Most sports fans watch pay-per-view boxing in pubs

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Highly anticipated: the 'Ring of Fire' fight night is set to take place on Saturday 18 May

Some 93% of sports fans said they go to a pub specifically to watch a top tier pay-per-view boxing event, research has found.

The survey, which was conducted for TNT Sports, also showed more than half of the participants would stay in a venue longer for the event.

This comes as later this month (Saturday 18 May) WBC champion Tyson Fury and unified champion Oleksandr Usyk do battle for the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship fight, which has been dubbed ‘Ring of Fire’.

There will also be two further world championship fights at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Australian cruiseweight Jai Opetaia who is set to face previous division ruler and World Boxing Super Series champion Mairis Briedis for the IBF world title in a world championship rematch.

Moreover, former light heavyweight king Sergey Kovalev will continue his run at cruiserweight as he takes on unbeaten Robin Sirwan Safar from Sweden.

Licensing rules

Also featuring will be British heavyweight star of the future Moses Itauma and cruiserweight and 2021 Olympian David Nyika from New Zealand.

The undercard will be live on TNT Sports Box Office from 5pm UK time and the event is set to run until 1am, with the main event ring walk expected at 11pm.

Due to the timings, operators have been urged to check their licensing conditions that may apply.

Poppleston Allen senior associate solicitor Andy Grimsey said: “The screening of live TV broadcasts is exempt from requiring permission under the Licensing Act 2003, but clearly your premises licence will need to authorise the sale of alcohol and opening to cover the hours of the match.

“The latest day you can issue a late temporary event notice (TEN) is Friday the 10 May for the Usyk/Fury Match (the TEN must be received by the council on Friday 10) but remember the police or environmental health have an absolute veto.

“Check you can comply with any relevant licence conditions and remember the audience profile for boxing events can sometimes differ from your normal crowd, so make any necessary arrangements, for example additional door staff.” 

Biggest nights

Laura Woods will be at the heart of the action alongside a renowned line-up of boxing’s best experts such as Carl Frampton, Richie Woodhall and Steve Bunce.

The fight is available to buy exclusively from TNT Sports Box Office for pubs and clubs in the UK.

TNT Sports Business director of commercial customers Alasdair Collis said: “Fury v Usyk is the most highly anticipated heavyweight fight for a quarter of century and we’re thrilled to be able to offer the event exclusively live to commercial premises via TNT Sports Box Office.

“This is set to be once of the biggest nights in sporting history, offering a full evening of live world championship boxing, which is bound to draw the crowds to enjoy this huge event together and in the nations’ pubs and bars.”

TNT customers who order the fight in the next few days (before 10 May) will be send a free poster pack to help them market the event, as well as social assets being available for download.