BOXXER and NBC Sports today (October 16) announced a landmark media rights partnership that will, according to a press release, “bring the biggest events and brightest stars in boxing to U.S. audiences”.
The bouts will stream live on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock, with select events airing on NBC, and the partnership between BOXXER and NBC Sports will apparently “create an extension to BOXXER’s and Sky Sports’ existing collaboration”, as well as “provide trans-Atlantic distribution of Sky Sports’ production”. It will also see multiple BOXXER events per year added to NBC Sports’ existing portfolio of sport programming, which includes the Olympic Games, Premier League, Sunday Night Football, Big Ten Football and Basketball, Notre Dame Football, NASCAR, and golf.
Together, the ultimate goal of this BOXXER and NBC Sports linkup is “to bring BOXXER events to the USA”, but first Peacock will stream Saturday’s (October 21) light-heavyweight fight between Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez in London.
BOXXER Founder and CEO Ben Shalom said: “We’re delighted to announce this landmark partnership with NBC Sports, in what is a major moment for the company, allowing audiences across the USA to watch our stars in action throughout the year. NBC Sports reaches millions of fans every day, providing an incredible platform Stateside for BOXXER and our elite roster. We look forward to kickstarting the partnership with a huge show on 21st October, as Joshua Buatsi and Dan Azeez put it all on the line at The O2 in London.”
“We’re excited to bring boxing back to NBC Sports and, with the sport’s debut on Peacock, begin a new chapter in NBC Sports’ storied boxing history,” said Gary Quinn, Vice President, Programming & Owned Properties, NBC Sports.
