Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to women's boxing by announcing the establishment of MVPW, a dedicated promotion designed to showcase the world's top female boxers. This strategic expansion marks a turning point for the organization and signals a broader shift in how combat sports are being positioned in mainstream media.
The Launch of MVPW: A New Era for Women's Boxing
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian have long positioned their organization as the global hub for elite women's boxing talent. The creation of MVPW represents the culmination of their five-year strategy to invest heavily in female athletes and deliver world-class boxing events. The promotion was unveiled during a press conference on Friday, marking an official shift toward an umbrella brand dedicated entirely to women's combat sports.
The decision to establish MVPW independently reflects MVP's recognition that female boxers deserve dedicated infrastructure, promotion, and programming. Rather than treating women's boxing as supplementary content, the new promotion positions female athletes as the primary focus. This approach addresses a long-standing gap in professional boxing, where women have historically received fewer opportunities, less media coverage, and diminished purses compared to their male counterparts.
The founders emphasized their commitment in a joint statement: "We have invested heavily in female athletes, delivered historic and record-breaking events, and proven that these athletes belong on the biggest stages in the sport." This declaration reflects confidence in both the athletes under the MVPW banner and the viability of women's boxing as a standalone entertainment product.
Historic Broadcasting Deal: ESPN as the Official Home
One of the most significant components of the MVPW announcement is the exclusive, multi-year domestic broadcast rights agreement with ESPN. This partnership provides MVPW with unprecedented access to ESPN's expansive platform, which reaches sports fans across television, digital, and streaming services worldwide. The deal grants women's boxing competitors visibility previously reserved for elite male boxers and other major combat sports properties.
ESPN's involvement lends substantial credibility and mainstream legitimacy to MVPW. As the self-described "worldwide leader in sports," ESPN's partnership signifies that women's boxing has reached a level of commercial viability and audience appeal that justifies national sports television commitment. This broadcasting arrangement differs fundamentally from the promotional landscape of previous years, where women's boxing often appeared on secondary platforms or limited pay-per-view events.
The multi-year aspect of the deal indicates ESPN's confidence in the promotion's long-term sustainability and growth potential. Rather than a single-event arrangement, this agreement suggests MVPW will receive consistent, regular programming across ESPN's platforms, enabling the development of compelling storylines and fighter recognition over time.
Madison Square Garden Partnership: Bringing Events to Iconic Venues
In addition to the ESPN broadcasting agreement, MVPW has secured a three-year strategic partnership with MSG Entertainment to host events at Madison Square Garden, one of sports' most storied and prestigious venues. The significance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Madison Square Garden represents American sports history and prestige, and securing events there elevates any promotion's standing substantially.
The venue partnership addresses a critical component of sports marketing: atmosphere and perception. Events held at Madison Square Garden inherently carry greater cachet than those held at unknown or secondary locations. The partnership enables MVPW to present women's boxing championships in an environment typically reserved for major boxing events, NBA games, and other elite sporting competitions. This positioning reinforces the message that women's boxing matches merit the same level of venue investment and audience expectations as any other major sports product.
The three-year commitment suggests a sustained approach to building MVPW's American presence and brand identity through iconic venue associations.
MVPW's Fight Card: What's Coming
The Inaugural London Card (April 5)
MVPW's debut event will take place in London and feature some of the promotion's most compelling matchups. The main event will showcase a unified lightweight title fight between Caroline Dubois and Terri Harper, pitting two accomplished competitors against each other for championship gold. Additionally, the card will feature an undisputed super bantamweight championship bout between Ellie Scotney and Mayelli Flores, offering viewers multiple championship-level contests on the promotion's first offering.
Madison Square Garden Debut (MVPW 2)
The American introduction of MVPW will occur at Madison Square Garden's Infosys Theater, where Alycia Baumgardner faces Bo Mi Re Shin for the unified super featherweight title in the main event. The co-main event features Shadasia Green defending her unified super middleweight titles against Lani Daniels. This card demonstrates MVPW's commitment to delivering multiple championship-level contests on its highest-profile American platform.
Holly Holm's Return (MVPW 3, May 30 - El Paso)
Former UFC champion Holly Holm will anchor MVPW's third event, returning to action against Stephanie Han in a WBA lightweight title rematch. This matchup will take place in El Paso, Texas, and represents a significant draw for the promotion.
The Strategic Vision Behind Women's Boxing Expansion
MVP's decision to establish a dedicated women's boxing promotion reflects broader industry recognition that female athletes represent an untapped market with substantial commercial potential. The organization has specifically targeted "untapped fan demographics that embrace women's sport," suggesting they believe growth exists among audiences previously underserved by combat sports programming.
From a business perspective, the women's boxing market offers several advantages. Female athletes often bring diverse fanbase compositions, including sports enthusiasts who may not traditionally follow male-dominated boxing circuits. Additionally, the relative scarcity of women's boxing programming means MVPW enters a space with less competition than the saturated men's boxing landscape.
MVP's long-term commitment—evidenced by five years of investment before launching the dedicated promotion—suggests confidence in sustainable growth and audience development.
Holly Holm: The Crossover Star Anchoring the Promotion
Holly Holm's involvement with MVPW carries particular significance due to her status as a crossover athlete with genuine mainstream recognition. Her transition from UFC champion to professional boxer made her a notable figure in combat sports beyond traditional boxing circles. Holm's celebrity status and proven drawing power make her an ideal ambassador for MVPW's launch phase.
By positioning Holm in a prominent role—anchoring the third major card with a championship rematch—MVPW signals that the promotion will feature recognizable, accomplished fighters capable of generating audience interest. Her involvement helps bridge boxing and MMA audiences, potentially attracting fighters and fans from one discipline to explore the other.