Spark Sport adds boxing, golf, athletics and esports rights

New Zealand telco Spark has acquired rights to a host of boxing events through a partnership with Protocol Sports, and struck a deal with Lagardère Sports for a range of golf, athletics and esports properties.

Spark Sport will broadcast its first boxing event this Sunday when Josh Warrington takes on Kid Galahad at Leeds’ First Direct Arena.

The fight will form part of a two-year deal with Protocol Sports for live rights to 24 world championship events. Each event will include the feature match and all undercard fights, with further fights to be confirmed.

Through its partnership with Lagardère Sports, Spark Sport will broadcast golf’s Australian Open in 2019 and 2020, as well as the Blast Pro Series esports competition throughout 2019. Its coverage of the Blast Pro Series begins with the Blast Los Angeles event on July 13.

Spark Sport will also show the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) World Challenge in 2019 and 2020.

Spark launched its Spark Sport OTT platform earlier this year.