“Fight of Champions” Set for Global Rollout

Havas Sports & Entertainment has clinched deals in more than 200 markets for this weekend’s “Fight of Champions” featuring Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia.

The Fight of Champions World Boxing Association (WBA) Welterweight Championship in Malaysia will air live from Kuala Lumpur on July 15. Havas Sports & Entertainment represents the broadcast rights to the event on behalf of MP Promotions and Events. Deals have been sealed worldwide, including in Malaysia with local pay-TV giant Astro.

CK Lee, Astro’s head of sports business, said: “Astro Arena has been the home of sports in Malaysia and we’re proud for this rare opportunity to showcase this once-in-a-lifetime event with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao across our sports platforms, including our sports digital brand Stadium Astro. We’re pleased to partner with Havas Sports & Entertainment and Manny Pacquiao’s consortium to make this event available to Malaysian fans.”

Melvin Lim, CEO of Havas Sports & Entertainment in the Asia Pacific, noted, “Astro’s pay-TV reach in Malaysia and its world-class production capabilities is second-to-none. We are delighted to work with them to ensure the ‘Fight of Champions’ will be available to as many boxing fans in the country in high definition. We are also heartened by the response from broadcasters and sponsors, especially in Asia. Manny Pacquiao is a living legend and the star quality of this fight was a major driver across international markets, and we’re pleased boxing fans across the world will get to see his amazing bout against Matthysse.”