Warner Bros. Discovery and DAZN Forge Alliance for Monthly Boxing Showcases on TNT

by : Guillermo del Toro
Warner Bros. Discovery and DAZN are joining forces to elevate boxing's profile in the United States, promising a fresh wave of monthly fight nights for enthusiasts and new audiences alike.

Experience the Thrill: Monthly Boxing Comes to TNT and DAZN

Warner Bros. Discovery Enters the Boxing Arena

While Warner Bros. Discovery's sports division has a strong presence in college basketball, professional hockey, and major league baseball, its involvement in professional boxing has been limited. This is set to change with a groundbreaking new collaboration.

A Strategic Alliance: TNT Sports and DAZN Unite

A new partnership between Warner's TNT Sports and the streaming giant DAZN, unveiled on a recent Thursday, will introduce monthly boxing events. These showcases, branded as “The Fight,” will be broadcast on TNT and simultaneously streamed on DAZN's platforms. The initiative leverages DAZN's extensive network of top boxing promoters, including prominent names like Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, Golden Boy Promotions, and Queensberry Promotions. The inaugural event is scheduled for July 4th, with additional related content to be featured on Warner's TruTV.

Reigniting American Boxing's Appeal

The primary objective of this joint venture is to significantly boost boxing's visibility and popularity within the U.S. While other platforms like ESPN, DAZN, and Netflix regularly feature boxing, the sport's once-dominant stature diminished after major players like Warner's HBO and Paramount's Showtime withdrew their support for pay-per-view boxing events in 2018 and 2023, respectively.

Making Boxing a Mainstream Spectacle

Both Warner and DAZN are committed to integrating boxing more deeply into the fabric of television sports. Walker Jacobs, DAZN's global chief revenue officer and president of U.S. operations, expressed the goal of presenting “one championship fight every month in primetime on TNT and simulcast on DAZN.” He emphasized the ambition to restore boxing to its historical prominence and cultural significance. Raphael Poplock, TNT Sports’ senior vice president of strategic partnerships, content acquisitions, and business development, highlighted that airing matches on TNT will attract casual viewers while also catering to dedicated boxing enthusiasts.

Shared Revenue and Collaborative Success

The partnership involves a revenue-sharing model between the two companies, as confirmed by Jacobs. He drew parallels to Warner's successful collaboration with Paramount for the annual NCAA March Madness men’s basketball tournament, where both entities share advertising sales. This new boxing alliance stems from the positive outcomes of a prior collaboration between TNT Sports and DAZN for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Jacobs noted DAZN's admiration for Warner's expertise in programming and audience engagement.

Expanding Sports Franchises Beyond Traditional Leagues

The concept of “The Fight” echoes TNT Sports' existing "The Match" series of celebrity golf tournaments, suggesting a deliberate strategy to develop new sports franchises that are less dependent on major national sports leagues. This approach reflects a growing trend among traditional media companies to assert greater control over sports rights, especially as the costs for top-tier events from leagues like the NFL and NBA continue to escalate. Warner has already ventured into new sports entities, including a partnership with the three-on-three Unrivaled women’s basketball league and a new “Dunkman” league launched with Shaquille O’Neal, alongside its broadcasts of Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League games.

Complementing Core Partnerships with Innovative Ventures

Poplock affirmed TNT Sports' commitment to its premiere partners while also embracing early sponsorship of emerging leagues. This dual strategy allows the network to maintain strong relationships with established sports entities while fostering innovation in sports programming.

Enhanced Coverage Across Multiple Platforms

Beyond the main events, TNT Sports will provide a wealth of additional programming and content across its various platforms, including Bleacher Report and House of Highlights. TruTV will serve as a dedicated channel for pre-fight activities such as weigh-ins, press conferences, and exclusive featurettes, offering fans comprehensive coverage of each boxing spectacle.

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