Press Release
WASSERMAN BOXING AND CHANNEL 5 ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE MULTI-EVENT DEAL TO REVOLUTIONISE FREE-TO-AIR BOXING IN THE UK
Wasserman Boxing and Channel 5 today announce an exclusive multi-event deal that will bring some of the biggest names and brightest prospects in British boxing to terrestrial television in a series of free-to-air fight nights delivered in association with Infinitum Entertainment and William Hill.
Formed following the acquisition of European powerhouse promoter Team Sauerland by leading global sports company Wasserman, Wasserman Boxing has become the UK’s fastest growing boxing stable, promoting many of the country’s greatest talents including Middleweight star Chris Eubank Jr, Welterweight contender Josh Kelly, Heavyweight hope Nathan Gorman, rising Super Lightweight Harlem Eubank, and undefeated Middleweight Linus Udofia.
The deal will secure five free-to-air fight nights for Channel 5 in 2022 that will also be streamed live on My5 and available on the player to catch up.
“This is a major move that is going to revolutionise free-to-air boxing in the UK,” said Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland. “We all know the brilliant numbers that Channel 5 does with boxing and we feel with these great partners we can take this to a whole new level! We are going to deliver premium events featuring breath-taking productions, filled arenas and incredible match ups. Also expect a surprise or two in the build ups. We can’t wait to get started!”
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Channel 5,” said Wasserman COO of Global Football and Boxing, Fahri Ecvet. “This exciting new deal guarantees the continuation of free-to-air boxing in the UK and will provide our boxers with a fantastic platform to showcase their abilities to the biggest possible audience.”
Caj Sohal, Head of Sport at Channel 5 said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Wasserman, one of the world’s largest sports marketing companies, to continue to bring top class fights free-to-air in the UK. With the industry expertise of the Sauerland brothers and the incredible reach of the Wasserman agency, our audience can look forward to some unforgettable nights of boxing live and free on Channel 5.”
“In the last 7 years, through our unique funding model, Infinitum Entertainment has been instrumental in making free to air boxing happen on Channel 5 and we look forward to working closely with our new promoter partner Wasserman in 2022 to deliver the biggest boxing audiences on TV,” said Damon Letzer, Director at Infinitum Entertainment.
Notes to editors
About Wasserman
Wasserman is a partner to the world’s most iconic brands, properties and talent in their endeavours across sports, entertainment and culture. Our purpose is to transform the businesses and careers of clients. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Wasserman operates globally in more than 20 cities, including London, New York, Toronto, Raleigh, Carlsbad, The Hague, Portland and Shanghai. In 2021, Wasserman acquired Team Sauerland, one of the world’s leading boxing promoters, to form Wasserman Boxing, a new global force in the world of boxing. Wasserman Boxing’s promotional stable includes British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr, IBF World Cruiserweight Champion Mairis Briedis and top heavyweight contender Filip Hrgović. Learn more at TeamWass.com.
About Channel 5
Channel 5 is an award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station, reaching 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month. The channel has a diverse schedule of original programmes across genres including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming, headline-grabbing current affairs and critically acclaimed children’s and news programming.
Infinitum Entertainment
Infinitum Entertainment is a television and communications investment group working closely with production companies, broadcasters, media agencies and advertisers. We aim to create, develop and deliver new ways of funding television programmes and digital content utilising advertising inventory to make it happen. We pride ourselves on having a professional, collaborative and integrated approach with our partners, developing ideas that generate more investment in TV production, better returns for rights owners and smarter advertising solutions.