DAZN’s Global Platform and Facing the Fear

Boxing has changed.

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing have signed a five-year broadcast deal with the global streaming platform DAZN.

DAZN will now be the home of Matchroom Boxing’s stable of fighters; Lawrence Okolie, Katie Taylor, Terri Harper, Canelo Alvarez and, potentially, Anthony Joshua (after his deal with Sky Sports finishes after his next fight) are few of the names that will be exclusively boxing on DAZN’s streaming platform.

With DAZN already partnering with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing having promotional outfits in multiple countries excluding the UK and US, there is now a global network of fighters under one promotional platform.

What I will argue throughout this article, is how the creation of this global network of fighters will remove the stigma around a fighter wanting to protect their ‘0’ and will encourage the best to fighters to fight the best.

What I see with Matchroom and DAZN’s global platform is something similar to what Dana White has created with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). While we know there are other Mixed Martial Arts platforms, Bellator and Professional Fighters League being the only significant competitors, the UFC is where the audience is attracted to. This is where the best fights take place, the best fight the best, champions fight champions and there is no stigma around losing.

Due to the UFC’s network of fighters being so vast, there is an endless cycle of opportunity. Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Amanda Nunes, Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping, Cyborg and George St Pierre all have losses on their record, and they are all considered legends of the sport. They knew, despite their loss, the opportunity for them to become a champion again was never too far away.

What are these fighters remembered for, losing their ‘0’ or their victories in the octagon?

Opportunity drove their competition, despite their loss there was always going to be another opportunity to become champion. Another huge fight was always around the corner.

For boxing this now applies for all levels, from British the title to World Level. Reece Bellotti Vs Raymond Ford at this summer’s Fight Camp is a key example. Bellotti is coming off back-to-back losses and, after his loss to Jordan Gill last year, it seemed like he had no further options. Now, he has an opportunity to make a statement against an undefeated prospect from the United States. What could this win lead him to, another title opportunity?

Eddie Hearn has spoken about creating a ‘UFC style’ boxing platform and now, he has just that. Matchroom and DAZN fighters are within and endless network of opportunity, win, lose or draw. It will now be easier to make fights worldwide, Hearn has already explained how, at least, three fighters from the UK will be on fight cards in the United States and vice versa with stateside fighters on UK fight cards. These opportunities will be fundamental for fighters coming off a loss.

There has been talk about ‘the new four kings’ of the Lightweight division, with Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis and Teofimo Lopez being compared to Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran. No doubt, this modern era is incredibly talented but none of them have fought each other as professionals. Champions fighting champions is what creates ‘a four king’ narrative.

Many have argued that protecting the ‘0’ is what differ these two generations. DAZN’s global platform allows for a situation where this is not necessary, and champions will be encouraged to fight champions. I am writing this article conscious of the fact that only Haney and Garcia fight on DAZN; I use the ‘four kings’ example to highlight how a reassurance in opportunity for these fighters will increase the likelihood of them fighting each other.

Whilst losing will hurt for a time, and I am certainly not arguing that fighters should throw a fight because of the guarantee of another pay day, it is the cycle of opportunity that will ensure a fighter, if they lose, they can bounce back. Champions will be encouraged to fight champions; fighters will no longer place a priority on protecting their records and, instead, will fight for legacy.

Opportunity is the key to the success of DAZN’s global platform.

What do we remember ‘the four kings’ for, how many times they lost?

Or how they all fought each other?

References:

Boxing Social on DAZN and Matchroom’s partnership - Matchroom Boxing and DAZN agree five-year global deal - Boxing Social (boxing-social.com)

DAZN’s announcement of the partnership - DAZN agrees landmark worldwide Matchroom Boxing deal | DAZN News Global

Eddie Hearn discussing Matchroom’s partnership with DAZN on IFL TV - (8) BREAKING NEWS! -EDDIE HEARN CONFIRMS DAZN UK DEAL, LEAVING SKY, JOSHUA, USYK, FURY-WILDER, JAKE PAUL - YouTube

Eddie Hearn and Tony Bellew discussing the UFC with Dana White - (8) Eddie Hearn & Tony Bellew: Talk The Talk ep6 with Dana White - YouTube