Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have confirmed a television deal in a major move to shake up the broadcasting landscape of the sport.
The contract is a multi-year deal, with Sky confirmed as the UK and Irish broadcaster for all Zuffa Boxing events.
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At least five shows on UK soil will be part of the agreement, with Sky Sports moving away from a prior deal alongside Boxxer, having split with long-time promoters Matchroom in 2021, with Eddie Hearn’s stable taken to DAZN.
Hearn has been in a feud with Zuffa Boxing chief Dana White, who is the CEO and President of the UFC, and the American has been bullish on his chances of taking over boxing, taking regular shots at his competition.
White said: “The UK has played such a pivotal role throughout the history of boxing. The fans there are some of the most loyal and passionate in the world. When you talk about boxing in that region, Sky Sports has always been the home for legendary boxing fights.
“There’s no bigger or better platform to showcase the best boxing in the UK. This is a massive milestone for Zuffa Boxing.”
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While Sky Sports’ Chief Officer UK & Ireland, Jonathan Licht, added: “Sky Sports has been a long-standing partner to boxing for more than 30 years. Zuffa Boxing has exciting plans for the sport, and we share that same ambition when it comes to putting on the best fights forour customers.
“We look forward to a new era where we’ll use our platform to both build stars and showcase elite boxing talent here in the UK and internationally.”
The first event to be broadcast on Sky Sports will be Zuffa Boxing 05, which sees Andres Cortes fight Eridson Garcia on Sunday, April 5 in Las Vegas. While former world champion Mark Magsayo battles Ireland’s Feargal McCroy on the undercard.
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