DAZN to launch in UK market ahead of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez next fight

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer2 March 2020
DAZN is set to launch in the UK market with the first card set to be headlined by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez

DAZN is set to launch in the UK market with the first card set to be headlined by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez

Sports streaming service DAZN is to launch globally, offering an English language boxing service to 200 countries and territories.

In a sensational move, DAZN has confirmed it will launch in 200 territories ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend, where Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez returns to action.

The streaming service had already launched in nine countries, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. In those countries mentioned, DAZN have specific rights such as Serie A in Italy; Bundesliga in Germany; MLB and J1 League in Japan; MotoGP in Spain; NFL Sunday package and EPL rights in Canada while many of those territories have UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League rights for three seasons, which started this year.

DAZN’s global move will see them focus on boxing, which will include fighters from Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom USA and Gennadiy Golovkin’s GGG Promotions. The company is planning to air a boxing service all-year round in English language.

Their announcement is a sign of things to come with a battle for English Premier League rights on the horizon in the UK next year. Sky Sports and BT Sports will be looking over their shoulder as Amazon and now DAZN knock on the door. DAZN EVP Joe Markowski has said the ‘first step’ is to make DAZN the home for fight sports in the UK.

“Since our launch in 2016, we’ve seen an encouraging level of interest around our key events from both international fans and potential partners, which highlighted the opportunity to capitalize on our existing rights portfolio within boxing to fuel our expansion,” said Markowski, who will oversee the global service.
“Establishing DAZN as the global home of fight sports is just the first step and we couldn’t think of a better attraction for our inaugural event than Canelo’s traditional Cinco de Mayo Weekend fight.

”DAZN Group Executive Chairman John Skipper also made a statement about DAZN’s international move.“Beginning this spring, most of the world will have access to DAZN and its unmatched schedule of boxing events. Our roster of championship fighters represents some of the world’s most popular athletes and we’ll be working with them to stage spectacular international events for years to come.”

So we know Canelo, Golovkin, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney will be on screens in 200 countries and territories worldwide, but will the UK be able to see Anthony Joshua in action? In one word, no. The heavyweight champion is tied with Sky Sports for another 18 months to two years. Canelo will be their DAZN Global’s fight streamed, with WBO world champion Billy Joe Saunders set to be confirmed as his opponent for May 2.

We will soon find out the monthly subscription fee but expect it to be £4.99 in the UK.