BT Sport will renew its rivalry with Sky Sports by showing 20 nights of boxing next year.
The channel has invested heavily in Premier League and Champions League football and also shows action from the UFC.
And it has now agreed a multi-year deal with veteran promoter Frank Warren for its first venture into boxing.
The fights will be broadcast simultaneously on dedicated subscription channel BoxNation.
BT Sport’s managing director Delia Bushell said: “BT’s mission has always been to make top tier sport available to more people, offering unbeatable value.
“Our expanding list of sports rights will now include BoxNation and exclusive access to boxing world title bouts, all included in the price of the BT Sport subscription. We are taking the fight to our rivals in 2017 and we’ll be in great shape.”
Sky Sports currently have an exclusive deal with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
Warren said: “I’m delighted that I have signed a deal to bring boxing to BT Sport. This is the beginning of a new era for the sport in this country and I am delighted to be working exclusively with a broadcast and telecommunications powerhouse in BT.
“Iconic fight nights have the ability capture the imagination of the public, and I am looking forward to building some fantastic events with BT Sport.
“This long-term deal will give BT Sport customers access to BoxNation and my talented stable of fighters and we are delighted to be giving BoxNation, a channel we have worked so hard to build, the vast distribution it deserves.
“I am looking forward to doing what I do best, building boxing stars and promoting memorable events. 30 events a year across both BT Sport and BoxNation will allow me to give my fighters the contests and exposure to become household names.
“This deal is the beginning of a new era not just for me, but for British Boxing and I cannot wait to get started. Roll on 2017!”
[Source:-Mirror]
