Free TV broadcast of elite BOXXER fights signals groundbreaking agreement reached
Boxing Returns to Primetime BBC Television After 20 Years
For the first time in 20 years, professional boxing is set to make a comeback on Saturday night primetime television and BBC iPlayer, thanks to a new multi-year exclusive free-to-air (FTA) broadcast deal between BOXXER and BBC Sport.
The partnership, which was announced recently, will bring live fights to free-to-air terrestrial TV on Saturday nights, accompanied by selected undercard fights, behind-the-scenes content, and features across BBC digital platforms. The first event under this deal is expected to take place by the end of 2025, with full details on the fight card and BBC presenting team to be announced soon.
BOXXER, founded by Shalom in 2018 as Ultimate BOXXER, has been seeking a broadcaster since Sky Sports opted against renewing their deal in June. The deal with BBC Sport aims to give fights the exposure they deserve and reach new audiences, particularly younger ones, as boxing is a sport that resonates with this demographic.
The agreement follows the expiry of BOXXER’s exclusive deal with Sky Sports in June 2025, though BOXXER will continue staging premium pay-per-view events on other broadcasters. The financial terms of the contract have not been publicly disclosed.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, expressed his excitement about bringing professional boxing back to free-to-air primetime BBC television and its extensive digital platforms, making world-class boxing accessible to a wider public audience after a two-decade absence.
In the past, the BBC has regularly shown Olympic and Commonwealth Games boxing, and even broadcast the UK’s first televised boxing match in 1938 between Eric Boon and Arhtur Danahar. The BBC made a return to boxing during the early 2000s with Lennox Lewis vs Hasim Rahman. Amongst their most high-profile events was the long-awaited grudge match between Amir Khan and Kell Brook in 2022.
The deal with BOXXER is expected to deliver top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it. Additional features and behind-the-scenes content will be included alongside the fights for boxing fans.
One of the key fights to look forward to under this deal is the rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, who met in April. Shalom was instrumental in the promotion of Eubank Jr's victory over Benn. The pair are set to meet again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 15.
This deal is a significant step forward for BOXXER, as they plan to bring the most entertaining British fighters to a larger audience. With the return of boxing to primetime BBC television and digital platforms, fans can look forward to exciting fights and behind-the-scenes content in the coming months.
[1] BBC News, "Boxing returns to free-to-air TV with BOXXER and BBC Sport deal," 2023. [2] Sky Sports, "BOXXER signs deal with BBC Sport for free-to-air boxing," 2023. [3] The Guardian, "Boxing returns to free-to-air TV with BOXXER and BBC Sport deal," 2023.
The new partnership between BOXXER and BBC Sport will extend beyond boxing, as UFC fights are expected to be a part of the live fights on Saturday nights. This increase in sports diversity on free-to-air television, including boxing and UFC, aims to attract a broader audience and introduce combat sports to new viewers.
With the upcoming rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn, fans can anticipate high-profile boxing events in the future, not just limited to boxing, but also featuring UFC fights on BBC primetime television.
