip to the UK, he visited London in 2017 to defend his IBF super-featherweight world title with a third round stoppage of Cromer’s Liam Walsh. Tank and former promoter Floyd Mayweather parted ways last year, leaving an opening for Hearn and Matchroom.
“I don’t know who he is going to fight, but it would be great to see him here again,” Smith added. “Everyone would love to work with Tank, he is a superstar. He does massive numbers and is very entertaining. Him and Eddie have had a great relationship over the years, so hopefully we can make something happen.”
