On October 12, 2024, boxing fans around the globe were treated to a memorable showdown between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
The highly anticipated bout saw Beterbiev narrowly win by majority decision, making him the first undisputed light heavyweight champion of the four-belt era in a controversial ending that left fans divided.
However, while the main event captivated audiences, the undercard struggled to draw attention in the U.S., reportedly generating fewer than 1,000 pay-per-view purchases on DAZN.
DAZN’s last-minute decision
Brunch Boxing attributed the underwhelming undercard numbers to DAZN’s last-minute decision to charge $19.99 for access, despite initially announcing that the card would be included in the main event broadcast for ESPN+ subscribers.
The pricing change led to backlash from fans, who found the extra charge unreasonable, especially given the lack of American fighters on the card.
The original plan included Shakur Stevenson in a title defense, but a hand injury forced him to withdraw, leaving British heavyweight Fabio Wardley to headline against Frazer Clarke.
The Wardley-Clarke rematch ended swiftly with a first-round knockout by Wardley, while other undercard highlights included Chris Eubank Jr.’s victory over Kamil Szeremeta, Jai Opetaia’s IBF cruiserweight title defense and solid wins from Skye Nicolson, Ben Whittaker, and Mohammad Alakel.
Despite these notable performances, the decision to broadcast the undercard separately at a higher cost limited its reach and left fans questioning DAZN’s strategy and transparency in promoting the event.
Wardley and Clarke squared off in a highly anticipated rematch for Wardley’s British, Commonwealth, and WBA Continental heavyweight title.
Unlike their initial fight, which ended in a split draw, Wardley quickly claimed victory with a first-round knockout, using relentless hooks that led the referee to stop the match.
Eubank Jr. made a strong comeback by dropping Kamil Szeremeta four times, securing a stoppage win. Post-fight, Conor Benn confronted Eubank in the ring, with Neymar Jr. stepping in as a mediator.
Opetaia also impressed, retaining his IBF cruiserweight title after Jack Massey‘s corner threw in the towel during the sixth round.
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