Saunders-Murray Middleweight Title Bout to be Broadcast on ESPN+
*(May 10, 2018)* — A middleweight title will be at stake on Saturday, June
23, live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+ — the
recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming
service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International
segment, in partnership with ESPN
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.
From the O2 Arena in London, Billy Joe Saunders will defend the World
Boxing Organization (WBO) middleweight title against veteran Martin Murray,
undefeated heavyweight sensation Daniel Dubois (7-0, 7 KOs) will take on
Tom Little for the vacant British title, and unbeaten light heavyweight
Anthony Yarde (15-0, 14 KOs) will face an opponent to be named.
Saunders-Murray coverage will start at 5 p.m. ET, while undercard action
will be shown beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
“I’m delighted that the WBO middleweight world title showdown between Billy
Joe Saunders and Martin Murray will be shown live in the United States on
ESPN+,” said Frank Warren, the event’s promoter. “I’d like to thank Bob
Arum and Todd duBoef of Top Rank for making this happen. There’s a lot on
the line for Billy Joe and Martin and I’m predicting a brilliant fight for
the fans. This is a brilliant opportunity for our young guns Daniel Dubois
and Anthony Yarde to showcase their skills to the American audience.”
Saunders (26-0, 12 KOs) will be making the fourth defense of his world
title against Murray (36-4-1, 17 KOs,), a four-time world title challenger
riding a three-bout winning streak. Saunders won the world title with a
majority decision over Andy Lee on Dec. 19, 2015 in Manchester, England and
has gone the distance in each of his title defenses.
In his last bout, on December 16 of last year, he put on a boxing clinic in
befuddling the hard-punching David Lemieux en route to a clear unanimous
decision. Saunders possesses the only middleweight world title not held by
Gennady Golovkin.
Murray, who lost a split decision to Arthur Abraham for the WBO super
middleweight title in November 2015, has had three previous cracks at
middleweight world titles. He was held to a controversial draw against
Felix Sturm for the WBA crown in 2011, lost a disputed unanimous decision
to WBC champion Sergio Martinez in 2013, and was knocked out in the 11th
round by unified champion Golovkin on Feb. 21, 2015 in Monte Carlo.
The ESPN App and ESPN+ are available on mobile and TV-connected devices and
on ESPN.com. The new ESPN App with ESPN+ are available on devices and
platforms including Amazon (Fire TV, Fire Stick, Fire Smart TVs, Fire
tablets), Android (Android phones, Android TV), Apple (iPhone, iPad, Apple
TV and supported in the Apple TV App
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*)*, Chromecast and Roku.
