Fox Sports Secures Rights To WBC Boxing Tournament

FOX Sports has secured multi-platform rights to newly created World Boxing Council (WBC) international boxing tournament.

Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Deportes will air fights from the 24-card WBC World Cup of Professional Boxing tournament beginning Oct. 8, said network officials. The elimination-style tournament will pit fighters across ten related intercontinental federations in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and heavyweight divisions. The fights will take place in the U.S., Mexico and four as yet determined international venues, .

The deal also covers live streaming rights, as well as on-demand, web and mobile clips via FOXSports.com, FOXSportsGO or any other FOX Sports digital platform, according to Fox Sports.

"This is a great opportunity to partner with the WBC on what we expect will be an incredibly competitive series of events," said Joshua Glassel, Fox Sports vice president of programming & acquisitions in a statement. "Some of the best fighters from around the globe fighting their way through a 'World Cup' format certainly has the makings for compelling sports television, and Fox Sports is excited to be a part of this ambitious project from the beginning."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.