Joshua’s manager announces $ 1 billion deal

Anthony Joshua’s manager, Eddie Hearn has announced the creation of a landmark joint venture with Perform Group that will be worth $1 billion and will be the largest deal so far in Boxing.

Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing will partner with Perform Group, a digital leader in global sports media in a deal that will see Matchroom Boxing USA stage 16 fights a year for an eight year period and will see some of boxing’s biggest stars fight at the best venues across America.

Eddie Hearn in a joint press conference in New York said: “This is a historic moment for Matchroom and the sport of boxing. Since our expansion to the US, we have been looking for a partner that shares our vision and that can give us the volume of dates and rights fees required to build the strongest stable in world boxing and take it to a new level.

“This is a dream scenario for us, we can build a formidable team of fighters and also put our stamp on events from production to talent to in arena experience. Our plan is to make DAZN the home of boxing and with 32 big fight nights already confirmed from the US and UK we are nicely on our way.

“America – we have well and truly arrived, let the fun begin!”

Simon Denyer, CEO of Perform Group, said: “Perform Group has a rich history of long term strategic partnerships with the best rights holders in world. I’m excited about working with Matchroom; we share the same passion and vision for reigniting boxing in the US and it’s time for DAZN to provide an exciting new platform for these great events. It’s a better deal for everyone – especially fight fans.”

Perform Group’s live and on-demand streaming service, DAZN, will be the exclusive US broadcast partner for Matchroom’s 16 fight nights in the US and 16 fights nights in the United Kingdom