ESPN is not known as the ‘Worldwide Leader’ for nothing – it is quite simply a broadcasting behemoth which has become a dominant sports player globally, and ESPN Boxing is a big part of that.
The Disney-owned network has been a really strong advocate for the sport even in its toughest times, and its coverage of the fight game – notably with analysts like Max Kellerman and writers like Dan Rafael – has kept boxing really in the news.
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Now some of the sport’s top fighters show off their skills on ESPN through a seven-year contractual pact between the network and Top Rank (worth a reported $84million a year to the promoter), the behemoth owned by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. These fighters include lineal, WBC and Ring magazine heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
ESPN has always been a huge deal in boxing circles – its reach is so big that fighters and promoters are always desperate for some love from the ‘Worldwide Leader’.
Never was ESPN’s support for boxing been more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. The highlight being when it put up the cash to keep the huge Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez away from pay-per-view. Instead that bout – on October 17, 2020 – was shown on ESPN free-to-air and drew a terrific audience of 2.898million (peak).
Now ESPN is able to devote even more time to boxing (and other sports) courtesy of its relatively new ESPN+ streaming platform. The service – which has more than 12million subscribers already, has a mass of content available to viewers for a relatively cost-effective monthly subscription fee. More of that later…
ESPN Boxing schedule
ESPN has some great fights upcoming, and here is the latest schedule:
- September 20: Jaime Munguia vs Erik Bazinyan (Glendale)
- September 27: Sandy Ryan vs Mikaela Meyer (New York)
- October 12: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol (Riyadh)
You can also get boxing picks and predictions for major upcoming fights
ESPN fighters
As already detailed, ESPN has a huge contract with Arum and his Top Rank Promotions – probably the biggest promotional company in the world.
This means the following big-name fighters (to name but a few) all currently fight on ESPN in the United States:
Tyson Fury: The lineal, WBC and Ring magazine heavyweight champion, who is part way through a five-fight £80million deal with the network.
Teofimo Lopez: Former lightweight world champion, now campaigning at super-lightweight and one of the most exciting young stars around.
Vasiliy Lomachenko: Known as ‘The Matrix’ and one of the greatest fighters of his generation. Had a stellar amateur career before winning world title after world title in the pros.
Naoya Inoue: Now #1 on the P4P list, ‘The Monster’ from Japan is one of THE most exciting fighters around.
Artur Beterbiev: Unbeaten light-heavyweight king who is the accepted superstar at 175. Hopefully will finally throw down with great rival Dmitry Bivol later this year.
Miguel Berchelt: Lost his WBC super-featherweight when suffering a crushing KO defeat at the hands of Oscar Valdez in Vegas in February.
Oscar Valdez: Unbeaten star who produced a highlight-reel knockout to defeat Berchelt and claim the WBC super-featherweight strap. That put the exclamation point on a superb performance.
Emanuel Navarrete: Two-weight world champion who has big fights ahead in 2021.
Efe Ajagba: Nigerian heavyweight prospect who remains unbeaten and is ranked in the top 15 by most sanctioning bodies. Not massively impressive though in his Top Rank/ESPN debut and will need to improve.
Josh Taylor: Unified super-welterweight king from Scotland, and a hugely talented operator.
ESPN Plus login
As already mentioned, ESPN+ is the streaming platform for the ‘Worldwide Leader’ with a ton of viewing options available – including a good amount of boxing that you can’t see on regular ESPN.
To access ESPN, you’ll need to get a login, and here is how the process goes:
- Go to the login page to set up an account, or download the ESPN app
- Input your details to register your account
- Set up your payment details and confirm your subsription (monthly or annual)
- You are now set up to watch ESPN+
In addition to boxing, ESPN+ offers UFC, college basketball, soccer, golf and more as well as a ton of original documentary shows.
ESPN Plus price: how much does it cost?
There are two subscription options and price points for ESPN+ – you can pay either monthly or annually.
The current price of a monthly subscription is $5.99 while an annual sub will cost you $59.99.
ESPN Plus free trial
Sadly ESPN+ does not currently offer a free trial but this may change in the future and we will keep you right up to date. So check back regularly for details, and of course for the updated ESPN Boxing schedule.
ESPN Plus PPV
ESPN+ does carry some PPV (pay-per-view) programming, headlined by major UFC shows. For example the recent Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier rematch.
You can purchase UFC PPV alone for $69.99 or as a bundle with ESPN+ for $89.99.
ESPN Plus customer service
The ESPN website does have FAQs and Member Services areas, but if these do not have your required intel, you can call instead.
The number to call is: 1-888-549-ESPN
