Top Rank, SECA and Sands China Ltd., who have been building the growth of boxing in the People’s Republic of China by producing and promoting five world championship events in Macai over the past 13 months, announced their latest joint venture at a press conference Saturday at The Venetian.
The project, a weekly one-hour television program titled “Fist Power – Fight to Win,” is scheduled to debut in July. “Fist Power” will be broadcast throughout China via regional channels in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
“Top Rank is delighted that together with our partners – SECA and Sands China – we are able to take this step to further popularise boxing in the great country of China,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “None of this would have been possible without the role of Ed Tracy, CEO of Sands China Ltd., who sparked this venture, and the encouragement and direction of the Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the legendary Sheldon Adelson.”
“Fist Power” will be comprised of exclusive features from Top Rank’s extensive library of over 25,000 fights it has promoted over its 48-year history. Action fights and highlights of world champions past – Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Tommy “Hit Man” Hearns, Roberto Duran, and Oscar De La Hoya – and present – Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Terence Crawford, Juan Manuel Marquez, Mikey Garcia, Timothy Bradley, Jr., Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., and Floyd Mayweather Jr. – world-class contenders and future stars including, Zou Shiming, Felix Verdejo, Vasyl Lomachenko, Jesse Hart, Esquiva Falcao, Jose Ramirez, Rex Tso and many more stars from around the world. Each episode will also have pre- and post-fight commentary, including a selection narrated by Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, behind-the-scenes lifestyle footage, fighter profiles, and weekly updates on Zou Shiming’s climb to his shot at a world title.
“Through this boxing television programme, we hope to open a door for Chinese fans to the world of pro boxing,” said Sheng Li, Founder and CEO of SECA. “We also hope it will help to inspire more young Chinese boxers to follow Shiming’s footsteps to pursue their own world champion dreams. Live matches will give Chinese boxers a stage to match up against boxers from around the world. We at SECA, along with Top Rank and Sands China, look forward to making boxing one of the most popular sports in China by producing this show and organising these live events.”
“Everybody knows that winning pro boxing world tiles is my dream,” Zou Shiming added. “But I have an even bigger dream – to promote boxing in China. The launch of this boxing television programme in China is a big step towards my dream, and a major milestone in the development of pro boxing in China. I will also be very actively involved in the development of this programme, including giving boxing tips and an insider’s view of the pro boxing scene.”
“Fist Power” will also be presenting two boxing events televised live from mainland China. These live telecasts will feature fighters from China battling against international opposition. The first live event is scheduled to take place in August.
“Sands China’s world-class entertainment events, and our boxing events in particular, have increasingly been reaching ever wider audiences beyond the borders of Macao, through television and online broadcasts,” said Edward Tracy, President and CEO of Sands China Ltd. “We are very pleased to now be part of this new television programme in mainland China with Top Rank and SECA. It allows us to continue contributing to the development and growth of boxing in the region in a new capacity, alongside our existing efforts to do the same with the boxing events being held at The Venetian Macao.”
“Fist Power” will be produced and distributed by Top Rank and SECA, with The Venetian Macao supporting the programme as its presenting sponsor.
