BOXXER Announces New Broadcast Deal Following Sky Sports Departure

Boxing promotional outfit BOXXER has announced via press release a new broadcast deal that will see their events on BBC Sport.

The announcement, made Friday, comes just months after their partnership with Sky Sports came to an end. BOXXERhad a four-year deal with the broadcaster that ended in June this year. The new partnership with BBC Sport will see events air on a free-to-air basis.

According to the press release, “selected [sic] undercard fights, features and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport social channels.” There was no mention of how long the deal would last. Details regarding the first BOXXER fight card on BBC Sport can be expected in the coming weeks.

BOXXER Announces New Broadcast Deal

Reactions

The press release also included statements from BOXXER CEO Ben Shalom and BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski.

“Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and for boxing fans,” said Kay-Jelski. “Boxing is a sport that we know deeply resonates with younger audiences and this deal with BOXXER enables us to showcase the next generation of British fighters – delivering top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it.”

“Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment,” said Shalom.“We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.”

Going Forward

BOXXER promote a number of British fighters. Among them is unified welterweight champion Lauren Price, WBC lightweight champion Caroline Dubois, and light heavyweight Ben Whittaker. The BBC have previously broadcast a Price fight. Her bout against Jessica McCaskill, which saw the Olympic gold medalist become the WBA welterweight world champion, aired on BBC Wales. For the rest of her stablemates, however, fighting on the BBC will be a new experience. What will come of it remains to be seen.