Latest news with #BenShalom
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Cricket fixer ‘won't be involved in any fights shown on BBC'
The BBC obtained formal written assurances from its new boxing promoter that a convicted cricket spot-fixer would have no involvement in any of its fights. Boxxer, the promotional company co-founded by Ben Shalom, announced a 'historic' contract on Friday to air fights on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer. The deal follows Sky's decision not to renew its four-year £36million contract with Boxxer, which expired in June. The move to bring boxing back to free-to-air television is expected to come with a significantly reduced budget. A Sunday Times investigation last year revealed the extent of Boxxer's links to Mazhar Majeed, who was jailed for his role in corrupting a Test match between England and Pakistan at Lord's in 2010. After Boxxer won the Sky contract in 2021, Shalom credited Majeed with a key role in brokering Amir Khan's bout against Kell Brook in 2022, the company's first pay-per-view fight on the channel. The unlicensed agent, who served a second prison sentence for tax fraud in 2015, then claimed responsibility for negotiating Joshua Buatsi's multi-million-pound contract with Boxxer, and he has continued to act as an advisor to Chris Eubank Jr, who fought three times on Sky in fights co-promoted by Boxxer, most recently against Conor Benn in April. The promoter paid more than £300,000 to Star People Limited, a company controlled by Majeed's wife, for consultancy services, including a payment of about £80,000 in cash that was delivered by Boxxer's finance director to an employee of Star People in a bag at a meeting in central London in July 2023. Boxxer said Majeed's involvement in the sport pre-dates the company and that the payments related to his role as an adviser to Khan and were all 'fully receipted and accounted for'. On its website, the BBC highlighted both the Khan v Brook bout and Eubank's fight against Liam Smith as examples of events staged by Boxxer. The broadcaster confirmed to The Sunday Times that it had sought written assurances from Boxxer that Majeed would not be involved in any fights broadcast on its platforms. It is the first time the BBC has substantially invested in a national linear TV deal in the sport since a ten-fight agreement worth £1million with the Olympic super-heavyweight gold medallist Audley Harrison in 2001. 'Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and hopefully for boxing fans,' Alex Kay-Jelski, the director of BBC Sport, said. The first fight of the new deal is mooted to take place on September 27, with 2021 Olympic gold medallist Lauren Price a possible headliner, but has not yet been announced. Speaking to talkSPORT, Shalom said: 'Everything will be shown on BBC iPlayer. Then we'll have the best slot you can possibly ask for: two hours leading into Match of the Day. Multi-fight, multi-year deal. Obviously it's amazing for Boxxer and the fighters, but I genuinely believe for the sport it is a historic moment for boxing. To get the support across the business, this is the entertainment shows, The One Show, all their collateral: BBC Sport, iPlayer, Strictly Come Dancing, BBC News, we're going to create entertainment out of this sport and the next big names.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Boxing to return to free-to-air prime time television for the first time in over 20 years as Boxxer announces deal with BBC following Sky Sports split
The BBC and Boxxer have a announced a deal that will see boxing return to free-to-air prime time television for the first time in over two decades. It was confirmed in June that Sky Sports will not renew boxing promoter Ben Shalom's lucrative deal when it expires at the end of this month. Boxxer, who promote the likes of Chris Eubank Jr, were plucked from relative obscurity in 2021 and handed a £36million, four-year contract in the wake of Sky's split from Eddie Hearn. And they have now moved quickly to strike up a new partnership with the BBC. Promoter Ben Shalom posted on X: 'very proud to be making history with the BBC and a huge day for the sport of boxing. Today, BOXXER announced an exclusive free-to-air partnership with the BBC that puts boxing back on free-to-air terrestrial primetime Saturday night TV, for the first time in 25 years. 'Household names are needed for the sport to thrive. Thanks to every one who made it happen @boxxer.' A press release read: 'BBC Sport and BOXXER today announce a new broadcast deal that will see live, world-class professional boxing return to Saturday night primetime television and BBC iPlayer on a free-to-air basis. 'Selected undercard fights, features and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport social channels. 'The new deal opens boxing up to all audiences, making the sport more accessible than ever. Full details of the first fight, undercard and BBC Sport presenting team will be announced in the coming weeks. Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, said: 'Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and for boxing fans. 'Boxing is a sport that we know deeply resonates with younger audiences and this deal with BOXXER enables us to showcase the next generation of British fighters - delivering top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
BBC agree groundbreaking deal to bring boxing back to free-to-air TV
The boxing promotion recently completed its four-year deal with Sky Sports - but have since put pen-to-paper on a 'groundbreaking' deal with the BBC The BBC have teamed up with Boxxer - which means top-flight professional boxing will return to free-to-air television - in a historic deal. It comes after Ben Shalom's promotion completed its deal with Sky Sports. Boxxer penned a four-year deal with Sky back in 2021 and - following the conclusion of the contract - the pay-per-view broadcaster opted to not extend the partnership. Over the next year, the BBC will air fights from selected events across its channels as well as iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Boxxer is currently home to some of the biggest names in UK boxing, including Olympic and world champion Lauren Price. The promotion was founded back in 2018 by the UK's youngest licensed boxing promoter in Shalom - with a focus on "innovating the sport to attract a new, younger fanbase" and to "showcase the most exciting British boxing talent" with world-class potential. "Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and for boxing fans. Boxing is a sport that we know deeply resonates with younger audiences and this deal with BOXXER enables us to showcase the next generation of British fighters - delivering top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it,' said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport. Selected undercard fights and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport social channels. The BBC have vowed that the deal will 'open boxing up to all audiences, making the sport more accessible than ever." Full details of the first fight, undercard and presenting team is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. That said, the first event is expected to happen by the end of the year. Shalom recently staged an an all-women's card headlined by Price and Natasha Jonas as well as promoting Amir Khan v Kell Brook, Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr, Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall and Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke in recent years. Speaking about the partnership, Shalom said: 'Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment. We're proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.' In 1938, the BBC aired the first televised boxing match in the UK: Eric Boon vs Arthur Danahar. The broadcaster has since shown professional boxing in the decades since, including Joe Frazier vs Muhammad Ali and Lennox Lewis vs Hasim Rahman - which was the first light heavyweight title fight on BBC for over a decade.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
BBC to show sport it hasn't aired in 20 years in ‘historic moment' for broadcasting
It leaves another boradcaster's boxing future in doubt BOX ON BBC to show sport it hasn't aired in 20 years in 'historic moment' for broadcasting BOXING is returning to prime time BBC television for the first time in 20 YEARS. Promotional company Boxxer - who lost their deal with Sky Sports - have struck a deal to showcase professional boxing on the Beeb. Advertisement 1 Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom Credit: Getty Promoter Ben Shalom said: 'Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment. "We're proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. "This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.' Boxxer had a four-year deal with Sky - worth £36million - after Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing became exclusive to streamers DAZN. Advertisement READ MORE IN boxing PAUL FOR IT Usyk whittles shortlist for final opponent down to three… including Jake Paul But Sky have since passed up on the chance to renew its deal with Boxxer, leaving their future in boxing uncertain. Boxxer spent a period of time in talks with different broadcasters - before striking the historic deal with BBC. Over the next 12 months, the BBC will air fights from selected events on BBC Two or Three as well as on iPlayer and their website. Selected undercard fights, features and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC platforms. Advertisement CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The BBC made history in 1938 by televising the UK's first boxing match - when Eric Boon defeated Arthur Danahar. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the BBC aired boxing on special occasions, including Lennox Lewis' 2001 KO of Hasim Rahman. David Haye and Audley Harrison also boxed on the Beeb but the last fight shown on the station was in 2005. Advertisement In 2022, two Welsh title fights were aired but only on BBC Wales and iPlayer. Boxxer is home to stars like Ben Whittaker, Adam Azim and Viddal Riley while they also have a partnership deal with Chris Eubank Jr.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
BBC to show sport it hasn't aired in 20 years in ‘historic moment' for broadcasting
It leaves another boradcaster's boxing future in doubt BOX ON BBC to show sport it hasn't aired in 20 years in 'historic moment' for broadcasting BOXING is returning to prime time BBC television for the first time in 20 YEARS. Promotional company Boxxer - who lost their deal with Sky Sports - have struck a deal to showcase professional boxing on the Beeb. 1 Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom Credit: Getty Promoter Ben Shalom said: 'Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment. "We're proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. "This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and helps us take the sport to huge new audiences.' Boxxer had a four-year deal with Sky - worth £36million - after Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing became exclusive to streamers DAZN. READ MORE IN boxing PAUL FOR IT Usyk whittles shortlist for final opponent down to three… including Jake Paul But Sky have since passed up on the chance to renew its deal with Boxxer, leaving their future in boxing uncertain. Boxxer spent a period of time in talks with different broadcasters - before striking the historic deal with BBC. Over the next 12 months, the BBC will air fights from selected events on BBC Two or Three as well as on iPlayer and their website. Selected undercard fights, features and behind-the-scenes content will also be available across BBC platforms. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The BBC made history in 1938 by televising the UK's first boxing match - when Eric Boon defeated Arthur Danahar. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the BBC aired boxing on special occasions, including Lennox Lewis' 2001 KO of Hasim Rahman. George Groves puts Sun Sport through their paces with intense workout David Haye and Audley Harrison also boxed on the Beeb but the last fight shown on the station was in 2005. In 2022, two Welsh title fights were aired but only on BBC Wales and iPlayer. Boxxer is home to stars like Ben Whittaker, Adam Azim and Viddal Riley while they also have a partnership deal with Chris Eubank Jr.
