Sports streaming platform DAZN and boxing promoter Matchroom have landed a knockout five-year deal for boxing rights.
Under the terms of the deal, DAZN will be the global home for Matchroom’s stable of fighters. At least 16 Matchroom U.K. fights annually will be available to DAZN subscribers in the U.K. and Ireland from July.
A nonstop schedule of Matchroom U.K. fights will also be available to global DAZN subscribers. These will kick off July 31 with three back-to-back weekends of the “Matchroom Fight Camp” series. Details of domestic, European and World title match-ups will be revealed in due course, as will a a new on-air talent roster.
The deal expands upon the existing DAZN and Matchroom partnerships across the U.S., Italy and Spain, with more events planned in these countries featuring local talent. It also includes an extension that ensures all Matchroom U.K. events will remain available to fight fans on DAZN in the U.S.
The partnership is investing in original content, beginning with build ingon existing DAZN content franchises such as “The DAZN Boxing Show,” “40 Days,” and “Making Of” alongside new documentaries, features, and shows. DAZN and Matchroom will also invest in other key world markets where boxing is popular.
DAZN co-CEO 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 U.K. 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.”
“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,” said Matchroom Boxing chair Eddie Hearn. “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.”
