Boxxer is poised to unveil an innovative pay-per-view platform as its lineup for 2026 begins to take shape. Ben Shalom, the promoter behind Boxxer, has recently announced that a new broadcasting agreement is on the horizon, which will feature pay-per-view boxing matches. Earlier in June, Boxxer ended its partnership with Sky Sports after the expiration of their four-year contract, as the broadcaster opted not to renew.
In August, Boxxer transitioned to the BBC, a widely accessible terrestrial channel that reaches every household in the UK. This move significantly enhances the viewing potential for Shalom’s events. However, the absence of a paywall means that the financial backing typically provided by Sky Sports is no longer available for major fights. Since the BBC operates on a non-profit basis and cannot impose fees for events, this limits Boxxer’s ability to fund high-profile matchups. Fortunately, Shalom has devised a strategy to address this challenge.
"Our agreement with the BBC is reliable, and we plan to showcase significant bouts there, but we are also preparing to introduce a pay-per-view model that will be revealed next week. It won’t be part of the BBC’s offerings," Shalom shared with BoxingScene and other media outlets.
"While I understand that viewers have concerns regarding the TV license fee in the UK, the BBC provides access that's as close to free as possible. Pay-per-view remains essential because fighters aspire to transform their lives through boxing, similar to the dreams people have about weddings. Unfortunately, this situation may be disappointing for fans, but without it, we might risk losing fighters who are willing to put everything on the line to reach the pinnacle of the sport. That’s the harsh reality of boxing."
Shalom also confirmed that this new platform would operate on a pay-per-view basis without requiring a subscription.
When Shalom initially announced the BBC collaboration last June, it was rumored to include only four events annually on this new platform. So far, Boxxer has successfully completed two events on the BBC: Frazer Clarke versus Jeamie Tshikeva in November and Callum Simpson facing Troy Williamson in December, with Adam Azim set to fight Gustavo Lemos on January 31. With three of the four events already scheduled, many are left wondering if more will follow.
"Yes, we have dates lined up for March 7, April 4, and May 2," Shalom mentioned. "We’re well into planning those, but I won’t divulge any further specifics to avoid speculation. However, we are definitely on track for consistent showings."
But how satisfied is the BBC with Boxxer’s performance thus far? While the outcomes of the two main events may not have aligned with Shalom's expectations—both Clarke and Simpson experienced losses—the contests themselves were competitive and, crucially, entertaining.
"They are amazed at our ability to deliver such high-caliber fights on the BBC," Shalom stated. "The reality is they don’t possess the same budget as other broadcasters, but we’ve crafted a model that functions effectively. Sponsors are investing significantly for the attention they receive, which is fantastic news for British boxing. It’s essential that this continues because the sport truly needs it. Just look at the current situation in the US; that serves as a warning of what could happen here. Therefore, it’s vital to support the initiative of a national broadcaster engaging with boxing and fostering excitement around the sport, as this will help keep boxing thriving in this country.
"So yes, it’s remarkable that we can achieve this, and the support from the BBC has been tremendous. There’s only room for growth ahead. It’s akin to steering a massive oil tanker; it takes time for such a large organization to gain momentum, but we’re already witnessing positive effects, and this influence will continue to build. I genuinely believe we are on the path to becoming the most powerful platform for developing stars in British boxing."
