IMG Replay selling archive rights to Frank Warren fights

IMG Replay, the archive footage arm of the Endeavor-owned sports marketing agency, has struck a deal with the Frank Warren-led boxing promoter Queensbury Promotions to digitise and market an archive of over 2,000 fights dating back over 110 years.

The agreement also includes future bouts featuring Warren’s stable of top fighters.

A branded client webpage has been set up with over 200 fights already digitised, logged and available to purchase.

All rights are available worldwide on a non-exclusive basis.

Highlights within the archive include Frank Bruno’s 1995 world heavyweight title win over Oliver McCall, Joe Calzaghe’s 2007 triumph over Mikel Kessler in Cardiff’s, Ricky Hatton’s IBF light welterweight fight with Kostya Tszyu in 2005 and Prince Nazeem Hamed against Kevin Kelley at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1997.

Archive rights to world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s fights with Dereck Chisora, Christian Hammer and Francesco Pianeta are also available, along with selected fights of Mike Tyson, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and David Haye.

The 1909 heavyweight match-up between Jack Johnson and Stanley Ketchel is the oldest fight in the archive.

Warren said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the expansion of the already strong relationship that exists between Queensberry Promotions and IMG. I look forward to working together to get maximum value out of what is the most extensive, high-quality boxing archive in Europe.”

Tom Barnes, vice-president at IMG Media, said that “recent times have shown us how valuable archive footage is to broadcasters and clients around the world and we expect that trend to continue alongside the return of live sport”.