Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing have signed a five-year global deal with DAZN, thus moving his UK stable to the streaming service.
Matchroom end their long-standing partnership with Sky Sports after months of speculation as to where their future would lie in the UK once their current deal, which was extended in 2015 after an initial deal was struck in 2012, expires this summer.
At least 16 Matchroom UK fights annually will be available exclusively to DAZN subscribers in the UK and Ireland, starting from July 31 with three back-to-back shows which will see the return of the second addition of Fight Camp from the gardens of the Essex-based headquarters.
The price-point of £1.99 in the UK and €1.99 in Ireland will remain the same, with Matchroom looking to expand in further territories, whilst continuing in existing markets in USA, Italy and Spain.
The partnership will build on existing DAZN content franchises such as ‘The DAZN Boxing Show,’ ’40 Days,’ and ‘Making Of’ alongside nonstop highlights, clips, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and classics.
Along the way, DAZN and Matchroom will together develop compelling new documentaries, features, and shows to bring fans closer to the sport and fighters from all around the world – both in and out of the ring.
Hearn and DAZN initial partnership
Hearn signed an initial deal with DAZN in 2018 to stage 16 shows per year in the USA, whilst 16 of his UK shows would be shown on DAZN, but not in the UK.
DAZN announced their global launch in October, streaming in the UK for £1.99 a month, launching officially on December 1, showing Gennady Golovkin’s IBF Middleweight title defence against Kamil Szeremeta, Canelo’s Alvarez victory over Callum Smith and Ryan Garcia’s knockout of Luke Campbell in January.
The streaming service also aired Canelo Alvarez’s mandatory defence against Avni Yildirim on February, as well as Demetrius Andrade’s WBO Middleweight title defence against Liam Williams in April.
DAZN broadcast their biggest show of the year to date with Alvarez’s Super Middleweight unification with Billy Joe Saunders in May.
Joshua not part of DAZN deal
News of a UK deal with DAZN was first reported by The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger in April.
The Athletic reported that unified Heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua and WBC interim Heavyweight champion, Dillian Whyte would not be part of the switch and any deals with DAZN would have to be struck separately.
Hearn confirmed to Seconds Out on Thursday that all Matchroom cards outside of Joshua would take place on DAZN.
Lewis Ritson’s IBF Super Lightweight final eliminator against Jeremias Nicolas Ponce in Newcastle on June 12 will be the final show on Sky Sports.
The Matchroom CEO also revealed the newly-formed Matchroom Media will head the live production across all events.
“We have made the monumental decision to sign a historic 5-year deal with sports streaming giant DAZN,” Hearn said.
“This means that our UK events will now be broadcast live on DAZN along with all Matchroom shows across the world.
“Pushing the boundaries is something we will always continue to do and we needed a partner that shared our vision for boxing, and who was also willing to make the investment to make those dreams a reality.
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“This is also an amazing opportunity for our newly formed production and content business, Matchroom Media, who will now be responsible for live production across our events, working in close collaboration with DAZN and enabling us to form a cradle to grave mindset across inception to completion of our shows so we can deliver the live event experience to the viewer in the narrative and style in which we have built it.
“As we continue Matchroom’s expansion worldwide, this new deal will enable us to further cement DAZN as THE unrivalled global home of boxing. Our aim, alongside DAZN, is to create the biggest and best live fight nights and deliver a viewing experience that is truly game-changing.”
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