October 28, 2024. Queensberry Promotions. Credit: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions
The sport’s most active platform has secured the rights to one of boxing’s deepest stables.
Queensberry Promotions and DAZN have entered into a multi-year media rights agreement, both entities announced on Sunday. Terms were not disclosed, except that the deal would begin next April 1, making DAZN the exclusive home for all Queensberry events.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Queensberry is joining DAZN,” Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren said of the inevitable move. “This is a brilliant move for our fighters and, above all, for the fans. Their ambition and passion for the sport of boxing aligns perfectly with our own. We are now looking forward to having the biggest nights possible together.”
Queensberry’s current deal with TNT Sports will expire in time to make the transition to DAZN. The move will make DAZN the leading destination for British boxing, which has been in business since the streaming service’s 2018 launch with Matchroom Boxing.
The two parties have already worked together in the past year. Queensberry was the first major promoter to align with the Riyadh Season group led by Turki Alalshikh. Most events were broadcast live on DAZN Pay-Per-View either exclusively or in partnership with ESPN+.
Queensberry has been on a signing and re-signing spree this past week, including new paperwork on six fighters. The longtime promotional outfit boasts the deepest roster of heavyweights, including IBF titlist Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 knockouts). Other notable heavyweights such as Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma will now fight exclusively on DAZN.
Dubois, Zhang and Wardley are all in The Ring’s Top 10 heavyweight ratings.
Red-hot middleweight contender Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KOs) is also one of the high-profile Queensberry names coming along for the ride. Sheeraz was one of six fighters who re-signed with Queensberry in late October. Also included were WBA featherweight titlist Nick Ball (21-0-1, 12 KOs) and IBF 130-pound belt holder Anthony Cacace (23-1, 8 KOs).
Sheeraz and Ball are each rated No. 2 by The Ring at middleweight and featherweight, respectively. Cacace is The Ring’s no. 4-rated junior lightweight.
“This is a very proud moment for Queensberry as we join forces with leading platform DAZN,” said George Warren, Frank’s son and Queensberry CEO. leading promotional and events company.
“Now with DAZN in our corner, we can further accelerate our positioning on a global scale. This deal is also fantastic news for boxing fans around the world as we combine our best stable of fighters with what we believe to be the most ambitious streaming platform in sports.”
