Showtime To Air Anthony Joshua vs. Joseph Parker Live

[Ruthless-RKO]

Showtime announced Monday afternoon that the American cable network will televise the Anthony Joshua-Joseph Parker heavyweight title unification fight live March 31.

Joshua-Parker will be the sixth Joshua fight Showtime will air live in its bid to become the permanent U.S. television home for the immensely popular British knockout artist. Rival HBO has expressed serious interest in televising Joshua’s bouts, but Showtime has made a firm financial commitment to retaining Joshua’s services, with the ultimate goal of owning the American television rights to a highly anticipated showdown between Joshua (20-0, 20 KOs) and WBC champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs).

In its press release to announce that the network will broadcast Joshua-Parker, Showtime noted that the Joshua-Parker fight will mark just the second time in heavyweight history that undefeated champions will meet in a title unification fight.

The first time that happened, Mike Tyson, then 30-0 and owner of the WBA and WBC titles, defeated Tony Tucker, then 34-0 and the IBF champ, by 12-round unanimous decision in August 1987 in Las Vegas.

“The heavyweight division is in the midst of a renaissance, and Showtime is delivering all the of pivotal bouts to our subscribers,” Stephen Espinoza, Showtime Sports’ president, said in the release. “Anthony Joshua is a global superstar and we’re proud to present his sixth, and perhaps most challenging, world title fight to the U.S. audience. Joshua versus Parker will be the 12th heavyweight world championship match on Showtime since Deontay Wilder won his title in [January] 2015, an undisputed industry-leading offering in boxing’s preeminent division.”

Showtime will broadcast Joshua-Parker live late in the afternoon on the East Coast and in mid-afternoon on the West Coast in the United States. It’ll be televised via pay-per-view on Sky Sports Box Office in the United Kingdom.

[Enlightened-One]

It's Showtime's final bout of their deal with AJ. There might be a bidding war between themselves and HBO to obtain Joshua's signature to sign a new contract.

That being said, Hearn hasn't ruled out the possibility of the Brit renewing his deal with Showtime, because not only have they been good to him, but it might be the only way for AJ to get to Wilder, since 'The Bronze Bomber' is with that network... so signing with HBO may scupper the bout from happening.

It's an interesting situation, because Hearn's Matchroom US division and one of their fighters (Danny Jacobs) have recently signed contracts with HBO.

[Ruthless-RKO]

It's Showtime's final bout of their deal with AJ. There might be a bidding war between themselves and HBO to obtain Joshua's signature to sign a new contract.

That being said, Hearn hasn't ruled out the possibility of the Brit renewing his deal with Showtime, because not only have they been good to him, but it might be the only way for AJ to get to Wilder, since 'The Bronze Bomber' is with that network... so signing with HBO may scupper the bout from happening.

It finished a while ago. Was initially a 3 fight deal. Hearn said there was open options. HBO and Showtime have been already bidding. AJ-Klit was different as Klit was already with HBO.

[Enlightened-One]

It's Showtime's final bout of their deal with AJ. There might be a bidding war between themselves and HBO to obtain Joshua's signature to sign a new contract.

That being said, Hearn hasn't ruled out the possibility of the Brit renewing his deal with Showtime, because not only have they been good to him, but it might be the only way for AJ to get to Wilder, since 'The Bronze Bomber' is with that network... so signing with HBO may scupper the bout from happening.

It finished a while ago. Was initially a 3 fight deal. Hearn said there was open options. HBO and Showtime have been already bidding. AJ-Klit was different as Klit was already with HBO.

Not according to the videod interviews of Hearn explaining that any TV network were capable of bidding for the license to cover the Joshua-Parker bout (i.e. ESPN, HBO etc.), but Showtime would contractually win those rights if they chose to match the highest bid.

The Joshua-Parker bout is the final fight of their contractual options over AJ (as per the following video posted two weeks ago):

Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza confirms the final option:

[Ruthless-RKO]

Not according to the videod interviews of Hearn explaining that any TV network were capable of bidding for the license to cover the Joshua-Parker bout (i.e. ESPN, HBO etc.), but Showtime would contractually win those rights if they chose to match the highest bid.

This was what I was referring to. I believe it was initially 3 fight deal, after that other networks were open to bid. HBO put a good bid in last time, but Showtime just matched it, meaning they automatically got the fight.

Apologies, my explanation before wasn't worded correctly. It's kind of what I meant when I said 'Hearn said there was open options'.

[Thomastearns]

Anthony Joshua is finding himself in the middle of an ever growing phenomena. His sense of focus seems to be spot on.

I'm not sure how much longer he can remain in the UK though.

[Tony1244]

I just want Joshua-Parker AND Wilder-Ortiz to go off as scheduled. Is that too much to ask?