The highly anticipated undisputed heavyweight championship bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury took place on May 18, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was a historic moment as all four sanctioning body titles were on the line in a single heavyweight fight for the first time.
Despite the availability of legitimate pay-per-view options, an astonishing 20 million people chose to watch the fight via illegal streams. These unauthorized streams cost TV rights holders a jaw-dropping £95 million in lost revenue. The fight was a magnet for piracy, with fans seeking free alternatives rather than paying the £25 fee to watch it legally.
Global Impact
Research conducted by Yield Sec for the Daily Mail revealed that there were approximately 2,000 streaming locations worldwide. Of those, 18 percent (around four million viewers) were in the UK, while 25 percent (five million viewers) were located in North America and a whopping 45 percent in Europe. These figures represent the sheer scale of the illegal streaming phenomenon and underscore the financial implications for broadcasters.
A DAZN spokesman told Mail Sport: ‘It may seem a victimless crime, but most illegal feeds are provided by criminal networks or carry the risk of phishing and identity theft. Our advice is don’t risk the sport you care about, or your own data, by using illegal feeds.’
20 MILLION people illegally streamed Oleksandr Usyk’s historic undisputed heavyweight win over Tyson Fury costing rights holders £95m
byu/Agile_Market7810 inBoxing
Oleksandr Usyk Emerges Victorious
In the ring, Oleksandr Usyk emerged triumphant after a grueling 12-round battle against Tyson Fury. His victory added another layer of drama to the fight, making it a must-watch event for boxing enthusiasts. However, the financial repercussions for broadcasters cannot be ignored.
The Battle Against Piracy
The fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Fury serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against piracy in the digital age. Broadcasters and rights holders face an uphill struggle to protect their content and revenue streams. As technology evolves, so do the methods used by pirates to distribute unauthorized streams.
While the fight itself was a testament to the skill and determination of both fighters, the illegal streaming epidemic cast a shadow over the event. The loss of £95 million in revenue highlights the urgent need for stronger anti-piracy measures and a collective effort to safeguard the future of sports broadcasting.
Read More- This fighter Could be Conor McGregor’s Next Target After Michael Chandler