Eddie Hearn, Perform Group Reveal Details of '$1 Billion' Venture https://t.co/rdIcKWwjcS pic.twitter.com/a98btqfN5Z
— BoxingScene.com (@boxingscene) May 10, 2018
Thursday saw Matchroom Boxing and Perform Group announce a blockbuster joint venture that will change the landscape of boxing.
When groundbreaking events happen, the world takes notice. Well, the sports world took notice on Thursday as Eddie Hearn, the Managing Director of Matchroom Boxing, and Simon Denyer, CEO of Perform Group, announced a joint venture at a press conference in New York City.
The deal is an eight-year, $1 billion joint venture where Matchroom boxing will put on 16 fights a year across the United States that will showcase some of the biggest stars in boxing. Perform Group’s live and on-demand streaming service, DAZN, will be the exclusive US broadcast partner for the 16 US fight nights plus Matchroom’s existing 16 fight nights in the UK.
The two companies have brokered the industry-first deal so that fans can see the fights how and when they want to, anytime and anywhere.
This is exciting news for boxing fans as they will have the ability to watch fights whenever and wherever they want. Hearn spoke about this historic joint collaboration during the press conference.
“This is a historic moment for Matchroom and the sport of boxing. Since our expansion to the US, we have been looking for a partner that shares our vision and that can give us the volume of dates and rights fees required to build the strongest stable in world boxing and take it to a new level.
This is a dream scenario for us, we can build a formidable team of fighters and also put our stamp on events from production to talent to in-arena experience. Our plan is to make DAZN the home of boxing and with 32 big fight nights already confirmed from the US and UK we are nicely on our way.”
Simon Denyer also spoke at the press conference on this historic joint venture.
“Perform Group has a rich history of long term strategic partnerships with the best rights holders in world. I’m excited about working with Matchroom; we share the same passion and vision for reigniting boxing in the US and it’s time for DAZN to provide an exciting new platform for these great events. It’s a better deal for everyone – especially fight fans.”
Matchroom Boxing already has a stable of great fighters, including undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Daniel Jacobs, Tony Bellew, Kell Brook, Amir Khan, Scott Quigg and Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, who was in attendance at the press conference on Thursday.
Me with heavyweight contender and future champion @BIGBABYMILLER @EliteSportsNY pic.twitter.com/SBVJhrIQQ7
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) May 11, 2018
Now they will look to add to their stable and work with other fight promoters to give boxing fans the fights they want to see.
Of course, the fight everyone wants to see is Joshua against undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. A fight between these two undefeated champions would be a massive event, one with the potential to be one of the highest grossing heavyweight fights in history.
Congratulations to @EddieHearn and his $1 Billion dollar joint venture! Today was a landmark and great day for boxing @EliteSportsNY pic.twitter.com/0j3MyrfAKs
— Jason Leach (@JasonKLeach) May 11, 2018
When I asked Hearn to put a percentage of the fight happening this year he told me “70 percent.”
If this fight happens in the second-half of 2018, it would be a great way to kick off this new joint venture.
