Middleweight Rob Brant (24-1, 16 KOs), who pulled an upset with a one-sided decision over Japanese star Ryota Murata to win a secondary world title on Oct. 20 in Las Vegas, fought that mandatory bout on ESPN+ after Brant promoter Greg Cohen made a deal with Murata co-promoter (and ESPN boxing content provider) Top Rank. They could be staying together for the long term. Cohen and Top Rank are nearing completion of a deal for Top Rank to remain involved as Brant’s co-promoter, a source with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN. Murata (14-2, 11 KOs) still has until early December to exercise his contractual right to an immediate rematch if he wants one. Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, armed with money and dates from streaming service DAZN, has also been pursuing Brant to bring hm to that broadcast platform, but the Brant camp is inclined to go with the Top Rank offer, according to the source.