MTG Unveils World Boxing Super Series

STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group (MTG) has teamed up with leading players from the world of boxing to launch the first-of-its-kind annual tournament World Boxing Super Series.

World Boxing Super Series will see 16 of the globe’s best fighters competing in two weight classes on 14 fight nights between September and May at leading venues worldwide for a cash prize of $50 million in the first season. A U.S. broadcast partner will be revealed at a later time.

The tournament will kick off with a Draft Gala event in June 2017 to present all 16 fighters and the full tournament structure and ends with the finals in May. MP & Silva is charged with selling the rights outside of the Nordic region.

World Boxing Super Series is owned by Comosa, in which MTG is a shareholder. Comosa is collaborating with boxers, promoters and managers around the globe, as well as with the four major World Boxing Federations, to create a new global platform for the sport. Comosa also secured the right to use Muhammad Ali’s name on the trophies.

Boxing execs Kalle Sauerland and Richard Schaefer are Comosa’s chief boxing officer and chairman for the Americas, respectively, while former MP & Silva chief commercial officer Roberto Dalmiglio is head of the management board.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, MTG’s president and CEO, commented: “This tournament is what boxing has been missing—a made-for-television year-round spectacle that will enthrall fans all over the world. At MTG, we show 50,000 hours of live sport every year, including many of the top boxing fights from around the world, so we know how big the fan base is and how big the potential of this product is, which is why we have helped create this unique sporting IP. All other major sports have successful annual championships and it is time for boxing to have the same too. Our partners in this venture will ensure that we attract the best fighters at the best venues with the biggest audiences—and all competing for a prize named after the greatest of them all!”

Peter Nørrelund, MTG’s executive VP and CEO of MTG Sport, added: “This idea was born three years ago and we now can’t wait for the first bell to ring. World Boxing Super Series will bring together the best of the best. We are creating a premium sports property with global appeal, and we are doing this with a team that combines MTG’s sports broadcasting skills, Sauerland’s boxing expertise and Highlight [Event & Entertainment]’s marketing knowledge.”