Boxing: ESPN join PPV market

Television network ESPN has decided to join HBO and Showtime by experimenting with the PPV boxing market.

ESPN will continue to broadcast their normal allocation of Friday night boxing cards next year but will add between two and three Pay Per View events in 2005. The television channel has contracted Main Events Promotions to deliver 10 to 12 standard shows plus the three PPV bigger high profile cards.

The plan is for Main Events to showcase their young upcoming stars with a view to gaining national exposure before being launched on the PPV circuit.