Frank Warren: Promoter looks to what will change for boxing after 45 years as promoter

Boxing’s TV situation is complex.

There are many in the sport who fear more major fights going onto streaming platforms isn’t good for the long-term future, while others argue they need to move with changing viewing habits.

Warren is one of them after Queensberry moved to DAZN in 2025 after being with TNT Sports and previously on BoxNation and Sky Sports.

“EastEnders at one time had 15 million, 20 million people watching,” he recalls.

“They’re lucky to get three now. What fans are watching and how they’re watching is different now.

“I talk to my grandkids all the time and they hardly watch TV. They get most of their entertainment through YouTube.”

BBC has recently returned to boxing alongside Boxxer, while Sky Sports have teamed up with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions (MVP).

Netflix showed Anthony Joshua v Jake Paul and will broadcast Tyson Fury’s comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov in April which suggest they’re becoming a serious player.

While TV and pay-per-view remains a huge source of income, Warren believes the live gate will remain key in the next decades, but says there needs to be innovation for the viewing audience.

“It’s all about how the public change,” he says. “The live gate’s always going to be there.

“I’ve seen what they’re doing with some football matches now with big screens, which are like a 3D sort of situation. That’s very interesting.

“The name of the game for any sport, any promoter is to capitalise on how technology is changing, generate income that makes the show a bigger show, makes it successful.

“And the bottom line of it is [to make sure] the fighters do really, really well.”