If you thought Jake Paul was only good at annoying neighbours and fighting retired legends, prepare for a shock. The man who made a career out of being a professional nuisance has actually done something quite impressive. His company, Most Valuable Promotions, just signed a massive multi-year deal with ESPN to broadcast women’s boxing. It turns out that while we were all rolling our eyes at his latest YouTube stunt, he was busy building a global platform called MVPW.
The deal runs through 2028 and aims to put female fighters in the spotlight they actually deserve. Jake Paul did not even show up to the press conference. He left the talking to his business partner, Nakisa Bidarian. You might remember Bidarian from his time at the UFC when he helped turn Ronda Rousey into a household name. He clearly has a knack for finding people who can punch very hard for a lot of money.
The Big Dates
The schedule is already looking busy. If you enjoy watching people trade blows while you sit on the sofa with a biscuit, mark your calendars.
- April 5: The first MVPW event streams on the ESPN app. It features a cracking bout between Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper.
- April 17: This is the big one for traditional telly. Alycia Baumgardner takes on Bo Mi Re Shin for the unified super featherweight world championship.
- The Roster: MVP currently lists 38 female boxers on its books, including big hitters like Amanda Serrano and Holly Holm.
Raising the Bar
Give credit where it is due. MVP has already done more for the profile of women’s boxing than many old school promoters. They secured those massive Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor fights that everyone watched on Netflix. They even hosted an all women’s card at Madison Square Garden.
Bidarian admits that when they first suggested putting women as the co main event, the networks were confused. They did not seem to think people wanted to watch women fight. It is a bit like assuming people do not want to see a car chase just because the driver is wearing mascara. MVP proved them wrong by showing that the talent is there, the fans are there, and the money is definitely there.
A New Era
It is a weird world when a Disney owned sports network teams up with a former Disney Channel star to revolutionise combat sports. But hey, it is 2026 and stranger things have happened. This deal ensures that these elite athletes get the airtime and the pay cheques they have earned.
It almost makes you want to forgive Jake Paul for his hair. Almost. At the end of the day, if it means we get world class boxing on our screens without the usual peacocking from the men, we are all winners.
Related topic: Boxing
