There is rarely a dull moment in the everchanging world of boxing, where the promotional and broadcasting landscape has perhaps never been more volatile.
A sport once consumed via traditional television channels – such as HBO, Showtime and ESPN in America – is now almost entirely available on streaming platforms.
One thing that has remained consistent over the years, however, is the fierce competition between boxing’s most powerful movers and shakers.
DAZN to build welterweight stable of Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez
Earlier this month, DAZN announced a multi-year deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC), starting with its pay-per-view headliner between Errol Spence Jr and Tim Tszyu on July 25.
While PBC will continue to distribute PPV events between DAZN and Prime Video, its latest broadcast agreement nonetheless represents a significant change of the tide.
This is partly because DAZN – the self-proclaimed ‘Global Home of Boxing’ – now boasts an impressive promotional roster of PBC, Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, Queensberry Promotions and several others.
Perhaps most interesting, though, is the streaming platform’s appetite for exclusive deals with high-profile fighters.
First to put pen to paper was Teofimo Lopez, whose clash with WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero on August 22 will kickstart his multi-fight relationship with DAZN.
Elsewhere at 147lbs, Ryan Garcia has signed a two-fight agreement with the broadcaster, which includes his WBC title defence against Conor Benn on September 12.
After that, the 27-year-old may choose to extend his relationship with DAZN, who has also reportedly struck a multi-fight deal with WBO champion Devin Haney.
These three American welterweights could therefore face one another in 2027, regardless of whatever promoters may or may not be involved.
Zuffa Boxing continues long-term vision with Paramount+ and Sky Sports
While still at the early stage of his Zuffa Boxing venture, Dana White has managed to maintain a steady run of shows in the US and UK.
Delivering at least one event each month – albeit to a lower standard than, say, a Top Rank or Matchroom – Zuffa’s main advantage is its audience on Paramount+ and Sky Sports.
While DAZN’s partnership with TNT Sports has likely made a sizable difference in the US, the streaming service will always struggle to generate superior viewing figures to those on more mainstream platforms.
For White, though, it was surely a kick in the teeth that DAZN, rather than Sky Sports, secured the broadcast rights for Garcia-Benn in the UK and Ireland.
While the event will be streamed on Paramount+ in the US, a co-broadcast deal was certainly not part of White’s masterplan when he entered the boxing business.
The UFC boss is also under pressure to provide meaningful opportunities for his flagship signings, particularly Shakur Stevenson and Jai Opetaia, whose most desirable opponents are seemingly aligned to rival broadcasters and promoters.
Netflix to stream showdown between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua
While DAZN is aiming to broker exclusive deals with certain fighters – similar to what Showtime and HBO achieved with Floyd Mayweather and Gennady Golovkin, respectively – it would seem that Netflix is taking a slightly different approach.
Instead, the streaming juggernaut is only in the market for one-off blockbuster events, such as the undisputed super-middleweight encounter between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford last September.
This affords Netflix the freedom of being selective with its investments, so as to avoid the greater risk that typically comes with multi-fight deals.
But of course, the broadcaster is unlikely to isolate itself from lucrative opportunities, with its next boxing show expected to arrive in the form of a long-awaited domestic dustup between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
