US pay-television broadcasters HBO and Showtime have reached an agreement to share rights in the country to the upcoming heavyweight world championship boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko.
Showtime already holds exclusive rights in the US to coverage of fights featuring British heavyweight world champion Joshua through an agreement with the 27-year-old’s promoter, Matchroom Sport.
HBO, meanwhile, has an exclusive agreement with Klitschko in the US. Both broadcasters have reached an agreement to produce their own telecasts of the fight, which takes place at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 29.
Under the agreement, Showtime’s live coverage will begin at 4:15pm ET, while HBO’s delayed coverage will start at approximately 10:45pm ET.
Matchroom Sport’s group managing director, Eddie Hearn, said: “It takes a special fight to break down barriers and boundaries but also networks and executives who believe in working with the best interest of fight fans in mind.
“With the obstacles in place it would have been (an) easy resolution to not air the fight in the States but I want to thank HBO and Showtime for their perseverance and allowing America to see one hell of a fight at our national stadium in front (of) 90,000 passionate fans.”
Bernd Boente, managing director of Klitschko Management Group, added: “I’m extremely happy and thankful that our respective US TV partners Showtime and HBO reached an agreement. This happened before in the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and the Lewis vs. Tyson fights and shows you the magnitude of our event at Wembley Stadium on April 29.”
The undefeated Joshua will be defending his IBF World Championship belt, with the vacant IBO and WBA World Championship belts also on the line. Klitschko is himself a former world heavyweight champion.
Joshua and Klitschko have a two-fight deal. ESPN.com said that a rematch would see HBO hold the live rights and Showtime revert to broadcasting the fight on a delayed basis.