With the COVID-19 pandemic still in the air, the best that promotions can do is try to rack in revenue from streaming live events. A number of them have taken place, the last of which was that clash between Canelo Alvarez and Callum Smith.
Most know already that Alvarez won that fight in dominant fashion. But the only way to view it is if one subscribes to DAZN’s streaming service. That required a membership fee to join.
A monthly subscription is worth $USD19.99 while an annual deal is $USD99.99 and the fight was even available on pay-per-view for $USD69.99 with an additional four-month subscription.
But in the technology age, most know that there are people who find ways to stream live events illegally. Social media platforms have found a way to help out companies as DAZN, branding them as illegal. However, one of those singled out for illegally streaming the Alvarez vs. Smith fight is Sergey Kovalev.
According to The Athletic, DAZN is considering taking action on the Russian boxer who hosted an illegal live stream of the main event. If action is taken, the relationship of the promotion with the 37-year-old pug could be in jeopardy.
“Executives at the streaming service, sources said, were alarmed and extremely frustrated by Kovalev’s brazen behaviour,” Mike Coppinger of The Athletic wrote.
The side of Kovalev has yet to comment on the matter. Complicating matters is that Kovalev is set to fight Bektemir Melikuziev on DAZN on January 30.
Sources: DAZN could take action against Sergey Kovalev after he hosted an illegal stream of the Canelo-Smith fight on Instagram Live. It attracted over 2,500 concurrent viewers at peak. Kovalev’s next bout actually on DAZN: Jan. 30 vs. Bektemir Melikuzievhttps://t.co/awt2bu3cbV — Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) December 24, 2020
Ironically, Kovalev’s last fight was against Alvarez on Nov. 2, 2019. Alvarez won via knockout in the 11th round in the fight held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Kovalev also lost the WBO lightweight title in the process.
As for Alvarez, the Mexican is reportedly fighting again in February and will face Avni Yildirim. The Turkish fighter is the mandatory challenger to Alvarez’s WBC title and gave way to Smith.
According to WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, Yildirim would be facing whoever won last Dec. 19 for the title. The 29-year-old is a heavy underdog against the Mexican although his side vows they will come out with a better showing compared to Smith.
From there, it will be interesting what Alvarez plans to do next. A third fight with Gennady Golovkin has been suggested but talks have made little progress.
Golovkin also fought recently via DAZN, disposing Polis challenger Kamil Szeremeta in seven rounds.
