There was a point during today’s Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley press conference when DAZN’s executive vice president of combat sports and new business Michael Ridout was on the microphone admitting all eyes will be on boxing this weekend… when Paddy Donovan and Lewis Crocker meet in Windsor Park in Belfast.
Of course, as he built up the occasion in his introduction, minds collectively travelled to Las Vegas, where Canelo Alvarez fights Terence Crawford, before he delivered the line about the first all-Irish world title fight in history.
Canelo-Crawford is on Netflix, of course, while DAZN will broadcast from Belfast.
“[It was] a little tongue in cheek but it’s a brilliant, brilliant fight,” Ridout told BoxingScene. “In fact, I was talking to [BBC broadcaster and historian Steve Bunce] earlier and he said that this is a better fight than any fight that took place in the ‘70s in GB or in Ireland. I unfortunately don't have Buncey's knowledge to fact check that, but it's a brilliant fight. I think it’s historic, two Irish guys fighting each other for a world title in Ireland. I was actually at Windsor Park when [Carl] Frampton fought there [against Luke Jackson] when Tyson [Fury] was on the undercard. [Soccer star] Paul Gascoigne was in the front row with Deontay Wilder, which was an extraordinary combination. It absolutely hammered it down but it was a great night, it didn’t dampen the spirits.
“I think Saturday night, because of the narrative, because of the first fight, because of the way it ended with the DQ, I'm really excited for it.”
The first fight, between Donovan and Crocker, was fought in front of an incredible atmosphere at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena. Saturday inside Windsor Park will also be special.
“I mean we just take these things for granted which absolutely we shouldn’t but it’s extraordinary how many fights that we do in stadiums now in the UK,” Ridout added.
“I’ve actually said many times before, if there was a competition of supporting sport, the Brits would win every time. I mean we just turn out for our guys. Belfast, Northern Ireland this weekend will be no different. It’ll be absolutely packed out and that just makes a better product, when you see all those people, you see all those fans, when you hear that noise, it’ll be really, really good.”
Some have started to speculate why DAZN is yet to publicise the November 15 rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn.
Eubank won a savage first battle on points in April, and the return takes place back at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“We are still talking, there’ll probably be some news next week, there’s a conversation happening in Las Vegas this week,” Ridout said of Eubank-Benn II. “I would very much expect to see it on DAZN, whether you see it on another channel [as well], I don't know yet, but you can assume that you will see that fight on DAZN.”
Could that be part of a new membership subscription as DAZN modifies its structure?
“It definitely could be. There’ll be an announcement on that in the next few weeks,” Ridout added. “We’re still working it all out exactly how it’s going to work but it is absolutely our intention to create a top tier subscription package that includes your pay-per-views.”
Is he certain that they will get the Eubank-Benn rematch?
“I am fairly convinced that we’ll have that fight, yes. We have a deal with Conor Benn via Matchroom and he is taking part in our fight so we’ll have it.”
Benn today appeared on Sky Sports, talking about the rematch which was originally intended for September 20. It was thought that Eubank's issues to make weight - he just failed to make 160lbs last time - might have been the reason for the date being pushed back.
"The weight wasn't an issue in terms of negotiation," said Benn. "I thought the delay and September 20 not happening was because of the weight so there was room for discussion on the weight. [But] the feedback we had from their camp was that the weight wasn't an issue."
