Boxxer's new groundbreaking broadcast deal with BBC is being hailed as a historic moment for the sport and one that breathes new life into British boxing at a pivotal juncture where the country are trying to naturally bridge the generational gap searching for new pay-per-view stars of the future, according to the promotion's chief and founder Ben Shalom.
During a rare interview with talkSPORT this weekend, the UK's youngest promoter spoke with renewed excitement about what the future holds for his stable and British boxing as a whole after agreeing a multi-fight deal to screen their shows on free-to-air television.
"We dreamed of doing this — have to thank the BBC as it's a monumental move, to put world-class boxing on primetime television. This is how it grows and builds household names, the younger audiences are all engaging but how do we get it in-front of the biggest possible audience?
"Everything all week on BBCiPlayer, then two to two-and-a-half hours' leading into Match of the Day on a multi-fight, multi-year deal. It's amazing for us at Boxxer, the fighters, but I genuinely believe it's a historic moment for the sport. We're always competing for eyeballs and this puts us on the front page."
As reported by
The Ring's Dec Taylor on Friday morning, Boxxer had announced their new broadcast deal after being locked into an exclusive £36million contract with Sky Sports.
This news update sees them bring professional boxing back to traditional BBC programming for the first time in two decades, prompting renewed optimism about the sport's audience reach at a time where other sports are receiving similar shine across British shores.
As recently as March’s historic all-female card, topped by
Lauren Price’s dominant decision win over Natasha Jonas, the 30-year-old promoter revealed the two sides were closing to agreeing terms on an undisclosed extension to their four-year deal.
Instead, as it turned out, Sky have ventured elsewhere after letting the deal expire after their Barnsley bill topped by
Callum Simpson’s dramatic comeback win over Ivan Zucco.
Simpson similarly spoke with optimism that his ever-increasing stock would be exposed to new audiences on the BBC in conversation with talkSPORT on Saturday night.
His promoter cited success in other sports - namely the Lionesses' international triumphs and the England cricket team - as sporting moments which have brought the nation together on free-to-air television. Having boxing finally among them is considered a win.
"Sometimes because boxing is so far removed from the everyday man in the street - on big streaming platforms or too expensive - to show fighters having their defining moments in the sport in-front of record-breaking audiences, that's what the sport is about."
As he teased a 'spectacular' first event, Boxxer plan to schedule at least two shows before Christmas with unconfirmed reports of a September 27 date featuring Frazer Clarke-Jeamie TKV for their first offering -- before an agreement for two more shows in early 2026.
"Participation has gone through the roof, government getting involved, what it does for kids on the street. I think the BBC have recognised that and it's the right time to bring it back.
He reiterated they'll be travelling across the country and still staging events in different big arenas - from the Co-Op Live and Manchester Arena to The O2 and Birmingham's Utilita Arena as has been the case in recent years.