ANTHONY JOSHUA has left Sky Sports to sign with rivals DAZN, as SunSport revealed.
We broke the news of how AJ was closing in on a deal with the sports streaming app to jump ship.
Anthony Joshua has left Sky Sports to sign with rivals DAZN Credit: Getty – Contributor And now the mega-money deal has been confirmed ahead of Joshua’s rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
He said: “I am entering a new phase in my career with a new training environment, new coaches and now a new broadcaster.
“Negotiations at this level take time so I am pleased to have it all wrapped up and now I can fully focus on giving the fans and DAZN what they want, knockouts in the glamour division.
“I’ve been working with DAZN and following its progress for a long time.
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AJ ‘BAFFLED’ by his performance against Usyk as Hearn teases tactics change “We have enjoyed a really successful partnership in the US for many years and I know the team and understand the passion and drive of the business.”
Not only will Joshua’s fights be aired on DAZN in the US and UK, he is also taking up a global brand ambassador role.
Further, AJ is set to become a special advisor to and shareholder in DAZN.
Joshua has fought on Sky Box Office since 2015 but in 2018 promoter Eddie Hearn signed a billion dollar deal with DAZN.
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And when they officially broke into the UK market in late 2020, AJ’s broadcast ties with Sky came under threat.
Pressure increased last summer when Hearn packed up his stable to leave sky for DAZN permanently.
But the move did not involve Joshua, 32, who was still tied down contractually to Sky.
His last fight with the TV powerhouse came in September in defeat to Usyk, 35, leading to a bidding war ever since.
And ahead of AJ’s expected August 20 rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia, he has committed his long-term future to DAZN.
Hearn said: “We have been successfully working in partnership with DAZN for many years now and this new announcement with Anthony Joshua emphasises why they continue to set the standard for the future of sports broadcasting.
The tale of the tape ahead of Usyk’s rematch against Joshua “We have a shared vision with DAZN to make it the unrivalled home of boxing for fans across the world.
“Now with Anthony joining the team the stage is set to do even more together and we are looking forward to getting started.”
DAZN had initially built their brand around exiting the pay-per-view market.
But they eventually launched a PPV service in May when Canelo Alvarez, 31, lost to Dmirty Bivol, also 31.
Now, they are expected to introduce PPV in the UK in time for Joshua’s rematch with Usyk.
A site fee to host their rematch is due to cost £100m alone, without factoring in PPV and ticket sales as well as sponsors.
Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are set to rematch on August 20 Credit: Getty Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
