Top Rank
Six decades ago, a legendary boxing empire officially began. On March 29, 1966, Bob Arum promoted his very first fight. This momentous event sparked an incredible sixty-year journey that permanently shaped global sports history as Top Rank.
Promoting Muhammad Ali In Toronto
Initially, Arum lacked any real boxing experience. The Harvard Law graduate previously worked as a dedicated federal prosecutor under Robert F. Kennedy. Later, he met Muhammad Ali. Notably, numerous cities refused to host the heavyweight champion due to his Vietnam War stance. Arum boldly stepped up to organize Ali’s title defense against George Chuvalo inside Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens.
Building Top Rank Into A Powerhouse
What followed was an undeniable Hall of Fame career. Arum successfully promoted twenty-seven Ali fights. Furthermore, he became a central figure during the thrilling 1980s Four Kings era. He organized massive, unforgettable bouts for Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, and Roberto Duran. Next, he spearheaded George Foreman’s historic heavyweight comeback. He also expertly guided Manny Pacquiao across multiple championship divisions.
Cultivating Generations Of Boxing Champions
The iconic ninety-four-year-old promoter guided countless legendary fighters from pro debuts to world championships. Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto started under his banner. Today, that rich tradition absolutely continues with rising superstars like Keyshawn Davis, Bruce Carrington, and Xander Zayas.
Bob Arum Reflects On His Journey
“Sixty years is a long time,” Arum noted. “My hardest promotion was my first fight, just getting it done.” He surprisingly never imagined becoming a lifelong boxing promoter. Back then, satellite broadcasts simply did not exist. Clearly, the sporting industry completely transformed. His biggest lesson is continuously staying flexible because things always change.
Celebrating A Milestone Boxing Anniversary
Over six decades, Top Rank has actively promoted over two thousand cards. They organized over seven hundred world title fights globally. Plus, they proudly boast seventy-five Hall of Fame boxers. To properly celebrate, Top Rank will release special archival content and original digital programming throughout the year 2026.
Top Rank by the Numbers
The following is an updated statistical summary compiled by matchmaker and Hall of Famer Bruce Trampler, who has been with the company since 1980.
- 2,203 Boxing cards promoted by Top Rank
- 940 Events promoted by Top Rank on ESPN
- 722 World title fights promoted by Top Rank
- 570 Events promoted by Top Rank in Nevada
- 416 Events promoted by Top Rank in New Jersey
- 223 United States cities where Top Rank has promoted events
- 204 Events promoted by Top Rank in California
- 157 Events promoted by Top Rank in Texas
- 129 Events promoted by Top Rank on HBO
- 98 Events promoted by Top Rank on CBS
- 95 International cities where Top Rank has promoted events
- 95 Events promoted by Top Rank in New York state
- 78 Events promoted by Top Rank in Arizona
- 75 Hall of Fame boxers promoted by Top Rank
- 73 Events promoted by Top Rank on ABC
- 66 Events promoted by Top Rank in Puerto Rico
- 62 Events promoted by Top Rank in New York City
- 43 States where Top Rank has promoted events
- 42 Events promoted by Top Rank in Mexico
- 41 Miguel Cotto fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 41 Events promoted by Top Rank in Pennsylvania
- 39 Kelly Pavlik fights promoted by Top Rank
- 38 Michael Carbajal fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 37 Oscar De La Hoya fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 37 Donald Curry fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 36 Johnny Tapia fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 35 Floyd Mayweather Jr. fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 35 Oscar Valdez fights promoted by Top Rank 35 Events promoted by Top Rank in Florida
- 33 James Toney fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 32 Erik Morales fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 31 Micky Ward fights promoted by Top Rank 30 Countries where Top Rank has promoted events
- 29 Tommy Morrison fights promoted by Top Rank
- 27 Muhammad Ali fights promoted or co-promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 27 Iran Barkley fights promoted by Top Rank
- 27 Closed-circuit events promoted by Top Rank
- 26 Manny Pacquiao fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 25 Freddie Roach fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 25 Roger Mayweather fights promoted by Top Rank
- 24 Terence Crawford fights promoted by Top Rank
- 24 Events promoted by Top Rank in New Mexico
- 22 Shakur Stevenson fights promoted by Top Rank
- 20 Marvin Hagler fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 19 Juan Manuel Márquez fights promoted by Top Rank
- 19 Xander Zayas fights promoted by Top Rank
- 19 Abdullah Mason fights promoted by Top Rank
- 16 Robert Garcia fights promoted by Top Rank
- 15 Bruce Carrington fights promoted by Top Rank
- 14 George Foreman fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 14 Events promoted by Top Rank in China
- 14 Emiliano Fernando Vargas fights promoted by Top Rank
- 13 Thomas Hearns fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 11 Vasiliy Lomachenko fights promoted by Top Rank
- 11 Keyshawn Davis fights promoted by Top Rank
- 10 Alexis Argüello fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 10 Ray Mancini fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 10 Timothy Bradley fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 10 Naoya Inoue fights promoted by Top Rank
- 8 Roberto Durán fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 8 Tyson Fury fights promoted by Top Rank
- 7 Sugar Ray Leonard fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 7 Julio César Chávez Sr. fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 7 Top Rank staff Hall of Famers: Arum, Teddy Brenner, Irving Rudd, Bruce Trampler, Lee Samuels, Brad Jacobs, and Brad Goodman
- 5 Carlos Monzón fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 5 Emile Griffith fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 4 Mike Tyson fights promoted by Top Rank (Hall of Fame)
- 1 Evel Knievel Snake River Canyon jump promoted by Bob Arum
- 0 Boxing events (so far) promoted by Top Rank in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Kansas, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming (and Washington D.C.)
