In March, Lauren Price triumphed over Natasha Jonas at the Royal Albert Hall, claiming the WBC and IBF welterweight titles, and expressed her desire for two more fights in 2025. This match, which topped an all-female event at the iconic London venue, marked a significant achievement for both promoter Ben Shalom and his roster, which includes notable fighters like Chris Eubank Jr., Chris Billum-Smith, Adam Azim, Caroline Dubois, and Francesca Hennessy. However, 2025 has been challenging for Boxxer and its fighters, with Price not having fought since March.
This Saturday marks the formal start of the collaboration between Boxxer and the BBC, featuring the British heavyweight title bout between Fraser Clarke and Jamie “TKV” Tchikeba. The new partnership raises questions about the role of broadcast deals and their impact on the visibility of the country’s boxing stars.
Sky Sports made headlines in June by deciding not to renew its contract with Boxxer, a significant setback as broadcasters like Sky are crucial for funding and providing exposure to fighters. This created uncertainty about when fighters would next appear in the ring, as competitors of Shalom’s stable filled the gap. Shalom noted the difficulties during this period, emphasizing the competitive but distant relationships within the boxing promotion world.
The new deal with the BBC, a free-to-air broadcaster with a rich history of airing iconic fights, marks a fresh chapter for Boxxer. The BBC plans to start a monthly boxing show, with Adam Azim slated to headline the first event of 2026 in London. Price aims to fight in Cardiff in February ahead of a potential undisputed championship bout with Michaela Mayer. Shalom described the arrangement as a multi-year partnership, with hints at additional pay-TV deals to follow, allowing fighters opportunities to appear on other platforms as well.
Having boxing on free-to-air TV is significant for the sport as it broadens the audience and helps fighters build public followings, which is essential for the sport’s growth. With rival promotional companies having exclusive DAZN deals, Boxxer’s presence on the BBC could offer a competitive edge and wider exposure. Shalom highlighted their focus on grassroots development and expanding the sport’s reach as key reasons for embracing the BBC partnership when the timing felt right.
Fan Take: This move to free-to-air BBC broadcast is a huge win for boxing fans, as it makes top-level matches more accessible and helps new talents rise to prominence. It could signal a new era of growth and competition in British boxing, bringing fresh energy and wider audiences to the sport.
