Perform Group’s OTT Channel DAZN Begins Major U.S. Push with Boxing

Daniel Jacobs defeated Maciej Sulecki in 12 rounds during their middleweight fight at Barclays Center on April 28, 2018 in Brooklyn. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)NEW YORK — Before the Perform Group launched its over-the-top sports platform in the U.S. this summer, the company studied the existing media rights deals in all of the leagues and sports. It saw an opening: boxing.

“We need one thing we can become the home of,” says Perform Group CEO Simon Denyer. “As we looked to boxing, we realized the U.S. market was really strange. Fractured, unclear, no guaranteed dates, very weird commercial model for the fans, ridiculously expensive pay-per-view, no real clear commitment as to who was showing…