Sky Sports announce huge multi-year deal with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing
Sky Sports has put pen to paper on a lucrative broadcast deal with Zuffa Boxing in a huge move for the sport.
The contract is a multi-year deal - with Sky Sports set to stage Zuffa Boxing events in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Zuffa Boxing is White's brainchild and has been backed by Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh.
It has been revealed that at least five shows on UK soil form as part of the agreement. Speaking of the announcement, the UFC head honcho 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.” The move marks a major one for the broadcaster. Eddie Hearn's Matchroom initially had a long-term deal with Sky Sports before eventually switching over to DAZN. Sky Sports also recently cut ties with BOXXER, but will now be the home of Zuffa Boxing for the hardcore UK and Ireland fans.
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Sky Sports’ Chief Officer UK & Ireland, Jonathan Licht, said: “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 for our 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.”
Their first event on Sky Sports is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 5 with Zuffa Boxing 05 - which sees Andres Cortes take on Eridson Garcia. Former world champion is also set to feature on the billing when he takes on Feargal McCroy.
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White is eager to make big strides in the sport, while some remain skeptical. Matchroom boss Hearn is not convinced by White's foray into boxing, and the pair have been at each other's throats as of late. That said, the 56-year-old has made his intentions clear and knows exactly what he wants within Zuffa Boxing.
"You'd have one champion in every weight class and you'd be in a situation where people can rattle off who all the champions are in each weight class again," White told Sky Sports.
"I want to introduce lots of young people who have never seen the sport to the sport of boxing. We're in 88 different countries already on television, being on Sky Sports is massive. I'm most excited about introducing people who have never experienced the sport and not just on TV but to live events and turning them into fans."
The promotion has already made big moves, having signed cruiserweight sensation Jai Opetaia - who defeated Brandon Glanton on his Zuffa debut earlier this month. Perhaps the biggest shock came in February, when British star Conor Benn announced his split from Hearn in favour of joining White's outfit. He signed a £10million one-fight deal with White and will make his debut on April 11 as chief support to Tyson Fury's comeback fight.