Organization: Top Rank Boxing
Founders: Bob Arum and Jabir Herbert Muhammad
Network: ESPN
Year Founded: 1966
Current Notable Fighters: Terence Crawford, Shakur Stevenson, Vasyl Lomachenko
Top Rank Boxing has been a leading promotional company in the sport of boxing for more than 50 years. The company is responsible for many of the greatest bouts in boxing history and has promoted champions in every weight class. Jabir Herbert Muhammad and Bob Arum founded the company that was originally named Main Bout in 1966. The company's first order of business was to promote fights and act as the negotiation team for the pay-per-view rights to fights involving boxing icon Muhammad Ali. The company changed its name to Top Rank Boxing in 1973 and is credited with helping the fledgling cable television business find its legs by making boxing available on the channels. Bob Arum is still in as the head man at Top Rank Boxing, and the company is still at the top of the boxing industry in a new millennium. The list of fighters in the Top Rank stable is as good as any, and many of the top upcoming fights in boxing over the next year are courtesy of Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing. Fans of boxing should head over to StubHub and secure their place in the arena.
The leading ticket marketplace in the world is StubHub. You can find Top Rank Boxing tickets at StubHub.
Top Rank Boxing is responsible for many of the top fight cards in the boxing industry on a year-to-year basis. January events scheduled by Top Rank Boxing include stops at Atlantic City, New Jersey's
Mark G. Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
, as well as, the
Turning Stone Resort and Casino
in Verona, New York. Top Rank Boxing will put on a heavyweight championship rematch between champion Deontay Wilder and challenger Tyson Fury at the
MGM Grand Garden Arena
in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 22. The last fight between the two top heavyweights ended in a draw and the rematch is sure to earn early consideration for the fight of the year.
Terence Crawford is the WBO welterweight champion of the world and is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in boxing. Stablemate Vasyl Lomachenko is enjoying a standout pro career despite the late start he received due to a long and historic stint in the amateurs. Shakur Stevenson is a 22-year-old featherweight who became one of the youngest champions in boxing with an October victory.
The history of super fights promoted by Top Rank boxing began with the second fight in the Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier heavyweight championship trilogy. Top Rank boxing also promoted both of Muhammad Ali's fights with Leon Spinks. The legacy of super fights continued in the 1980s with the fights Sugar Ray Leonard had with Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. Top Rank also promoted the epic fight Hagler and Hearns fought against each other. Top Rank Boxing was also the promoter in the 1990s that provided the platform for the amazing comeback for George Foreman.
Top Rank boxing fans have a lot to look forward to in the signing of Xander Zayas, the youngest prospect ever signed by Arum and company. Zayas is just 16 years old. He decided it was time to turn pro and continue to develop his skill as a fighter when he learned a rule change meant he would not be allowed to compete in the 2020 Olympics. Top Rank also signed Puerto Rican talent Orlando Gomez in 2019. Gomez is off to an excellent 12-0 start as a professional after winning 162 out of 178 fights as an amateur. Super featherweight Mikaela Mayer and welterweight Alexander Besputin are two other Top Rank fighters that boxing fans should keep their eye on.