Boxing is heading back to British terrestrial TV. Boxxer has struck a “historic” broadcast deal with the BBC, confirming the sport’s return to Saturday night primetime on a free-to-air basis via BBC television and BBC iPlayer. The agreement arrives after Boxxer’s previous partnership with Sky Sports ended earlier in 2025, a development that had cast doubt on the promoter’s immediate future.
Per Boxxer’s statement, live shows will headline Saturday nights, with selected undercard bouts, features, and behind-the-scenes content rolling out across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app, BBC Sounds, and BBC Sport social channels. Details such as the specific BBC channel, the first main event, undercard, and presenting team will follow. The fighter picture is still settling: European super middleweight titleholder Callum Simpson has indicated he expects his next outing with Boxxer, while Joshua Buatsi, who lost to Callum Smith in Februar, has since signed with Queensberry Promotions.
“Partnering with the BBC to deliver big-time British boxing on Saturday night TV is a historic moment,” said promoter Ben Shalom, calling the platform a chance to put “the most entertaining British fighters” in front of the biggest possible audience. BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski added that free-to-air primetime boxing will help reach younger fans and “showcase the next generation of British fighters.”
Beyond the UK, the move lands as the sport faces broader broadcast uncertainty - particularly with the conclusion of Top Rank’s deal with ESPN looming. For now, British fans get a clear win: boxing back on the BBC, with a primetime slot and a digital footprint big enough to matter. The first fight announcement will tell us how big.
Image Credit: Boxxer