Former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has officially departed from longtime broadcaster Sky Sports. On Monday, the boxer officially announced an exclusive long-term deal with streaming service DAZN.
Some reports are suggesting the deal is worth $100 million a year, with two fights per year on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Last year, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, parted ways with Sky Sports to sign an exclusive content deal with DAZN. But, the deal did not include Joshua.
The partnership will see Joshua’s future fights broadcast on DAZN’s platform to their customers worldwide.
Joshua is scheduled to face IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in a rematch on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
Since turning pro, Joshua’s fights had been exclusively broadcast in the UK by Sky Sports.
As part of the deal with DAZN, Joshua has become a shareholder, special advisor, and brand ambassador for the business. As a special advisor, Joshua will join DAZN’s strategic advisory board as the business develops its global boxing offering.
“I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster. Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division,” Joshua said.
“I’ve been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time. We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years and I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business.
“DAZN’s vision and passion to innovate is what attracted me to the partnership. They are leading the digital landscape in sport and the future of sports broadcasting. I am really looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Shay Segev, CEO, DAZN Group, said: “AJ is a hugely popular and influential sportsman. His alignment with us and his investment in our business speaks volumes. This deal is his seal of approval for our vision and our direction as a business. We welcome his passion, his drive and – most significantly – the vast audiences he attracts.”
“In addition to being a world-class fighter, Joshua is an entrepreneur and businessman. He founded management business 258 MGT in 2016 and represents boxing’s greatest rising stars, including Josh Buatsi, Derek Chisora and Ben Whittaker. His partnership with DAZN is a testament to his belief in the business strategy.
Freddie Cunningham, 258MGT Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this landmark agreement with DAZN. I would like to thank the whole team at DAZN, 258MGT and Matchroom Boxing for helping bring this deal to completion.
“We were really impressed with the vision DAZN showed us for the future of Anthony’s career, it was clear from the discussions that we have a shared goal of bringing the fans the biggest fights possible and a partner committed to investing heavily to make them happen.”
Hean said: “We have been successfully working in partnership with DAZN for many years now and this new announcement with Anthony Joshua emphasises why they continue to set the standard for the future of sports broadcasting. We have a shared vision with DAZN to make it the unrivalled home of boxing for fans across the world. Now with Anthony joining the team the stage is set to do even more together and we are looking forward to getting started.”