Rights deal secured in host market of ‘Fight of Champions’

The Havas Sports & Entertainment agency has brokered a late deal with Malaysian pay-television broadcaster Astro for rights to Sunday’s ‘Fight of Champions’ boxing clash between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse.

The fight for the World Boxing Association welterweight championship is taking place at Axiata Arena in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. Astro will showcase the event across its sports platforms, including digital offering Stadium Astro.

Havas Sports & Entertainment was appointed by fight promoter MP Promotions and Events as the international media rights and commercial partner of the event and said broadcast deals have been secured in more than 200 territories.

MP Promotions and Events’ head of sales and marketing, Arnold Vegafria, said: “We’re poised to make many commercial and broadcast breakthroughs with this event and we’re proud to have contributed to Malaysia’s international tourism goals in major territories worldwide.”

Petron Corporation, the Philippines’ largest oil refining and marketing company, has also agreed a sponsorship deal to feature prominently before and during the event.