Streaming sports service DAZN has made boxer Canelo Alvarez the highest paid athlete in the world. The two sides have agreed to an eleven fight deal worth at least $365 million. The first of those fights will be at Madison Square Garden in December against Rocky Fielding.
John Skipper, executive chairman of DAZN’s parent company, the Perform Group, called the deal a pivotal moment in the company’s history. “By bringing Canelo’s fights to DAZN, we will turn his pay-per-view success into a growth engine for subscribers — a truly transformational moment for our business and the entire industry.”
HBO recently pulled the plug on live boxing. Promoter Bob Arum says he expects Showtime to do the same in 2019. That would make DAZN and it’s $9.99 per month price tag, the most economical alternative to pay-per-view cards that typically cost between $70 and $90.
DAZN is building up a strong combat sports roster. It already has deals to air MMA events sponsored by Bellator and Combate Americas. Alvarez joins Anthony Joshua as DAZN’s boxing headliners.
