(April 18, 2018) — Top Rank live boxing makes its debut on ESPN+ when former unified 140-pound champion, Amir ‘King’ Khan, returns to the ring against Phil ‘The Italian Sensation’ Lo Greco on Saturday, April 21 in a 12-round welterweight bout at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. Khan-Lo Greco will stream exclusively in the U.S. at 5:30 p.m. ET as part of the international Top Rank on ESPN series. ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International group, in partnership with ESPN.
Undercard action, including undefeated welterweight prospect Conor Benn and super welterweight standout Anthony Fowler in separate bouts, starts at 1:30 p.m. ET.
“I’m delighted to work with ESPN and Top Rank to deliver another big night of British boxing to U.S. fight fans,” said Matchroom Boxing Managing Director Eddie Hearn, promoter of Khan. “It’s a must-win night for Amir as he launches an attack on the welterweight division in 2018. The pressure is on and the rewards are high as Amir bids to become a two-weight world ruler.”
“I am going to make a big statement on April 21,” Khan said. “I’m not going to make any mistakes. No fight is easy and I’m very focused on beating Phil and beating him well.”
Khan (31-4, 19 KOs), from Bolton, England, is fighting for the first time in his home country since 2013, a long-awaited return for the native son who captured a silver medal (132 pounds) at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. He won the first 18 bouts of his career before a shocking first-round KO loss to Breidis Prescott on Sept. 6, 2008. Three fights later, Khan won the World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Andriy Kotelnik. In 2011, he unified titles with a fifth-round knockout over International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Zab Judah.
Following a two-bout losing skid, Khan won five bouts in a row to earn a shot at World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on May 7, 2016 in Las Vegas. Facing a significant size disadvantage, Khan fought at even terms with Alvarez until a right hand knocked him out at 2:37 of the sixth round. Khan’s ring return comes with a new trainer, Joe Goossen, who has worked with a plethora of world champions, including Joel Casamayor, Michael Nunn, Gabriel Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, and Diego Corrales.
Lo Greco (28-3, 15 KOs), from Toronto, turned pro in 2006 and won the first 25 bouts of his career. He has gone 3-3 in his last six fights, although two of those losses have come against opponents — Shawn Porter and Errol Spence Jr. — who went on to win the IBF welterweight title. In his last bout, on June 30, 2017 in Niagara Falls, Canada, Lo Greco overcame a tough challenge from Jesus Gurrola to win an eight-round majority decision.
To watch Khan-Lo Greco, and other Top Rank on ESPN content, download the ESPN App or visit ESPNPlus.com. Fans can stream ESPN+ content on the ESPN App on mobile and TV-connected devices and on ESPN.com.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the first-ever multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International group, in partnership with ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. This includes hundreds of MLB, NHL and MLS games, Grand Slam tennis, Top Rank boxing, PGA Tour golf, college sports, international rugby, cricket, the full library of ESPN Films (including 30 for 30) and more. Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.
ESPN+ is an integrated part of a completely redesigned ESPN App. Already the leading sports app, the new ESPN App is the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans and a showcase of the company’s culture of innovation. With a richer, increasingly more personalized experience, the new ESPN App curates all of ESPN’s incredible content into an experience unique to each fan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also available through ESPN.com.
About Disney Direct-to-Consumer and International
Comprised of Disney’s international media businesses and the Company’s various streaming services, the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment aligns technology, content and distribution platforms to expand the Company’s global footprint and deliver world-class, personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world. The recently announced segment is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the ESPN+ sports streaming service, programmed in partnership with ESPN; the upcoming Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service; and the Company’s ownership stake in Hulu. As part of the Direct-to-Consumer and International segment, BAMTECH Media, developer of the ESPN+ and Disney-branded streaming platforms, oversees all consumer-facing digital technology and products across the Company.
