“The Fight Fans Didn’t See Coming: Why DAZN Can’t Stream the Beterbiev vs. Bivol Main Event Despite Undercard Rights”
Boxing has always been a sport full of surprises, but the latest twist in streaming rights has left fans scratching their heads. The highly anticipated clash between WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol and WBC, WBO, and IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, set for October 12th at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is already causing a stir—not just for the explosive action expected in the ring but for the unprecedented way it will be streamed. In a move that has baffled many, fans will need to juggle between two different platforms, DAZN PPV and ESPN+, to catch all the fights of the night.
The confusion stems from the fact that although DAZN holds the streaming rights for the undercard, including the much-anticipated matchup between Shakur Stevenson and Joe Cordina, it’s ESPN+ that will be exclusively streaming the main event in the U.S. This peculiar arrangement has ignited a wave of questions and frustrations among boxing enthusiasts, especially those who were hoping for a seamless viewing experience.
The Battle of the Giants: Top Rank vs. Matchroom Boxing
To understand how this situation came about, one must look at the ongoing rivalry between two of the biggest names in boxing promotion: Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing. Top Rank, the promoter behind the Bivol vs. Beterbiev main event, has an existing exclusive deal with ESPN, which means all their major fights are streamed on ESPN+ in the United States. This long-standing agreement effectively locks the main event into the ESPN+ platform, despite the undercard being promoted by Matchroom Boxing, which has its own deal with DAZN.
Rafael explained the arrangement on X. “Seems to be some confusion so I’ll reiterate with regard to #BeterbievBivol. The main event will be 1-fight stream in US on ESPN+ with its announcers as part of a subscription, per Top Rank, which owns US rights to the main event. Rest of event will be DAZN PPV in the US,” he wrote.
This dual streaming setup is unprecedented and has left many fans scratching their heads. As Dan Rafael, a well-respected boxing journalist, pointed out on social media, “Seems to be some confusion so I’ll reiterate with regard to #BeterbievBivol. The main event will be 1-fight stream in US on ESPN+ with its announcers as part of a subscription, per Top Rank, which owns US rights to the main event. Rest of event will be DAZN PPV in the US.”
This statement highlights the fragmented nature of the event, where viewers will have to navigate between different platforms to catch all the action. For hardcore boxing fans, this might mean paying twice for a single event or, at the very least, subscribing to both services to avoid missing any part of the night.
Fans’ Dilemma: To Pay or Not to Pay
The biggest question on every fan’s mind is the cost. While ESPN+ subscribers will be able to watch the Bivol vs. Beterbiev main event without any additional fees beyond their regular subscription, DAZN has yet to announce the pricing for its PPV coverage of the undercard. This uncertainty has only added to the confusion and frustration, as fans are left wondering how much they will have to shell out to enjoy the full experience.
This situation has sparked a broader conversation about the state of boxing in the modern era. With so many different promoters, networks, and streaming services vying for a piece of the pie, the sport has become increasingly fragmented, making it harder for fans to follow their favorite fighters and events. In this case, the rivalry between Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing has led to a disjointed viewing experience that many believe could have been avoided with better collaboration between the two entities.
The Undercard: A Night of High-Stakes Battles
While the main event is certainly the crown jewel of the night, the undercard is not to be overlooked. Fans tuning in early will be treated to a series of high-stakes matchups, headlined by Shakur Stevenson’s WBC title defense against Joe Cordina. This fight marks Cordina’s move to the lightweight division, and many are eager to see how he fares against a rising star like Stevenson.
Other notable bouts include Chris Eubank Jr.’s return to the ring against veteran Kamil Szeremeta, a fight that could set Eubank up for a future world title shot. British heavyweights Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke will also go head-to-head in a rematch for the British title, following their previous draw. The undercard is stacked with talent, and with the likes of Ben Whittaker, Jai Opetaia, and the first-ever WBC featherweight title fight in Saudi Arabia featuring Skye Nicholson and Raven Chapman, there’s no shortage of excitement leading up to the main event.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Boxing
The split-streaming scenario for the Bivol vs. Beterbiev fight underscores a growing issue in the sport: the fragmentation of broadcast and streaming rights. As more platforms vie for exclusive deals with promoters, fans are increasingly finding themselves caught in the middle, forced to subscribe to multiple services or pay-per-view options just to follow the sport they love.
This trend raises concerns about the accessibility of boxing, particularly for casual fans who may not be willing to jump through these hoops to watch a fight. The risk is that the sport could become more niche, with only the most dedicated fans willing to pay the price—both literally and figuratively.
For now, though, fans will have to navigate this new landscape if they want to catch all the action on October 12th. Whether this dual-platform approach will become the norm remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the battle for control of boxing’s broadcast rights is far from over.
