The World Boxing Super Series, a new annual elimination tournament featuring some of the sport’s top fighters and a $50m (€47m) prize fund, will launch in September.
The event will be organised by newly-formed Comosa, a Swiss company comprising owners from agencies such a Highlight Event & Entertainment and Team Sauerland, and broadcaster Modern Times Group. The backers include promoters Richard Schaefer and Kalle Sauerland.
The MP & Silva agency has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of the series for three seasons, from 2017-18 to 2019-20. The deal excludes the US and Scandinavia. The rights will be available for international territories on all platforms, including digital and OTT formats.
Schaefer (pictured) told ESPN that he is in "advanced discussions" with US pay-television broadcaster Showtime over a rights deal, although a deal has not been finalised.
The promoters said the plan is to hold half of the 14 cards in the United States, with the other half taking place around the world. The quarter-finals in each tournament will take place in September or October, with the semi-finals in January or February and the finals in May.
The series will feature two eight-man single-elimination tournaments in two weight classes.
An expert panel will invite the world's best boxers, namely the top 15-ranked fighters from boxing’s four major sanctioning bodies – the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
