The lucrative contract cemented the relationship between Matchroom and DAZN, which already held exclusive rights to show the promoter’s fights in the rest of the world.
Two-time heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua was exempt from the deal as he already had a contract signed with Sky.
On his podcast The Barry Hearn Show, the 76-year-old dived into the financial thinking behind the move.
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Hearn said: “We’re all influenced by money.
“The only danger as promoters, especially like us, is we tell the truth.
“If someone wants something, and they are prepared to pay…
“We left Sky after 30 years of boxing. Why? We had a great relationship with them.
Speaking on his podcast, he said: “I have to live in the real world.
“It’s why I don’t do pay-per-view shows or Anthony Joshua fights at York Hall, Bethnal Green.
“I think York Hall is the greatest fight atmosphere venue in the world, it’s just not fit for purpose.
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“And the Crucible is not fit for purpose.
“I want to stay in Sheffield, and I’ve told the Sheffield City Council numerous occasions over the last few years. They have three more years. I will move.”
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (capt), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann.
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.
Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Will Greatbanks, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris (capt).
Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Math Iowerth-Scott, Rhys Thomas, Dan Gemine, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Florence, Max Nagy.
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Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Andrew Cole & Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The PFL: Battle of the Giants pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above.
The press conference takes place ahead of Saturday’s fight card, which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view and DAZN.
PFL: Battle of the Giants is built around two inaugural superfight title bouts. Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3) at heavyweight, and Cris Cyborg (27-2) vs. Larissa Pacheco (13-3) at women’s featherweight.
Here’s what you need to know about the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference.
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What time does the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference start?
The PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference starts at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT, which is 2 p.m. local time in Riyadh.
Who’s taking part in the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference?
The four fighters scheduled for the superfight title bouts are slated to participate in the PFL: Battle of the Giant press conference: Ngannou, Ferreira, Cyborg and Pacheco.
Max Muncy and Walker Buehler broke down the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dominant 8-0 victory over the New York Mets. They also talked about their standout performances in the Game 3 win.
But a groundbreaking operation, which required his breastbone to be split open, saved his career and enabled him to represent England again and win the Premiership with Saracens in 2023.
However, despite his remarkably quick return, he says it took time psychologically to recover from the procedure.
“[At the time] you just treat it as if it is an injury and you don’t realise how big it is,” Isiekwe said.
“It was kind of like [starting again]. I didn’t expect to have to start again but I have had to roll with it and I feel like I’ve got to the point now I wanted to get to.
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“It was difficult but I think there is something beautiful in the struggle.
“I had it in the back of my mind for quite a long time. But now I feel completely normal – and I don’t have any reservations.”
Isiekwe was a late call-up to the England squad for the summer tour of New Zealand following Charlie Ewels’ suspension, although he did not make an appearance – with George Martin and Maro Itoje starting the two Tests against the All Blacks.
“In the summer I had a few things I needed to work on, from a physical point of view,” he added.
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“But I used the summer to really get right and really push it. I feel great.”
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