Sky Sports has signed two new boxing rights deals with Top Rank, the US’s most well-established boxing promoters, and BOXXER, which is a newcomer in the market.
While Top Rank has put on fights featuring greats like Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, George Foreman and Marvin Hagler, BOXXER, on the other hand, is founded UK’s youngest licensed promoter Ben Shalom.
After the deal, the pair is expected to bring at least 18 international Fight Nights in a year, which will be around 100 hours of content on Sky Sports.
The deal will also see a broadcast of 50-plus years of archive content.
Commenting on the development, Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht said: “We’re very excited to partner with Top Rank and BOXXER to bring more world class boxing to Sky Sports. Top Rank are one of the biggest boxing promoters in the world, and our customers will now be able to see more of the world’s best boxers on Sky.”
“BOXXER has ambitious and exciting plans for the sport in the UK, and we share a long-term view for boxing. Sky Sports has been a strong and close partner to boxing for more than 30 years and we look forward to continuing our partnership, giving a platform to the best fights at home and abroad and helping to grow the sport at elite and grassroots levels. We look forward to sharing more details with boxing fans in the next couple of months,” he added.
On the other side, Top Rank President Todd duBoef said: “For decades, Sky has been the leading sports brand in the UK. The world’s biggest sporting events and boxing matches have been cultivated under the Sky banner. Top Rank is honoured to partner with Sky to continue to grow the sport both locally and globally for years to come.”
Meanwhile, Shalom expressed: “Sky Sports has been the bedrock of British boxing for many years. We have been waiting for the opportunity to offer a transformative approach to the sport and we are delighted that Sky Sports has bought into this vision. We believe this will take the offering for fans to new heights. Sky will show the best fights from around the world alongside a powerful UK schedule.”