Category Sports News

The BBC has signed a broadcast deal with Boxxer which will mean world-class professional boxing returns to prime-time television and BBC iPlayer.

Over the next 12 months, the BBC will air fights from selected events on BBC Two or Three as well as on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Boxxer currently houses some of the biggest talents in UK boxing including Olympic and world champion Lauren Price.

“Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and hopefully for boxing fans,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport.

The first event is expected to happen by the end of the year, with dates and headliners to be announced in the coming weeks.

Boxxer, led by promoter Ben Shalom, staged an all-women’s card headlined by Price and Natasha Jonas in March as well as promoting Amir Khan v Kell Brook, Liam Smith v Chris Eubank Jr, Claressa Shields v Savannah Marshall and Fabio Wardley v Frazer Clarke in recent years.

“Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment,” Shalom said.

“We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience.

World-class professional boxing will return to prime-time television and BBC iPlayer thanks to the BBC’s agreement to broadcast it through Boxxer.

Select events will be shown on BBC TV, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website alongside fights from selected events.

Olympic and world champion boxer Lauren Price is just one of the biggest talents in British boxing at Boxxer right now.

Boxing professionals returning to primetime BBC television, free to air, and our extensive digital platforms is a fantastic time, according to BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski.

By the end of the year, the first event is anticipated to take place, with announcements of dates and headliners expected.

In recent years, Boxxer promoted Amir Khan v. Kell Brook, Liam Smith v. Chris Eubank Jr., Claressa Shields v. Savannah Marshall, and Fabio Wardley v. Frazer Clarke under the direction of promoter Ben Shalom, as well as an all-women’s card headlined by Price and Natasha Jonas in March.

It’s historic to work with the BBC to bring big-time British boxing to Saturday night TV,” Shalom said.

“We’re proud to present the most entertaining British fighters to the largest audience possible.”

World-class professional boxing will return to prime-time television and BBC iPlayer thanks to the BBC’s agreement to broadcast it through Boxxer.

Select events will be shown on BBC TV, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website alongside fights from selected events.

Olympic and world champion boxer Lauren Price is just one of the biggest talents in British boxing at Boxxer right now.

Boxing professionals returning to primetime BBC television, free to air, and our extensive digital platforms is a fantastic time, according to BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski.

By the end of the year, the first event is anticipated to take place, with announcements of dates and headliners expected.

In recent years, Boxxer promoted Amir Khan v. Kell Brook, Liam Smith v. Chris Eubank Jr., Claressa Shields v. Savannah Marshall, and Fabio Wardley v. Frazer Clarke under the direction of promoter Ben Shalom, as well as an all-women’s card headlined by Price and Natasha Jonas in March.

It’s historic to work with the BBC to bring big-time British boxing to Saturday night TV,” Shalom said.

“We’re proud to present the most entertaining British fighters to the largest audience possible.”

At the Cincinnati Open, Zizou Bergs defeated Jacob Fearnley from Great Britain.

Fearnley, a Belgian, was making his professional debut at the tournament, defeating him 6-1, 6-4, comfortably.

The 24-year-old struggled in his first encounter with the 26-year-old despite being ranked 55 in the world, just three places behind Bergs.

Fearnley was unable to convert one of his two break points because he had nine to lose on his serve.

His defeat comes after his most recent Canadian Open first-round defeat.

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley suffered a first-round defeat by Zizou Bergs at the Cincinnati Open.

Fearnley was making his debut at the tournament and was comfortably beaten 6-1 6-4 by the Belgian.

The 24-year-old is ranked 55 in the world – just three places below Bergs – but struggled in his first meeting with the 26-year-old.

Fearnley faced nine break points on his serve, losing four, and could only convert one of the two he earned.

His defeat follows a recent first-round exit at the Canadian Open.

St. Jude Championship – leaderboard for the first round

-8 A Bhatia (US), -7 T Fleetwood (Eng), -6 H Hall, J Rose (Eng), B Cauley (USA), -5 S Kim (Kor)

others were screened.

-4 R. Fowler, C. Morikawa (USA), -3 W. Clark, S. Scheffler (USA), and M. Fitzpatrick (Eng)

Tommy Fleetwood shot four birdies in the final four holes of the FedExCup play-offs’ first round, finishing one shot clear of the lead on day one.

Englishman Fleetwood, 34, was two under at the time but had a fantastic run of form when Akshay Bhatia finished the day at seven-under 63 in Memphis.

Harry Hall and Justin Rose, along with USA’s Bud Cauley, are a further shot back in joint-third place behind Fleetwood’s compatriots.

A top-50 finish qualifying player for the following years’ signature events led American Bhatia to the tournament 45th in the FedExCup standings.

The top 50 will advance to the Maryland BMW Championship on August 14 and 17 after Memphis.

The top 30 players will compete in the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta the following week.

Bhatia continued, “I’m just really trying to have a little more peace on the course.”

Because I don’t really want to live my life based on an unstable game, I think this game can consume your life and your happiness. I’m just trying to change that.

Before he won the Open last month, Bhatia’s remarks were comparable to those made by fellow world number one Scottie Scheffler.

After making a bogey at age 18, Scheffler is five shots clear of the leader.