DAZN, the subscription sports streaming service, has extended its boxing rights agreement in the US and Mexico with UK-based promotions company Matchroom Sport for another three years.
The extension builds on an eight-year, $1 billion tie-up between DAZN and Matchroom struck in 2018, which paved the way for DAZN to stage boxing events stateside under the joint-venture Matchroom Boxing USA.
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Under the deal, DAZN secured exclusive rights to Matchroom’s US boxing events, as well as the promotor’s UK fight nights ahead of its launch in the US that year.
Since then, the partnership has seen DAZN and Matchroom stage over 50 events in the US and Mexico. The pair’s first US fight was held in October 2018 when Jessie Vargas took on Dulorme in Chicago, while their debut Mexico fight in February 2019 saw Humberto Soto beat Brandon Rios.
Joseph Markowski, DAZN Group’s chief executive in North America, said: “Since we entered the market five years ago, we have made significant strides to become the global home of boxing, consistently delivering the best scheduled in the market.
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“2023 will be no different, with the biggest names fighting on the biggest stages in the coming months. With our best-in-class broadcast, matched with Matchroom’s best-in-class promotion, we are incredibly excited about expanding our partnership in the years to come.”
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By GlobalDataDAZN’s Matchroom coverage under its new agreement includes this weekend’s fight between undisputed super-middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Matchroom’s next fight will see super-middleweight fighter Edgar Berlanga face Jason Quigley in New York next month.
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn said: “DAZN’s schedule is, without doubt, the best in the sport, and our big nights in the States and all-action cards in Mexico are a massive part of that.
“This new deal means more undisputed, unified, and world title blockbusters, more 50-50 wars with the top contenders and more showcasing the best rising talent in the region – and we’re ready to provide further thrilling action and value for the DAZN subscribers.”
In 2021, DAZN sealed a five-year deal with Matchroom to replace pay-television operator Sky as the home of top fights in the UK and Ireland. It then secured British heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua for the remainder of his career.
Last year, it was reported Barry and Eddie Hearn, the father and son duo behind Matchroom Sport, were in talks with private equity firms about the potential sale of a minority stake in the company.
Along with boxing, the promotions company has a major presence in darts and pool.
At the time, news outlet Sky News said the Hearns were in contact with at least three firms, with KKR, CVC Capital Partners, and Searchlight Capital all said to be interested in a potential deal.
