Streaming giant Netflix has entered the bidding war for broadcast rights to the potential heavyweight showdown between British boxers Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, as the fight that fans have anticipated for years edges closer to reality.
The platform, with its massive global subscriber base of over 300 million, is reportedly willing to pay a substantial amount to secure the rights for what could be one of boxing’s biggest events in 2025, potentially revolutionising how such premium sporting spectacles are delivered to audiences worldwide.
Joshua, 35, has publicly stated his desire to face Fury this year, insisting that the long-awaited clash “has to happen” despite the Gypsy King’s recent retirement announcement following his losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
“In an ideal world, he will fight Fury,” promoter Eddie Hearn told talkSPORT, confirming that plans for the mega-fight remain on the table despite Joshua exploring alternative opponents including Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Agit Kabayel, and Deontay Wilder.
The potential Netflix deal could represent a significant shift in boxing broadcasting, especially as traditional platforms such as HBO, NBC, Showtime, and ESPN have scaled back their involvement in the sport. Industry insiders suggest the streaming service may be positioning itself as a future leader in live sports content.
Former world champion Amir Khan has weighed in on the potential matchup, suggesting it would be a closely contested fight that could go the distance.
“It’s a 50/50 contest now,” Khan commented, noting that Fury’s recent losses have levelled the playing field between the British heavyweights.
Joshua has been inactive since his defeat to Dubois in November, which derailed his bid to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. The British-Nigerian fighter initially declined an immediate rematch with Dubois, with his team citing injuries and insufficient preparation time.
While some boxing analysts argue the Joshua-Fury clash is happening too late in both fighters’ careers, with neither currently considered among the division’s top two, the commercial appeal remains enormous, with estimates suggesting it could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Netflix’s interest follows the platform’s growing commitment to live sports content, although it has faced technical challenges during previous boxing broadcasts, most notably during the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event.