On his way out promoter Bob Arum recently lost his ESPN deal for Top Rank, lost all his best fighters including Shakur Stevenson now this.
The latest to send Arum packing is none other than Russian boxing legend Artur Beterbiev who now moves on.
Not many outside of those in boxing picked up on recently that Beterbiev left Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
Beterbiev can sign with TKO and Zuffa soon if he wants, big things ahead.
Here’s some facts at the situation.
Artur Beterbiev Finally Says Good Riddance To Bob Arum
Top Rank’s ESPN deal expired in August 2025, leaving Beterbiev’s fights without stable broadcasting.
Beterbiev’s contract expired in June 2025, freeing him from Top Rank’s matching rights.
Top Rank failed to secure a Bivol trilogy in Russia despite Beterbiev’s efforts for immediate rematch.
Beterbiev’s recent Nicholson fight was canceled due to injury under Top Rank’s Riyadh card.
Zuffa Boxing, TKO’s new promotion, launches major events like Canelo-Crawford on Netflix in 2025.
Zuffa Boxing partners with Saudi GEA for lucrative global superfights and high purses.
TKO’s Zuffa offers UFC-style marketing to boost Beterbiev’s visibility beyond Top Rank’s reach.
Paramount+ deal with Zuffa Boxing starts in 2026, providing premium streaming for Beterbiev’s bouts.
Negotiations with IBA Pro under Zuffa enable Beterbiev’s Bivol trilogy in Russia sooner.
At 40, Beterbiev gains Zuffa’s Saudi funding for 2-3 legacy fights with bigger paydays.
Fighters Keep Leaving Bob Arum Since Floyd Mayweather Did
Alas, good times ahead for the sport of boxing and the elite fighters like Beterbiev.
People will hope to see the Bivol fight again next year.
Someone can promote this in Russia and internationally and the States and other places without Arum now.
On Arum, he did some good events in the past but he’s over 90 now, here’s all the fighters who have, and keep, leaving him, all the time now.
Fighters Who Have Left Bob Arum And Went On To Great Things
Shakur Stevenson: Contract ended July 2024; rejected $15M renewal for free agency.
Terence Crawford: Deal expired late 2022 after 14 years; sought bigger fights.
Vasiliy Lomachenko: Contract concluded 2023; pursued independent matchups.Josesito Lopez: Long-term deal ended 2021; left due to inactivity.
Ray Beltran: Retired from Top Rank 2020; cited promotional exhaustion.
Jesse Rodriguez: Departed early 2023; aimed for superfights.
Isaac Cruz: Contract lapsed 2022; joined PBC for rivalries.
Last but not least, Floyd Mayweather — left Bob Arum and became one of the greatest fighters that ever lived.
We rest our case.
Checkmate.
