Shorts: Anthony Joshua, Whisper, DAZN
The BBC and talkSPORT have both secured the radio broadcast rights for live commentary of Anthony Joshua’s next fight against American heavyweight, Jermaine Franklin, on Saturday 1st April.
On the BBC, Jeanette Kwakye will be present live coverage of the event to listeners as Joshua attempts to secure a win, after recently losing to world champion Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in August of last year.
TalkSPORT’s commentary team includes former boxer Spencer Oliver, Adam Catterall, Gareth A Davies and match commentator Andy Clarke.
Head of talkSPORT, Liam Fisher, commented, “What a fight this promises to be. We had exclusive rights to AJ’s last bout and can’t wait to cover his ring return against Franklin. talkSPORT continues to prove that it’s the home of boxing, giving fans a close up of the action from our expert team of commentators and pundits across our radio and social channels plus our website.”
UK broadcast production agency Whisper has been appointed as the production partner for Channel 5’s free-to-air fight nights.
Working alongside promoters Wasserman Boxing, the coverage begins with world title action for Lyndon Arthur, as he faces Braian Nahuel Suarez for IBO Light Heavyweight Championship on 24th March in Bolton.
Then, on 31st March, Harlem Eubank returns to London’s iconic York Hall as he continues his climb up the Super Lightweight rankings against Mexico’s Christian Uruzquieta.
Both of these events will be broadcast live and exclusive on Channel 5 and represent the only free-to-air boxing available in the UK after a deal was recently secured.
Pete Thomas, Head of Sport, Whisper, commented, “We’re delighted to be producing boxing for Channel 5, bringing live fight action to the terrestrial UK audience.
“Whisper’s focus from day one has been to produce sport as entertainment, a value and commitment shared by Wasserman who bringing new viewers to the sport whilst also respecting its heritage, and we are excited to work with them to make sure our coverage is as engaging and exciting as the boxing itself.”
Last year, Whisper delivered the world feed host broadcast of the heavyweight rematch, Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua II, the Rage on the Red Sea. In February this year, it delivered the host broadcast of the Jake Paul v Tommy Fury box office cruiserweight fight. Whisper also produces Bellator for the BBC.
Sports entertainment organisaiton DAZN Group has launched DAZN 1 HD in the UK and Ireland on channel 429 on Sky.
From 23rd March, DAZN 1 HD will air a schedule of live and catch-up content, including a boxing line-up that includes Anthony Joshua, Canelo Álvarez, Katie Taylor and Ryan Garcia, alongside a daily DAZN Boxing Show.
DAZN will also deliver MMA competition the Professional Fighters League, alongside a full roster of MMA content including MMA Bushido, MMA Naciones, Oktagon MMA, King of Kings, Brave Combat Federation, and Muay Thai For Life.
The channel also holds the rights for the UEFA Women’s Champions League and top-flight Spanish women’s football Primera División Femenina, emerging sports such as Streetleague Skateboarding, eSports, as well as DAZN documentaries including the recent World Cup series – Three Lions, Maradona: The Fall and The Phenomenon.
DAZN Group CEO, Shay Segev said, “Getting DAZN widely distributed is a priority for us as it delivers our great and growing array of content to more and more fans. We have ambitious, long-term and strategic plans for the UK market. The more people get to know DAZN and what we offer, not just in terms of rights but the full range of digital, interactive and sports entertainment we are developing, the better.
“This launch is great news for sports fans. DAZN 1 HD will optimise exposure for the upcoming Anthony Joshua fight, ensuring it is his most hotly anticipated and accessible bout in over a decade.”
Europe’s longest-running MMA promotion, Cage Warriors, has appointed Róisín O’Shea as its new Chief Operating Officer.
O’Shea most recently worked in Sports Partnerships at Twitter.
O’Shea said, “I’ve only ever worked in jobs I absolutely love and it’s because I am passionate about the work I do.
“I truly believe our best work is done when we love what we do, and I’m looking forward to working with the team that delivers such incredible work at Cage Warriors week in, week out!”
Sky Sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling will take on a 34th marathon Football March for Prostate Cancer UK, from Wembley to Wycombe Wanderers, in honour of the late Bill Turnbull.
The long-time football anchor, who sports Prostate Cancer UK’s ‘Man of Men’ badge on Soccer Saturday each week, has helped raise around £1.4m for the men’s health charity on a series of marathon marches since 2016.
On September 17th, Stelling will spearhead a one-day fundraising march from Wembley to Wycombe in tribute to fellow broadcaster Turnbull, who died of prostate cancer in August last year.
Stelling will set off from the home of football en route to Buckinghamshire and the picturesque Adams Park, home of the League One Chairboys.
