Stephen Espinoza has responded to the rumors surrounding Showtime’s potential exit from boxing in 2024.
The network has put on the biggest boxing events this year, which has included Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia, Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo. All three bouts have resulted in a gate in excess of $20 million, something which Espinoza highlighted as being more than the UFC had ever done in its history. Although that may be the case, their future is uncertain. However, Espinoza did point out that the network’s future has been questioned since 2018. As such, things were in the balance moving forward.
Stephen Espinoza talks rumors of Showtime getting out of Boxing and Dana White. @koartistsports
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“These kind of rumours are something we’ve dealt with consistently since at least 2018. I understand why they are happening now; Paramount is going through a lot of changes, in fact there have been a lot of changes throughout the media industry. The reality right here right now is that nobody knows what the future holds. All we can do is keep making the best fights and that’s our response. Everyone can say that we’re going out of business, and that we have been since 2018, but all we do is continue to put on the biggest and best fights. There hasn’t been a decision made yet but anything could happen,” Espinoza stated
If Showtime were to drop out, then the implications would be massive. PBC would have to find a new network to air their fights. Meanwhile, since Showtime has put on major fights throughout the years, their absence would leave a huge gap in the market. Although their departure may open up doors for other networks to prosper, for the fanbase, it has left things uncertain.
“There hasn’t been a decision made yet but anything could happen. What I am confident of is that this sport always survives and that it will continue to thrive whether it’s on Showtime for another 37 years or a transition to somewhere else. The sport is as healthy as it has been for a long, long time,” Espinoza