Boxing is returning to the BBC after details of a ‘historic’ new partnership were revealed early today (Friday August 8).
The massive news sees promoter Ben Shalom and his Boxxer stable inking a deal with the UK’s biggest broadcaster to show fights free to air for the first time in what feels like for ever.
Shalom moved swiftly to find a new dance partner after the end of his four-year partnership with Sky Sports, and he could not have found a bigger one. His major domestic rivals – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and Frank Warren’s Queensberry – both have exclusive broadcast partnerships with global streaming platform DAZN.
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The statement to confirm the Boxxer/BBC pact said fights will be aired “on Saturday night primetime television and BBC iPlayer on a free-to-air basis.”
BBC deal ‘an historic moment’
Shalom revealed: “Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is an historic moment. 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.”
BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski said: “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.
“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 moment to all audiences, wherever and however they want it.”
Shalom and Boxxer have some exciting young fighters on their books, and fighting on the BBC could be the perfect vehicle to build their reputations and cut through into mainstream media.
Light-heavyweight phenom Ben Whittaker, super-lightweight Adam Azim and lightweight Caroline Dubois are just some of the names that we will likely see fighting free to air in the coming months.
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