Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar
An incredible number of people illegally streamed the undisputed showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Sky Sports Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office and DAZN PPV had all bought the broadcast rights to air the massive Riyadh clash in the UK.
Fans had to fork out £25 to watch Fury vs. Usyk, but millions of people watched the fight via an illegal stream, according to online intelligence company Yield Sec via The Daily Mail.
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20 million people illegally streamed the heavyweight battle, costing TV rights holders a staggering £95 million in lost revenue.
Yield Sec has uncovered evidence of over 2000 different streaming locations broadcasting the bout from Saudi Arabia, with 18 per cent of those watching illegally doing so from the UK.
Almost four million people watched Usyk beat Fury by split decision through an illegal stream in the UK.
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Data shows that 45 per cent of the illegal streaming took place in Europe, with 25 per cent in North America and 16 per cent in Asia.
The number of people illegally watching Fury vs. Usyk is likely to have been far HIGHER than 20 million as analysis is based on the assumption that only one person is watching each stream.
The proposed rematch between the Brit and the Ukrainian is also set to be illegally steamed by fans and could reach similar figures or even more considering the thrilling nature of Saturday's meeting.
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Speaking during his post-fight press conference, the self-proclaimed 'Gypsy King' raised doubts about his future after he suffered the first defeat of his pro career.
But promoter Frank Warren insists a rematch will take place, with a deal already in place.
"He's back here, he's recuperating, and his mood is that he wants the rematch and that's already signed for so it will happen," he revealed.
Fury vs. Usyk 2 is tentatively scheduled to take place in October and is expected to be staged in the Middle East.