Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, two prominent boxers from the UK and Ukraine respectively, reportedly missed out on earning millions due to illegal streaming of their recent fight. The event, which took place last Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was marred by 20 million illegal views worldwide, leading to a significant revenue loss estimated at $120 million.
According to Yield Sec, an online intelligence company cited by The Daily Mail, over 2000 illegal streams broadcasted the match globally. In terms of regional breakdown, about 4 million illegal views came from the UK alone.
Europe accounted for 45% of these unauthorized streams, followed by North America with 25%, and Asia contributing to 16%. The official broadcasters like Sky Sports Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office, and DAZN PPV in the UK faced considerable financial setbacks due to this widespread unauthorized access.
The boxing match itself had significant implications. Oleksandr Usyk won by a split decision marking Tyson Fury's first professional career defeat. At a post-fight press conference, Fury expressed his uncertainty about continuing his boxing career following this setback.
However, plans for a rematch are already in motion. Promoter Frank Warren mentioned that both fighters have signed contracts for another bout scheduled tentatively in October in the Middle East: "He's back here, he's recuperating, and his mood is that he wants the rematch and that’s already signed for so it will happen."
This incident underscores not only the challenges faced by athletes due to piracy but also reflects broader issues within digital content management and rights enforcement globally. As technology continues to advance, combating illegal streaming remains a critical concern for content creators and distributors aiming to protect revenues and intellectual property rights.
