Latest news with #ChrisEubankJr.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sky Sports staying in the fight gives British boxing a chance to keep swinging
Sky Sports' decision not to renew its exclusive deal with BOXXER marks the end of a four-year chapter that promised so much but delivered very little. Yet, British boxing fans should breathe a sigh of relief — not because BOXXER is gone, but because Sky isn't. At a time when boxing is struggling to entice mainstream networks to broadcast the sport, Sky's presence becomes even more vital to the survival of boxing across the pond. Advertisement In the U.S., HBO, FOX, Showtime, and now ESPN have all decided to bow out of the boxing business in recent years, leaving the sport without the consistent backing of a mainstream television outlet. While Amazon Prime Video has an existing deal with Premier Boxing Champions, the events have been infrequent and mostly behind an additional paywall. Boxing has faced a steady decline in mainstream visibility in the U.S. and has thus struggled to stay in the public eye, losing casual fans and slipping from the broader sports conversation. A sport that was once among the biggest in the country is now battling to stay in the top 10. This should serve as a warning sign for British boxing — if broadcasters like Sky pull away completely, the sport risks fading into niche obscurity, losing crucial exposure that builds household names. When Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing decided to end a 25-year partnership with Sky in the U.K. to join forces with streaming service DAZN in 2021, Sky contemplated exiting boxing altogether, but ultimately chose not to. Instead, they handed a four-year exclusive broadcasting deal to the unheralded newbie promoter, Ben Shalom of BOXXER. Advertisement Shalom's tenure on Sky has been a failed experiment of sorts. The broadcast giant was hoping to replicate the success it had with Matchroom over recent years with another promoter and perhaps demonstrate that they were responsible for the triumphs more so than Hearn. But the run of boxing on Sky in the post-Matchroom era has been disappointing. There's been some success with BOXXER-led events on Sky, notably Amir Khan vs. Kell Brook in 2022 and Chris Eubank Jr.'s two high-profile bouts with Liam Smith in 2023, but overall the product has been underwhelming. Matchroom set the bar very high, creating stars and delivering pay-per-view events on a consistent basis with the backing of the powerful British broadcaster. BOXXER has managed neither. But then again, it was always a tall order to expect a promoter who had only done small-hall events until it arrived at Sky to suddenly fill Matchroom's shoes. After Matchroom's departure and BOXXER's uninspiring run on the platform, Sky wouldn't be blamed for giving up on the sport — yet it hasn't. Advertisement That the pugilistic art still appeals to boardroom executives is, in and of itself, a quiet victory for the sport. Chris Eubank Jr.'s two-fight series with Liam Smith was a rare highlight of the Sky Sports/BOXXER era. (Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) (Peter Byrne - PA Images via Getty Images) The importance of Sky's presence in boxing shouldn't be understated. Without Sky, the vast majority of boxing shows would reach a live audience of far less than 100,000 people in the U.K. — although some of the shows on Sky hover around that number anyway. Boxing needs to remain visible on big platforms to continue the success it has enjoyed in recent years in the U.K. Sky's boxing strategy moving forward is expected to see them become more selective about the fights they showcase. The broadcaster is understood to want a greater input into the shows and talent on offer, with a desire to continue to broadcast some of the fighters that it has helped build up. Advertisement The network will essentially become an open shop for promoters to pitch cards to. However, with the U.K.'s two biggest promoters, Matchroom and Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, locked into exclusive promotional agreements with DAZN, the options will be limited for the time being. The Sauerlands' Wasserman Boxing houses a stable of fighters that includes Josh Kelly, Michael Conlan, Harlem Eubank and Lyndon Arthur, among others. They have struggled to put on well-rounded shows with the limited budget of Channel 5, but with the backing of Sky Sports, Wasserman could become a significant force in British boxing. Izzy Asif's GBM Sports has managed to promote the likes of Hughie Fury, Terri Harper, Maxi Hughes and rising Sheffield middleweight Shakiel Thompson since signing a short-term deal with DAZN in 2024. They are a promoter on the rise who have delivered enjoyable events on a shoestring budget and would also be a beneficiary of Sky opening its doors. Although neither has the firepower of Matchroom or Queensberry, both could fill gaps in Sky's schedule and offer some variety in the talent they showcase. In the absence of an exclusive partner, Sky would be wise to incentivize a range of promoters to build strong shows and earn the opportunity to benefit from Sky's marketing power and substantial budget. That kind of competition within their boxing output is precisely what Sky — and the sport of British boxing — needs moving forward.
Business Wire
01-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Joe Hand Promotions Sets New Standard in Live Sports Commercial Distribution with Unprecedented Spring Run
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Joe Hand Promotions (JHP), the nation's premier and largest distributor of premium live sports content to commercial establishments, is once again demonstrating its unmatched leadership across sports and entertainment with a historic run of four premium events across three consecutive weekends, spanning April 26 – May 10, 2025. Kicking off with DAZN Boxing's thrilling event in London last Saturday, where Conor Benn delivered a spectacular victory over Chris Eubank Jr., Joe Hand Promotions is in the midst of an unparalleled stretch, delivering some of this year's major combat sports events over just 15 days — a testament to JHP's operational excellence and deep relationships with the world's leading sports organizations as well as all manner of bars and restaurants from coast to coast. Looking ahead, JHP will activate establishments across the U.S. for one of boxing's most significant weekends of the year: Friday, May 2: The Ring Magazine Times Square Event, featuring the three biggest Welterweight / Junior Welterweight bouts of the year: Ryan Garica vs. Rollie Romero, Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez and Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza, Jr. Saturday, May 3: Riyadh Season Event, headlined by boxing's top star, Canelo Alvarez, battling Germany's William Scull. The run culminates with UFC 315 on Saturday, May 10 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, marking another chapter in JHP's long standing partnership with the UFC — a relationship that dates back to UFC 33 in 2001. No other company in the industry matches JHP's volume, reach, or commitment to customer support, which includes comprehensive marketing, sales, and operational assistance to ensure successful exhibitions for bars, restaurants, and other venues nationwide. "Our content partners at DAZN, UFC, ESPN+ For Business and others, rely on us to not only distribute world-class events but also to amplify their marketing reach through commercial establishments," said Joe Hand, III, President of Joe Hand Promotions. "We ensure delivery of a great product to our customers, no matter their technological preference, and provide them with the materials and operational support they need to raise awareness at their establishment. This commercial exposure provides an invaluable benefit to the content providers by creating new opportunities to generate at-home viewership and revenue while delivering excitement to fans in public venues." Fans looking to catch the action out of home can use JHP's proprietary 'bar finder' technology, OnTap Sports, allowing them to locate licensed venues by event and geographic location, making it easier than ever to experience the biggest moments in sports among fellow fans. With four premium live events across three weekends, Joe Hand Promotions is reaffirming its position as the unrivaled leader in premium sports television distribution to commercial establishments — setting the bar higher than ever. About Joe Hand Promotions Joe Hand Promotions brings fan communities from mainstream sports and entertainment into the top corporate and independently owned bars and restaurants, theaters, casinos, and other commercial establishments to provide the best viewing experience outside of the arena. As the commercial content partner for some of the nation's top live-sports media properties, Joe Hand Promotions is the leader in the out-of-home live sports and entertainment media distribution industry. For over 50 years, Joe Hand Promotions has seamlessly connected commercial establishments with live sports, which has successfully driven traffic and increased revenues, time and time again. The Joe Hand Promotions team is more than the distributor, but also the advisor in this fast-growing industry.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chris Eubank Jr. under investigation by the BBBofC for alleged use of the sauna method to cut weight ahead of the Conor Benn bout
Chris Eubank Jr. Image via Getty Images On April 26, 2025, Chris Eubank Jr. defeated Conor Benn via a unanimous decision. However, the fighter himself was admitted to the hospital immediately after the bout owing to his injuries as part of the standard precautionary measures. The bout was a rematch of a cancelled one between the two fighters in 2022, after Benn tested positive for a banned substance. Talking of banned substances and methods, Chris Eubank Jr. is now under investigation by the British Boxing Board of Control , following the video of the boxer's weight-cutting method going viral. Chris Eubank Jr. on the verge of getting fined for using the sauna method on top of the $500,000 fine imposed for missing weight limit In a recent video posted by the boxer himself on X, Chris Eubank Jr. is seen undergoing the sauna method for cutting weight. It is to be noted that the sauna method is one of the banned methods to lose weight in the world of combat sports. The video going viral hence now poses an issue for the fighter. Ahead of his bout against Conor Benn, Chris missed the 160-lbs middleweight limit. This resulted in the fighter handing over a staggering amount of $500,000 to his opponent, even though the bout fell in favor of Chris. Following the initiation of the investigation, the General Secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, Robert Smith has demanded for further information on how the boxer had lost his weight, particularly the methods used by him. A positive result showcasing the involvement of the sauna method would even result in the bout getting cancelled, similar to the Casimero vs. Paul Butler fight in 2022. John Riel Casimero was gearing up to defend his WBO bantamweight title against the then-interim champion, Paul Butler. However, an investigation that proved the use of the sauna method by the fighter led to the bout getting cancelled, along with Casimero being stripped of the title and Paul Butler being elevated to the status of proper world champion from being the interim champion. Also read: 'Make something happen' – MMA Fans call out UFC boss Dana White for not announcing the UFC 317 headliner bout Despite the win, it seems like Chris Eubank Jr. might have to pay yet another fine on top of the one incurred upon him due to missing out on the 160 lbs weight limit. While the investigation is still underway, nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
Japan Times
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Chris Eubank Jr. beats Conor Benn on points in thrilling middleweight bout
Chris Eubank Jr. was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after beating fellow Briton Conor Benn on a unanimous points decision in their thrilling middleweight grudge match on Saturday. All three judges scored the non-title fight 116-112 after a pulsating 12-round slugfest, with both fighters setting a ferocious pace and going toe-to-toe in front of 65,000 at London's Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Eubank's promoters, Boxxer, said just before midnight that the winner had been taken to the hospital by ambulance "on recommendation of the onsite doctor."
Toronto Star
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Eubank Jr. beats Benn by unanimous decision in latest chapter of family rivalry
LONDON (AP) — In a new chapter of a British boxing family feud, Chris Eubank Jr. earned a unanimous decision over Conor Benn in a middleweight bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday. Eubank (35-3) handed Benn (23-1) his first professional loss in a brawl for bragging rights under the lights more than 30 years after their fathers shared the ring in two memorable slugfests.
