Strengthening its Spanish portfolio, DAZN has announced a joint venture with Matchroom Boxing and OPI Since 82, that will see the platform broadcast a show from Barcelona.
The expansion comes as Matchroom Boxing continues its global expansion, commencing with the first ever Matchroom Boxing Spain event at the Palau Olimpic Vall D’Hebron in Barcelona on Thursday December 12.
Eddie Hearn commented: “I’m delighted to announce the launch of Matchroom Boxing Spain and we kick off with a huge show in Barcelona on December 12. I have watched with interest the growth of boxing in Spain and I feel it is the perfect time for us to enter the market as we continue our global expansion. We look forward to giving Spanish fight fans a great show in December and many more in 2020 and beyond.”
At the top of an action-packed evening of boxing, local hero Sandor Martin (35-2, 13 KOs) makes the first defence of his EBU European Super-Lightweight crown against former champion Joe Hughes (17-4-1, 7 KO’s) and European Welterweight king David Avanesyan (25-3-1, 13 KOs) takes on Spain’s Jose Del Rio (29-8-1).
Martin landed the vacant title by retiring Italy’s Andrea Scarpa in nine rounds of their clash at the Pabellon Francisco Calvo in July earlier this year. ‘Arrasandor’ is currently enjoying six fight winning streak since suffering his first career loss at the hands of Anthony Yigit in 2017.
Hughes will be aiming to get his hands back on the European title after surrendering it to Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr in an evenly contested battle in March. The 29-year-old from Malmesbury also won the European title against Scarpa, dominating ‘Sugar Ray’ in Florence last year.
Russia’s Avanesyan is in red-hot form after firmly establishing himself as ‘the man’ of the European Welterweight scene. He ripped the 147lbs title from Bilbao’s Kerman Lejarraga on away soil in March before destroying him in the opening round of their September rematch and is targeting a World title shot should he get past Palma’s Del Rio.
On a card full of Spanish talent, Madrid’s Jonathan ‘Maravilla’ Alonso (18-1, 7 KOs) meets Venezuela’s Samuel Gonzalez (22-5, 13 KOs) over ten rounds and Malaga’s Samuel ‘La Esencia’ Molina (13-0, 5 KOs) defends his Spanish Lightweight title against Barcelona’s Ivan Tomas (9-1-1, 3 KOs).
Christian Cherchi of OPI Since 82 added on the collaboration: “We are very excited to promote our first event alongside Matchroom Boxing and DAZN in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Spain has a strong boxing tradition and many knowledgeable and passionate fans. The show will have three title fights with the European Super-Lightweight title showdown between local hero Sandor Martin and Joe Hughes, the European Welterweight title clash between David Avanesyan and tough Spaniard Jose Del Rio, with Madrid’s Jonathan Alonso and Malaga’s Samuel Molina also in action.”
Insider Insight: The expansion comes off the back of the launch of Matchroom Boxing Italy in November 2018, which was largely successful and has seen some well engaged shows in the region. The ambition that DAZN and Matchroom share when it comes to expanding into new regions, is clearly something that can benefit both parties.