ITV announce deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions which sees the sport return to terrestrial TV

The collaboration is the first time that Haymon Sports and PBC has partnered with a UK broadcaster to stage boxing events regularly in the UK

Errol Spence Jr and Mikey Garcia fight in 2019 (Getty)

ITV has announced a new three-year broadcasting deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) promotional company, which will guarantee a minimum of 15 televised events each year, including free-to-air broadcasts on ITV 1.

The deal marks the first time Haymon Sports and PBC have delivered boxing events to UK audiences. There are currently some 160 PBC fighters, including the likes of Errol Spence Jr, Mikey Garcia, Manny Pacquiao and Jermall and Jermell Charlo.

Events over the next three years will include free-to-air broadcasts on ITV main channel’s and ITV4 and ITV Hub, as well as pay per views on ITV’s PPV channel, ITV Box Office.

“This unprecedented deal between PBC and ITV is great news for boxing fans in the UK. We look forward to bringing viewers big events and superb action from some of the world’s best fighters in the coming years,” said Niall Sloane, ITV Director of Sport, in a press release on Tuesday.

Tim Smith, Vice President of Communications for Haymon Boxing, added: “We're thrilled about this new exclusive three-year deal with ITV, UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster, and the opportunity to bring the best boxers in the world to the UK.

“The unique collaboration means ITV’s viewers are in for a special treat with PBC’s world class boxing events.”

The Independent understands that a long-rumoured super-middleweight bout between former world champion James DeGale and Chris Eubank Jnr is expected to be the first major PBC event in the UK in early 2019.