Eubank v Benn Rematch Is A Go As Boxing Returns To Free To Air UK TV

It feels like Boxing is consistently full of big news, but due to a lull in the schedule recently, there hasn’t been much happening in the world of boxing. However, two significant pieces of news have occurred with the Eubank vs Benn rematch confirmed and the news of boxing returning to free-to-air on UK TV.

Eubank vs Benn Rematch and Boxing Return to Free-to-Air TV in the UK

Two Major Announcements Provide Vital Boost for British Boxing

It was the news that plenty of boxing fans had been hoping to hear, and it finally arrived this week as the much-anticipated rematch between strong British rivals Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn was confirmed for November 15 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Back in April, as boxing fans will know, Eubank Jr bested Benn in a unanimous decision win in their thrilling middleweight contest at the same venue. One of the obvious reasons that it was such a draw for fans was that even though there was actually no belt or title on the line, the bitter foes were facing off for the first time 35 years after their fathers, Chris Eubank Sr and Nigel Benn, first met each other in the ring and launched their own rivalry.

The generational contest was always going to garner headlines, and you did not need to be a staunch boxing fan to be aware of and take an interest, given the history that was at play. Eubank was named the winner 116 – 112 on all three of the judges’ scorecards, and from the second the final bell was rung, fans and promoters were all touting a rematch.

For fight fans who use gaming sites like online casino ethereum Betpanda for their entertainment, they will undoubtedly make a small pivot to traditional sportsbooks for this one as they stake odds on their personal favourite.

Originally, it was supposed to take place on September 20 – but that date fell through amid concerns that Eubank would not be ready to fight at that point in the calendar, but having thrashed out the details and allayed any fitness concerns, new organisers Ring Magazine (owned by Turki Alalshikh) have now named November 15 as the date. Benn’s promoter and chair of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, also confirmed the date on his social media channels. Eubank’s camp are yet to comment.

It was the headline news in a good week for British boxing, though, as the BBC also confirmed that a deal has been struck with Boxxer, which will now see world-class professional boxing return to free-to-air prime-time television, the iPlayer online service and the BBC Sport website.

Boxxer is already home to many well-known names in the world of boxing and counts amongst their talent current Olympic and world champion Lauren Price. Whilst plans continue for the new schedule, it is expected that the first event will take place before the end of the year, with dates and fight cards announced in the coming weeks.

Ben Shalom and BBC Deal

As fans will know, in recent years promoter Ben Shalom’s Boxxer have promoted Amir Khan v Kell Brook, Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr, Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall and Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke, and last March staged an all-women’s card headlined by Price vs Natasha Jonas.

Often finding itself behind sporting broadcasting paywalls in more recent years, it is hoped that the new regular Saturday night slot will reinvigorate the sport and create new historic moments where the best and brightest of British fighters will again be back in front of the biggest possible audiences to give them the exposure that they, and the sport, deserve.

Many will say that it has been a long time coming, and fans will no doubt embrace this opportunity of regular and live ring action to make the programming the success it deserves to be.