Matchroom Boxing signs with DAZN in ‘game changing’ five-year deal

DAZN has signed a five-year UK and Ireland rights deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing that will see 16 fights shown per year on the sports streaming platform from July 2021.

The DAZN deal includes production of the TV coverage with Matchroom’s newly formed content business, Matchroom Media, becoming responsible for live production of the fights, working in close collaboration with DAZN.

DAZN co-chief executive James Rushton said: “Game. Changed. This historic deal builds on the success and momentum of our long-term partnership with Matchroom around the world and solidifies DAZN at the forefront of the global sports streaming era.

“Together, we are committed to building the new home of boxing in the UK and Ireland while continuing to grow the global home of boxing in a way that matches today’s evolving viewing habits and brings fans all over the world more of the most premium live-action, more round-the-clock global storytelling, and more broadcast and content innovations – only on DAZN.”

Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn added: “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.

“Our aim, alongside DAZN, is to create the biggest and best live fight nights and deliver a viewing experience that is truly game-changing.”

“This is also an amazing opportunity Matchroom Media, 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.”

DAZN and Matchroom already have partnerships in the US, Italy and Spain.

The two companies will also invest in original content, building 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.

Documentaries and features are also in the offing.

Bouts will be made available as part of a DAZN subscription, and not on a pay-per-view basis. Matchroom Boxing previously had a long-term agreement with Sky Sports. No financials were revealed.

Matchroom Boxing’s roster of fighters includes Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez, Oleksandr Usyk, Daniel Jacobs, Gennadiy Golovkin and Katie Taylor.