UK free-to-air entertainment channel Dave has made its first major move into the sports market by landing rights to British heavyweight boxer David Haye’s comeback fight later this month.
Haye will take on Mark de Mori of Australia at London’s O2 Arena on January 16 and Dave, the flagship channel of media company UKTV, will broadcast the fight live from 9pm. It will mark the 35-year-old’s first fight in three-and-a-half years.
As well as a two-hour show on the night of the fight, Dave will air a 30-minute preview programme at 8pm on January 15. The two-hour show will feature highlights of the other fights on the Haye-De Mori card, live music performances and studio discussion.
Richard Watsham, UKTV director of commissioning, said: “Our ambition continues to grow in terms of the variety and quality of our programming and appointment to view TV remains at the top of our wish list.”
Dave general manager Steve North added that the channel will attempt to show boxing in a “brand new light”.