Showtime has secured the US rights to unified heavyweight world boxing titleholder Anthony Joshua’s mandatory defence against Kubrat Pulev after reportedly seeing off a strong bid for the fight from pay-television rival HBO.
Britain’s Joshua will face off against his Bulgarian rival at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on October 28, in what will be his fourth title defence.
Showtime’s initial three-fight deal with Joshua’s promoter Matchroom Boxing had expired and ESPN.com said HBO entered an offer of $1.6m (€1.34m) for next month’s bout.
However, Showtime is said to have utilised its right to match any offer that exceeded its own, therefore securing the rights.