A storm is brewing over the return of Pay-Per-View in the United States after Premier Boxing Champions confirmed that Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman will headline on Prime Video with an extra charge.
WBC super welterweight champion Fundora, known as ‘The Towering Inferno’, collides with former unified welterweight king Keith’ One Time’ Thurman on October 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
A forthcoming Los Angeles press conference will officially launch the card, which also features a stellar lineup.
WBC featherweight ruler Stephen Fulton Jr. moves up to face WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster in the co-feature. At the same time, Jesus “Mono” Ramos Jr. meets Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBC interim middleweight crown.
Fundora vs Thurman on PPV
On paper, it’s a stacked night of boxing. But the bigger question overshadows the fights themselves: Why is PBC charging fans Pay-Per-View money when Turki Alalshikh has already pledged that his Riyadh Season events will be free to the public?
Alalshikh, who has bankrolled the sport’s biggest recent attractions, declared earlier this year that fight fans should no longer bear the financial burden of extra PPV costs.
That statement instantly placed pressure on other promoters, particularly Al Haymon’s PBC, which has long relied on the PPV model.
By proceeding with Fundora vs. Thurman on a paid basis, Haymon faces backlash from fans questioning why they should pay extra when Saudi Arabia is delivering events featuring top stars without additional fees.
The contrast is striking. While Alalshikh’s shows provide cards without money issues, PBC’s product continues to rely on the traditional U.S. model of charging viewers $74.99 or more, in addition to a subscription.
The Changing PPV Landscape
Critics argue the landscape has changed. Turki Alalshikh is positioning the landscape to expect elite fights as part of their streaming service, not bolted on with a price tag.
For PBC, the gamble is whether the Fundora vs. Thurman fight and the solid undercard can shift enough buys in an increasingly resistant market.
Thurman, inactive over the past few years, remains a marquee name, while Fundora brings a unique 6ft 5in frame and two wins over Tim Tszyu to the 154-pound division.
Is that enough to justify the charge when rival networks are offering elite contests at no extra cost?
It’s a debate that will rage between now and October. What is clear is that PBC is taking a risk by ignoring the new PPV-free standard set by Riyadh Season.
The sport is moving, and unless PBC adjusts, Haymon’s company risks a backlash.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.