Monetary experiences stating that DAZN has misplaced six billion {dollars} since its inception have been written all around the face of legendary MC Michael Buffer on Friday.
At a weigh-in, a “little individual” performed out a faux situation on stage in opposition to a person who’s by no means seen a boxing glove earlier than this week as Buffer visibly winced on stage.
Michael Buffer embarrassed
Buffer, who has launched the most effective fighters who ever laced up a pair, has been decreased to standing on stage embarrassed by what he’s been decreased to in the present day.
The stunning occasions transpired shortly after Bloomberg revealed that DAZN ran at an working lack of $1.35 billion in 2021.
Excuses have been fast to be made in regards to the losses, together with buying TV rights for different sports activities. Nonetheless, whenever you placed on exhibits just like the one which went down on Friday’s weigh-in, it’s no surprise the vault is hemorrhaging quickly.
The entire DAZN technique wants an overhaul, with the boxing facet of issues quick changing into a laughing inventory.
Billionaire Len Blavatnik had a imaginative and prescient when he launched DAZN. Absolutely this can’t be it.
Actual boxing followers responded to what they witnessed of their droves. The overwhelming majority have been unfavorable. Trustworthy supporters of the game are sad at these spectacles being given a platform that ought to go to professionals.
The truth that promoters at Golden Boy and Matchroom Boxing affiliate themselves with DAZN and don’t inform them to chop this out is a headscratcher.
DAZN is altering the sport, not for the higher
DAZN’s entire coverage on the game, which it used to entice followers again in 2018, has utterly gone off-piste. They now promote many exhibits on Pay Per View and pay out huge quantities of cash for substandard merchandise.
It is a one-way ticket to oblivion for DAZN, which the followers don’t have any bother conveying after witnessing essentially the most cringe-worthy scaling ceremony conceivable.
“When are they going to place an finish to this? DAZN needs to be ashamed,” mentioned one.
One other added: “This isn’t boxing. It’s taking the precise p*** out of a sport all of us love. The fighters are those who’ve lived and breathed the game.
“Eddie Hearn and DAZN Boxing promote this. I assume you don’t love the game, solely love the cash,”
Delight
A 3rd honed in on Buffer’s demeanor when stating: “Michael Buffer has gone from all-time greats to this.
“He should be embarrassed. I do know he’s in all probability getting paid ridiculous quantities for it, however absolutely delight should take over sooner or later?”
After all of the speak pre-launch, DAZN is pinning all its future hopes on the Pay Per View market in one of the vital ironic or moronic shifts in boxing historical past.
Claiming to have a complete of fifteen million subscribers worldwide, DAZN must do one thing drastic to at the least get the actual boxing followers on board.
It’s not what goes down on Saturday evening. That’s undoubtedly not boxing in any approach, form, or kind.
The views expressed on this article are the opinions of skilled boxing author Phil Jay. Twitter @PhilJWBN. Observe WBN: Fb, Insta, Twitter.
