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DAZN Ultimate’s first six PPVs rated – is the $539.88 plan really worth it?

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DAZN Ultimate review graphic showing boxing glove fist bump and text 12+ pay per views one subscription

Six months after the DAZN Ultimate experiment ended, boxing fans finally have a clearer picture of what the platform says justifies the $44.99 monthly fee.

The subscription – costing $449.99 upfront or $539.88 over twelve monthly payments – was marketed as the next step in boxing’s evolution, promising access to at least twelve premium events per year.

When DAZN introduced this package, World Boxing News was already questioning how a service built on claims of ending pay-per-view could suddenly offer fans a premium tier with a price tag of more than $500 per year. The fine print only intensified the backlash, and the idea of ​​providing a year-round premium experience seemed even more ambitious when the numbers were compared to boxing’s own pay-per-view history.

Now, with the first six main fights of 2026 on the schedule, the question is no longer theoretical.

Do they really justify the cost?

Cost to fans

One thing becomes obvious from the very beginning. It’s difficult to ignore the difference between what US and UK subscribers pay.

DAZN Ultimate costs viewers in the UK the equivalent of around $33 a month – which is over ten dollars less than the price in the US – even though there is no significant difference between the events themselves.

Three of the first six cards are clearly aimed at a European audience, with American names appearing on the schedule to raise recognition around the world.

However, it is the American subscriber who pays the highest price.

If a US fan pays a monthly fee but skips the UK-specific cards, the math quickly becomes awkward. In this situation, the viewer actually pays Either way, $67.99 for a single pay-per-view moviewhich makes the value proposition increasingly complex to defend.

Promise to end PPV

DAZN originally entered boxing promising to disrupt the pay-per-view model with a cheaper subscription alternative. Over time, however, this strategy evolved into something completely different.

The platform signed contracts with promoters from across the sport and concentrated the most critical events in one service. Whether they are marked as pay-per-view or not, fans who want to catch up on the biggest fights now have no choice but to subscribe.

As the rankings below show, the bigger issue is whether there are really twelve fights per year that deserve a PPV tag at all.

Even during HBO’s golden era – when stars like Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley dominated the industry – HBO rarely hosted more than eight pay-per-view events in a single year.

This lack of truly blockbuster fights may also explain some of the unusual pairings appearing on the calendar – including the spectacle of the reigning heavyweight champion stepping into the ring with a kickboxing star. Concerns were already raised when questions were raised about whether the Moses Itauma vs. Jermaine Franklin fight could become part of the DAZN Ultimate sales, and the same issue continues to hang over the schedule even though it did not ultimately materialize.

One fight that really stands out is David Benavidez vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. A fight that probably wouldn’t have happened without the financial incentive of a premium event. Even then, the difference in weight between the two films is indicative of the promotional engineering required to justify a pay-per-view headline.

Overall, the first six fights scheduled for 2026 don’t fully justify the pay-per-view tag, especially considering Turki Alalshikh previously told fans he intended to make these types of pay-per-view fights free.

For boxing fans who want to watch these events legally, the reality is straightforward. This sport currently costs over $500 per year.

In an ideal world, the number would probably need to be closer to half that amount to represent true value.


WBN’s rating of the first six “best” DAZN events

Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson – 7/10
A high-level match between elite fighters, but still the type of fight that would traditionally headline a main network card rather than a premium standalone fight on pay-per-view.

Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios – 6/10
To appear on a pay-per-view, you need two recognizable names. When the event is centered primarily around one star, that athlete must be in form and undoubtedly worthy of attention.

Deontay Wilder vs. Derek Chisora ​​– 4/10
This fight was never considered a pay-per-view event, even when Wilder held the WBC title and Chisora ​​was closer to his peak. Fans should receive these matchups as part of their subscription.

David Benavidez vs. Zurdo Ramirez – 8/10
The only fight on the schedule that could really make a pay-per-view case – though even in the more PPV-friendly era of boxing a decade ago, it still may have struggled to justify the price tag.

Daniel Dubois vs. Fabio Wardley – 3/10
American subscribers are surely wondering why this fight counts towards their twelve annual pay-per-view subscriptions at $44.99 per month. Extremely complex to justify at this level.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven – 2/10
A fight that probably shouldn’t have happened at this point in Usyk’s career, let alone for a world title. It looks more like a $9.99 novelty than a $44.99 hit.


WBN’s overall rating of the first six “best” DAZN events

5.0/10

After six fights in the experiment, DAZN still has six months to deliver the twelve premium events promised under the Ultimate plan.

However, if the first six are a benchmark, the platform may find that filling the remaining fights with actual pay-per-view-level fights is much more complex than the marketing suggests.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Derek Chisora Predicts Early KO in Dubois vs Wardley 2 Following First Fight Canvas Drama

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"Derek Chisora Predicts Early KO in Dubois vs Wardley 2 Following First Fight Canvas Drama"

Daniel Dubois seeks a repeat victory over Fabio Wardley in their WBO heavyweight title clash on Saturday, and ahead of the action, fellow British heavyweight Derek Chisora has offered his final prediction for the bout.

Wardley was elevated to full WBO world champion in late 2025 and accepted a daring first defence against ‘Triple D’ at Co-Op Live in Manchester, who had lost his IBF title to Oleksandr Usyk in his prior outing.

Despite being floored twice in the opening three rounds, Dubois was able to bring Wardley’s reign to an early end as he bounced back to dominate proceedings, battering Wardley until referee Howard Foster waved the contest off in round 11.

Wardley absorbed an enormous amount of punishment, but he was still quick to activate his rematch clause and initiate an immediate second meeting with Dubois, in the hopes of becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Although, whilst pursuing a win that could define his career, Chisora told talkSPORT that he believes a second encounter with Dubois could turn out to be Wardley’s career finale, anticipating an early stoppage win for the reigning WBO heavyweight champion.

“I think that this is Wardley’s last fight. I don’t think that he wants to box anymore. This is his cash out.

“After three rounds, Daniel’s going to win it by knockout.”

All will be revealed when Dubois vs. Wardley II takes place this weekend at the O2 Arena in Londonwith Michael Gomez Jr set to challenge for Louie O’Doherty’s British lightweight title in the co-main event.

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Tyson Furys Advantage: The Importance of Leg Endurance in Boxing

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"Tyson Fury's Advantage: The Importance of Leg Endurance in Boxing"

Paulie Malignaggi likes Tyson Fury’s style against Anthony Joshuabut only if the Gypsy King’s legs still hold up to control range. He points out that Joshua must close the distance, yet doubts AJ has the footwork required to get there.

Fury’s movement creates the main problem. If he keeps Joshua following his lead and constantly resets AJ’s rhythm, Joshua risks spending the entire night chasing shadows instead of landing meaningful shots.

“AJ has to obviously get in close,” Malignaggi told Boxing King Media. “It’s not easy against a guy with the footing of Fury, but who knows, maybe Fury’s old legs are a little slower.”

That lingering doubt stops Paulie from locking in a definitive pick. Fury understands how to dictate distance against AJ, but executing that plan across twelve rounds takes functional wheels.

If Fury has lost a step, Joshua gets a direct route into punching range without burning energy on pursuit. AJ does not need sudden speed if Fury can no longer skip away. Joshua simply has to capitalize whenever Fury sits in the pocket.

At the same time, Malignaggi remains skeptical about Joshua’s mobility.

“I think AJ’s feet are a bit cumbersome, though. So, I think the size of the ring and things like that will also matter in the fight.”

A larger ring hands Fury extra space to glide and forces Joshua to cover real estate. A tighter ring gives AJ a clear path to trap his rival, though he must cut off the ring instead of trailing behind.

Paulie’s breakdown hinges entirely on Fury’s mobility. If the legs work, Joshua’s heavy feet could leave him swinging at air. If those legs fade, AJ suddenly finds a manageable target. Malignaggi spots the stylistic edge, but he refuses to assume Fury can still pull it off. He is analyzing a long-gone version of Tyson Fury from ten years ago, not the lumbering heavyweight who actually steps into the ring today.

That 2015 night in Düsseldorf against Wladimir Klitschko might as well belong to another century. Ever since the Usyk beatdowns, the slow-motion survival against Wach, and that labored outing against Makhmudov, Fury has looked completely grounded.

The twitch reflex is gone, the lateral bounce has vanished, and his upper-body slips look like they are running through wet cement. When heavyweight legs check out, no amount of altitude running or motivational talk in Morecambe brings them back.

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Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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Nakisa Bidarian Explains the Financial Principles Driving Canelos Commitment

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"Nakisa Bidarian Explains the Financial Principles Driving Canelo's Commitment"

Nakisa Bidarian believes Canelo Alvarez could lose his purse if he withdraws from the October 31 fight with Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, but might still get paid if the organizers cancel. His theory offers a financial explanation for Canelo’s commitment to fighting despite the security concerns.

“My read: Canelo is due a lot of money. If he pulls out he is no longer due that money. If the event is cancelled he is probably also due that money. Tough situation,” said Bidarian on X.

Turki Alalshikh says Canelo remains committed to fighting Mbilli in Riyadh following deadly attacks on the city’s international airport. Reuters reported that a Saturday strike killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with another attack on Sunday killing one person.

Bidarian’s reading gives Canelo’s willingness to proceed another possible explanation beyond the “he fears nothing” message. Under that theory, Canelo could protect his payday by remaining ready to fight and letting the organizers decide whether the event can proceed.

That would put Canelo in an awkward position. He could have concerns about traveling without wanting to formally withdraw and potentially give up a huge purse. Saying he’s available would make financial sense even if he privately preferred a postponement or a different location.

However, Bidarian hasn’t presented Canelo’s contract or identified a cancellation clause. His wording makes clear that this is his interpretation. Whether Canelo would receive payment after a cancellation remains unconfirmed.

His post also doesn’t establish that money is driving Canelo’s decision. But the public declaration that he’ll fight tells us little about the contractual consequences of refusing to travel.

There’s also an entire card to consider. Canelo saying he’s willing to fight doesn’t settle the safety and travel questions facing Mbilli, the undercard fighters, their trainers, and the event staff. They all have to get there, prepare, and work through fight week.

The organizers still have to explain how they intend to stage the event safely. Canelo’s commitment gives them a willing headliner. It doesn’t answer those questions.

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About the author

Boxing 24/7 Wire

Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

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