In a shock, but welcome announcement, Channel 5 has announced it will broadcast the eagerly anticipated clash between Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz live in the UK, with programming starting at 2am in the early hours of Sunday morning (November 1).
Four-weight champion Santa Cruz and Baltimore banger Davis are expected to make their ring walks around 4am UK time, with the WBA Super 130lbs and WBA Regular 135lbs titles both on the line at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The live broadcast will start with the return of former WBA Super 140lbs champion Regis Prograis against the undefeated Juan Heraldez before the WBA Regular 140lbs title fight between champion Mario Barrios and Texan challenger Ryan Karl.
“We at Channel 5 are so proud to present one of the fights of the year in partnership with our ViacomCBS colleagues Showtime. This latest match-up is testament to our commitment as a broadcaster to bring the British public world class boxing live and free,” said Caj Sohal, Head of Sports at Channel 5.
“We are proud to partner with Channel 5 to deliver this great event to the legions of passionate boxing fans across the UK,” added Stephen Espinoza, President, Showtime Sports and Event Programming. “This is a prime opportunity to work with a corporate partner to distribute high-impact sports content across our global platforms. Saturday night’s card is stacked with intriguing fights, and the main event is one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. We have a boxer with one of the sport’s highest knockout ratios in “Tank” Davis facing one of the busiest, highest pressure fighters in the sport in Leo Santa Cruz. The UK boxing fans deserved an outlet to watch this exciting fight card live, and thanks to Channel 5, they will be able to do so.”
The fight will also be made available on Channel 5’s streaming service My5 from 9am Sunday morning, as well as Pluto TV in the UK.