Matchroom Boxing, the prominent promotion led by Eddie Hearn, has officially announced a significant new multi-year partnership with the streaming service DAZN. This agreement extends their existing collaboration, ensuring that Matchroom's roster of elite fighters will remain featured on DAZN's platform until at least the year 2031.
Strategic Extension of a Key Alliance
The new deal represents a continuation of a relationship that began in 2021, when Matchroom first parted ways with Sky Sports to sign an initial five-year contract with DAZN. This latest five-year extension solidifies what both parties describe as a shared ambition for the future of boxing broadcasting and promotion.
Global Reach and Major Markets
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, the renewed partnership specifically focuses on the crucial United Kingdom and United States markets. It commits to delivering more than 30 live boxing shows globally each year, significantly expanding the content available to subscribers.
Eddie Hearn, the Chairman of Matchroom Boxing, expressed strong confidence in the alliance. "DAZN is the only partner that matches our ambitions for boxing," Hearn stated. "Their global platform, investment, passion and commitment to boxing make them the perfect partner for our fighters and events. This new deal in two of the world's most important boxing markets reinforces our belief and trust in DAZN, and the scale of what we can achieve together."
Roster Implications and Fighter Spotlight
The extension means high-profile Matchroom athletes are set to continue appearing on DAZN, barring retirements or new promotional agreements elsewhere. The roster includes:
- Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua
- Undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor
- Welterweight contender Conor Benn
- Undefeated multi-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson
- Recently undisputed light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol
- Rising pound-for-pound talent Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez
- British light-heavyweight prospect Ben Whittaker
Navigating Transitions and Future Stars
The deal's timing coincides with potential transitions within the sport. Anthony Joshua's boxing future is currently uncertain following a fatal car accident in Nigeria, where he was a passenger and two of his teammates tragically lost their lives. This occurred just days after his sixth-round stoppage victory over Jake Paul on Netflix, an event for which DAZN granted special permission.
With the legendary Katie Taylor, now 39, approaching the end of her illustrious career, DAZN and Matchroom will likely increasingly rely on younger talents to drive viewership. Fighters like Conor Benn, Shakur Stevenson, Jesse Rodriguez, and Ben Whittaker are positioned to become central figures in the promotion's long-term strategy.
Stevenson, 28, recently enhanced his status with a masterful points victory over Teofimo Lopez in January 2026, capturing a world title in a fourth weight class and maintaining his unbeaten record. Following that bout in New York City, Conor Benn entered the ring at Madison Square Garden for a face-off with Stevenson, hinting at future marquee matchups.
Meanwhile, British prospect Ben Whittaker is building momentum towards a potential world-title shot at light-heavyweight after a successful first-round stoppage in his Matchroom debut last November. Dmitry Bivol is eyeing a ring return later in the year following injury recovery, and Jesse Rodriguez continues to establish himself as one of the sport's premier pound-for-pound talents.
This comprehensive new agreement underscores DAZN's position as a dominant force in sports streaming and Matchroom's commitment to leveraging a digital-first platform for global boxing expansion. The partnership aims to deliver an extensive calendar of premium fights directly to fans' devices, solidifying a key axis in the modern boxing landscape for the remainder of the decade.
