Anthony Joshua, DAZN Announce New Deal
Two-time boxing heavyweight world champion, Anthony Joshua, has signed a new long-term deal with a global sports entertainment company, DAZN.
The deal sees him become a shareholder, advisor, and brand ambassador for the company and will be the first time in his career that he has switched broadcasters, moving away from UK pay-TV organisation, Sky Sports.
Commenting on the announcement, Joshua, said: “I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster.”
“Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division.
“I’ve been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time.
“We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years.
“I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business,” he said.
According to The Independent the British boxer will earn around £100 million (AUD$175 million) from the deal, joining Canelo Álvarez, Ryan Garcia, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, and Katie Taylor who have already been signed by DAZN.
DAZN Group CEO, Shay Segev talked about his company’s vision of boxing aligning with Anthony Joshua and expressed his admiration for the British boxer’s entrepreneurial skills that go beyond boxing.
“AJ is a hugely popular and influential sportsman,” Segev said.
“His alignment with us and his investment in our business speaks volumes.
“This deal is his seal of approval for our vision and our direction as a business [and] we welcome his passion, his drive and most significantly the vast audiences he attracts.
“In addition to being a world-class fighter, Joshua is an entrepreneur and businessman.
“He founded management business 258 MGT in 2016 and represents boxing’s greatest rising stars, including Josh Buatsi, Derek Chisora and Ben Whittaker. His partnership with DAZN is a testament to his belief in the business strategy.”
Joshua is set for a rematch with Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles, which is rumoured to take place in Saudi Arabia in August.
On the deal, 258MGT managing director, Freddie Cunningham, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this landmark agreement with DAZN.
“We were really impressed with the vision DAZN showed us for the future of Anthony’s career.
“It was clear from the discussions that we have a shared goal of bringing the fans the biggest fights possible and a partner committed to investing heavily to make them happen,” he said.
Matchroom Sport chairman, Eddie Hearn, added: “We have been successfully working in partnership with DAZN for many years now and this new announcement with Anthony Joshua emphasises why they continue to set the standard for the future of sports broadcasting.”
“We have a shared vision with DAZN to make it the unrivalled home of boxing for fans across the world [and] now with Anthony joining the team the stage is set to do even more together and we are looking forward to getting started,” he said.
