BOXXER promoter Ben Shalom has ignited a new broadcast partnership with BBC Sport, shifting his stable of British talent over to an entirely free-to-air platform.
It was confirmed at the beginning of June that Sky Sports, whose future in boxing remains unclear, had not renewed its four-year deal with Boxxer.
The broadcast juggernaut had played a key role in facilitating Shalom’s growth in the sport, enabling him to become one of the UK’s top promoters.
But with a stable of hungry fighters just waiting to be unleashed, it has now come to a point where Boxxer, quite simply, needs to deliver a series of events.
Among those that fight under Shalom’s banner are Ben Whittaker, Adam Azim and Callum Simpson, with all of whom no doubt hoping to return to action before the end of this year.
Simpson, as it happens, was the last to headline a Boxxer-promoted show, as his 10th-round stoppage victory over Ivan Zucco arrived not long after Sky Sports’ departure from the promotional outfit became clear.
But now, after several weeks of uncertainty, we should soon discover just how full Boxxer’s schedule is throughout the remainder of 2025.
Not only that but, while occupying a slot on Saturday night television, and indeed BBC iPlayer, Boxxer shows now have the potential to reach out to a far wider audience.
“Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment,” Shalom said in a press release.
“We’re proud to bring the most entertaining British fighters to the biggest possible audience. This huge platform will give our fights the exposure they deserve and help us take the sport to huge new audiences.”
Boxxer has staged two all-women’s boxing cards in recent years, with the likes of Lauren Price, Caroline Dubois and Karriss Artingstall having all been involved.
They, too, will most likely be eager to return to the ring, and defend their respective titles, sooner rather than later.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport, says: “Bringing professional boxing back to primetime BBC television, free-to-air, and to our extensive digital platforms is an exciting moment for us and for boxing fans.
“Boxing is a sport that we know deeply resonates with younger audiences and this deal with BOXXER enables us to showcase the next generation of British fighters – delivering top-tier national boxing moments to all audiences, wherever and however they want it”.
