DAZN have confirmed they will be launching ‘DAZN 1 HD’ on Sky channel 429 ahead of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight return against Jermaine Franklin. Eddie Hearn moved his Matchroom Boxing stable away from Sky Sports in 2021 but now the streaming service has struck a deal that will see their cards shown on TV.
It comes just a matter of days after British light-heavyweight contender Joshua Buatsi – a stablemate of AJ with 258-management – criticised the set-up on DAZN, stating his friends deserved to watch him on TV and not an app after signing with BOXXER.
He said: “I want everyone to be able to sit at home and say ‘Buatsi is boxing today’ and if they’re not going they know what channel to turn to.
“I’m not going to tell you to download an app, type in your email or your bank details. Just type in your TV channel and you can watch me fight.”
Now Buatsi has been left red-faced after DAZN announced their plans to launch their Sky channel, starting on April 1 when AJ returns to action.
A statement read: “Dazn Group, the global sports entertainment platform, today announces the launch of DAZN 1 HD in the UK and Ireland on channel 429 on Sky ahead of the return of British boxing’s biggest name, two-time World Heavyweight Champion of the World Anthony Joshua, on 1 April 2023.
“From 23 March, DAZN 1 HD will show a 24/7 unrivalled schedule of live and catch-up content, including the ultimate UK boxing line up with 50 fights a year featuring international superstars like Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez, Katie Taylor and Ryan Garcia, alongside a daily dose of boxing news on the DAZN Boxing Show.
“The non-stop programming will also include DAZN’s trailblazing tie up with KSI’s Misfits Boxing – the X Series, a new era of crossover boxing featuring the biggest names in entertainment, sport and lifestyle headlining blockbuster fight nights.”
Joshua, who has spent the majority of his career boxing on Sky Sports Box Office, is delighted with DAZN’s new venture.
The two-time world heavyweight champion said: “DAZN is working really hard to take sports broadcasting to new levels and bring fans closer to the action than ever before. It’s a huge element of why I wanted to commit my long-term future to the platform.
“The launch of DAZN 1 HD on channel 429 will make it even easier for fans to access my return to the ring on Saturday 1 April against Jermaine Franklin. Make sure you tune in for a spectacular night of boxing.”
The ploy is likely to help increase viewing figures and subscriptions across the board with Joshua currently battling a dip in public interest.
Ticket prices for his showdown with Franklin at the O2 Arena have recently been slashed to bolster chances of a sell-out.
Joshua has not fought at the O2 since 2016 and frequently sold out the 14,000-capacity arena earlier in his professional career.
Hearn has now acknowledged that fans are not as desperate to see Joshua as they once were following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Matchroom chief told ESBR Boxing: “He’s coming off two defeats, so of course you’re not going to be the same size commercially as you were when you beat Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000.
“But he’s a great fighter, he’s one of the best heavyweights in the world. I feel like he can still be the best heavyweight in the world.
“And it’s difficult times as well, yeah we’ve sold 14,000 tickets at the O2, we’ve got a couple of thousand left – which will all go.
“The fighters get their tickets this week as well, so there’s not going to be many left.
“But he needs to make a statement and he needs to get people excited about Anthony Joshua again.
“We all love him, the country loves him, but do they believe in him as a top heavyweight, April 1 we will see.”
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