Confirmation that the BBC has signed a deal with Lennox Lewis to show his next bout in April is expected soon. This morning reports suggested that the arrangement with the world heavyweight boxing champion had been finalised, but the Corporation has since insisted that signatures were yet to be inked.
Lewis is due to meet the US’s Hasim Rahman on 21 April. If things go the BBC’s way, this will be the first time one of Lewis’ matches has been shown on terrestrial, rather than satellite television, as he currently has a fight-by-fight deal with Sky.
A more heavily anticipated match would be a clash between Lewis and controversial figure Mike Tyson. It is hoped that this could be on the cards later in the year, but is dependent on negotiations with the US TV company Tyson is tied to. If it goes ahead, it is likely that the BBC will want to compete to broadcast the match in TV and Radio 5 Live coverage.
The foundations of BBC boxing coverage have already been laid with a deal made with Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison, who has signed up to have the first two years of his professional career broadcast on the Beeb.
