Veteran boxing executives unite to build major events, develop fighters, and create a new model for the future of professional boxing
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA — August 25, 2026 — World Boxing Champions Promotions (WBCP) today announced the official launch of its promotional company, led by longtime boxing executives Tony Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Sean Gibbons, President.
With more than six decades of combined experience at the highest levels of professional boxing, Cohen and Gibbons are launching WBCP with a simple but ambitious mission: produce the biggest fights possible, develop extraordinary fighters, treat athletes with respect, and build events that fans will never forget.
The company intends to promote major domestic and international boxing events while developing long-term relationships with fighters, broadcasters, sponsors, investors, venues, entertainment companies, and strategic partners around the world.
A Partnership Built Over 30 Years
For Cohen and Gibbons, WBCP represents more than a new promotional company. It is the next chapter of a professional and personal relationship that spans more than three decades.
“Sean is not only my business partner—he has been one of my closest friends for more than 30 years,” Cohen said. “Throughout our careers, we have worked together on virtually every aspect of the boxing business, both separately and together with Top Rank Boxing. We share the same passion for the sport, the same commitment to the fighters, and the same vision for the future of boxing.”
“Now we have more control over our vision, and that’s important.”
Cohen’s career in boxing has included work as a fighter, trainer, attorney, promoter, and businessman. He is also the godson of legendary Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler, whose influence Cohen credits as an important part of his education in the boxing business. Bruce Trampler name is embedded in the boxing world as the best matchmaker in the world, Mr. Trampler the hall of fame matchmaker ran Top Rank boxing along with Legendary Bob Arum for over 50 years.
During the early 1990s, Cohen promoted world-class fighters and events, including three-time world champion Tony “The Tiger” Lopez. He also helped develop the concept for a boxing event at the Playboy Mansion, bringing the idea to Trampler and ultimately helping create an event that was televised nationally on ESPN in association with Top Rank.
Cohen had also previously promoted Mia St. John in San Diego in an event that quickly became a successful sellout.
For Cohen, those experiences helped establish a philosophy that remains at the center of WBCP: great boxing begins with great relationships, great matchmaking, and a genuine understanding of the fighters who make the sport possible.
Sean Gibbons: “Tony Is Great for Boxing”
As President of WBCP, Gibbons will oversee company operations, fighter relations, strategic partnerships, event development, and the company’s expansion into major international markets.
Gibbons brings decades of experience as a fighter, trainer, manager, and boxing executive.
“Tony is great for boxing,” Gibbons said. “There are great promoters that I am personally very close friends with, but Tony and I have a long personal and professional relationship that has been cultivated over three decades.”
“Tony was a fighter. He has been a promoter, a trainer, a road warrior, and an attorney. We have spent countless hours on the road together with Mr. Trampler. Those stories alone would make the hair on your neck stand up. That’s boxing. We’ve been there and done it together for more than 30 years.”
Gibbons believes Cohen’s unusual combination of legal, promotional, business, and boxing experience gives WBCP a distinctive perspective.
“With Tony, you never know what is coming next,” Gibbons said with a laugh. “He’s extremely smart and business savvy, and he understands the game from the boxer’s point of view, the trainer’s point of view, the promoter’s point of view, the business side, and the legal side.”
“He has a bigger plan than what is out there currently, and that’s why I believe he will be amazing for the game of boxing.” You watch, Tony is extremely ambitious and driven, you have never seen anything like this, you just keep watching him.
Gibbons said WBCP’s philosophy will extend beyond simply putting fighters into the ring.
“Upcoming fighters and current fighters couldn’t get a better mentor to help them grow, watch their money, and build an empire—not just win a few bucks and lose it five months later.”
A Fighter-First Philosophy
Cohen said one of his primary goals with WBCP is to create an environment in which fighters have access to the knowledge, professional relationships, and resources necessary to build sustainable careers.
“Throughout my career, I have learned from some of the greatest minds in boxing promotion,” Cohen said. “Those experiences taught me the importance of treating fighters fairly, building compelling events for fans, and ensuring that athletes are protected and properly compensated.”
“Those principles continue to guide everything we do at WBCP.”
Cohen acknowledged that professional boxing is ultimately a business.
“I am in this business to make money, of course,” Cohen said. “But the day I decide that the way to make money is by taking advantage of a fighter, that’s the day I shut down my company.”
“Fighters come from every kind of background, and many come from very difficult circumstances. They work tirelessly, with complete dedication, because they believe boxing can provide a better future for themselves and their families.”
“I intend to remember that every time we make an offer to a fighter.”
Cohen said WBCP intends to put the combined knowledge and experience of its leadership at the disposal of its athletes.
“Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “Our goal is to give fighters the tools, relationships, knowledge, and guidance they need to have a real opportunity to succeed.”
Respect for the Business—and for Competition
Cohen also addressed the changing landscape of combat sports and the growing influence of figures outside traditional boxing.
Recently, another promoter described UFC President and CEO Dana White as “a cancer to the sport of boxing.”
Cohen said he respectfully disagrees.
“That is his opinion, and I respect his right to express it,” Cohen said. “I am not here to criticize or debate his perspective. I have tremendous respect for him.”
“My own view is different.”
“I believe Dana White is one of the most influential figures ever to enter the combat-sports industry.”
Cohen pointed to the UFC’s transformation into one of the world’s most recognizable sports brands as an accomplishment that deserves recognition.
“His success was not handed to him. Through relentless work, vision, determination, an unwavering belief in his product—and, as with any extraordinary success story, some luck—he helped build the UFC into a global powerhouse.”
“Whether someone agrees with every business decision he has made or not, that kind of achievement deserves respect.”
Cohen believes boxing can learn from successful models without abandoning the traditions that have made the sport unique.
“Boxing has a rich history built by generations of promoters, commissions, sanctioning bodies, trainers, managers, and fighters,” he said. “Those institutions have played an important role in making boxing the global sport it is today.”
“I personally believe the sanctioning bodies are an important part of what makes boxing the global attraction that it is.”
At the same time, Cohen believes the industry has room for innovation.
“The combat-sports world is large enough for different organizations, different business models, and different philosophies to succeed,” he said. “Competition drives innovation, and innovation ultimately benefits the athletes and the fans.”
Collaboration Over Division
WBCP’s leadership said the company intends to work with legitimate promoters, broadcasters, organizations, sponsors, investors, and other stakeholders to grow the sport.
“Boxing deserves collaboration, not division,” Cohen said. “If parties have legitimate business disagreements, meaningful discussions can often produce better outcomes than prolonged litigation.”
“Too often, disagreements between promoters become headlines. Those disputes may generate personal attention, but they do little to grow the sport.”
“Fans want great fights. Fighters want opportunities. Investors want professionalism. The industry is strongest when we remember those priorities.”
Cohen believes the future of boxing should not be defined by competing personalities or public rivalries.
“The future of combat sports should not be about choosing sides,” he said. “It should be about raising the standard for everyone involved.”
“Greed and ego have ended more successful businesses than competition ever has. There is room for everyone to prosper if we focus on integrity, collaboration, and creating value instead of tearing one another down.”
A ZERO-TOLERANCE APPROACH TO FIGHTER PROTECTION
One of WBCP’s most important responsibilities is protecting its fighters—not only inside the ring, but also from the people who may attempt to take advantage of them outside of it.
“Boxing has no shortage of people who will tell a fighter what they want to hear because they see an opportunity for themselves,” Cohen said. “Our job is to make sure those people don’t get close enough to do damage.”
“We intend to have zero tolerance for fraud, exploitation, deception, conflicts of interest, or anyone attempting to take advantage of a fighter’s trust, career, money, or reputation.”
Cohen said WBCP will conduct appropriate due diligence on individuals and businesses seeking to work with its fighters and will encourage athletes to surround themselves with qualified professionals whose interests are aligned with their long-term success.
“I’m not going to sit back and watch a young fighter get taken advantage of while everyone around him knows what’s happening,” Cohen said. “If we see something that concerns us, we’re going to ask questions. We’re going to investigate. And we’re going to protect our fighters.”
The company intends to establish relationships with reputable managers, trainers, attorneys, accountants, financial professionals, sponsors, and business advisors while maintaining appropriate safeguards against conflicts of interest and financial exploitation.
“Our fighters trust us with their careers,” Cohen said. “That trust is something we take extremely seriously.”
“At WBCP, the fighter comes first. If somebody’s intentions aren’t right, they don’t get a seat at our table.”
Building the Next Generation of Boxing
WBCP plans to develop a promotional calendar featuring established stars, emerging talent, championship-level fighters, and major international events.
The company intends to pursue strategic relationships with broadcasters, streaming platforms, sponsors, venues, entertainment companies, investors, and other organizations that share its commitment to growing boxing.
Gibbons said fans should expect major announcements as WBCP begins expanding its operations.
“We will be bringing some of the biggest names and biggest shows to a city near you,” Gibbons said.
Cohen added that the company intends to be selective about the events and partnerships it pursues.
“Our vision is simple,” Cohen said.
“Produce the biggest fights possible, treat fighters with respect, protect our partners, and give fans unforgettable nights of boxing.”
And Then There Was Ari
During a recent conversation, Cohen was asked a simple question:
“Who is your absolute favorite person?”
He immediately answered:
“Ari Emanuel.”
The interviewer followed up:
“Who is Ari Emanuel?”
Cohen smiled.
“Don’t worry about it.”
And with that, the conversation ended.
ABOUT WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONS PROMOTIONS
World Boxing Champions Promotions (WBCP) is a Beverly Hills-based professional boxing promotional company founded by longtime boxing executive, film and TV producer Tony Cohen J.D.
WBCP is focused on promoting major boxing events, developing elite and emerging fighters, creating strategic relationships throughout the global combat-sports and entertainment industries, and building a promotional platform centered on competitive excellence, professionalism, fighter development, and unforgettable fan experiences.
The company’s leadership brings decades of experience spanning boxing promotion, management, matchmaking, training, business, law, and athlete development.
“We are here to build.” — Tony Cohen
MEDIA / SPONSORSHIP / INVESTOR RELATIONS
Diana M.
World Boxing Champions Promotions (WBCP)
Beverly Hills, California
Email: Diana@WBCP.com
