Anthony Joshua remains out of contract from a UK broadcaster perspective, and the race for his signature is hotting up.
The two-time world heavyweight champion is expected to lock horns with Oleksandr Usyk in an eagerly-awaited rematch in June or July as he bids to become a three-time champion.
The first meeting with Usyk – at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September – was the final fight of his contract with Sky Sports. Joshua has fought on Sky in the UK throughout his professional career.
Sky and DAZN head Joshua suitors
Despite the successful association between the two parties, it is no certainty that AJ will return to the UK’s biggest pay TV broadcaster. His promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed on Wednesday that there have been multiple offers.
Not surprisingly streaming platform DAZN, with whom Hearn’s Matchroom now has an exclusive global partnership, is very much in the running. Joshua is contractually separate from the Hearn/DAZN alliance in the UK.
Eddie told IFL TV: I think we’ll make the fight and see what the model is for the fight. We’ve had offers from Sky, we’ve had offers from DAZN, we’ve had offers from other broadcasters, look AJ’s had a great relationship with Sky
We’ll collectively make a decision – ultimately it will be Anthony’s decision at the end of the day, with advice from Matchroom, 258, everybody to look at the best option for him. He’ll make a decision in due course.”
Hearn under no pressure to deliver AJ to DAZN
Hearn re-iterated that his and Matchroom’s global deal with DAZN does not include Joshua, and the two are completely separate.
“Our deal with DAZN has nothing to do with Anthony Joshua. So we’re under no pressure, no obligation to deliver DAZN Anthony Joshua.
“We will individually assess these opportunities for Anthony Joshua – and we will advise him, only advise him, because he will make the final decision – as to what we feel is the best opportunity for him and make sure contractually it’s in a good place and that we can move forward with the right partner at this time in his career.”
