Top Rank’s Thin DAZN Schedule Tells Half The Story

Darshan Desai of Uncrowned highlighted the unusual arrangement Wednesday while examining DAZN’s schedule. Raymond Muratalla fought Robson Conceição on a Golden Boy card earlier this month, Top Rank fighters Albert Gonzalez and Samuel Contreras competed on a Matchroom show in July, and Giovani Santillan takes another route when he faces Abass Baraou on September 11 in a ProBoxTV headliner.

Building a full show requires considerably more than placing a fighter on an existing lineup. Opponents require negotiation, purses need settling, and organizers must assemble a complete event around the roster. How costs are divided under Top Rank’s agreement with DAZN has not been made public.

Working alongside Golden Boy or Matchroom gives Top Rank flexible alternatives. Both outfits work extensively with DAZN, reducing the traditional network barriers that historically complicated cross-promotional deals.

Top Rank still has plenty of incentive to stage its own events when a leading fighter can anchor a marquee card. The proposed welterweight title bout between Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis would have provided another major date before Davis declined the WBO process.

Whatever the reason for Top Rank’s limited number of DAZN dates so far, its fighters are finding work without waiting for the promoter to build an entire show around them.