20 MILLION people illegally streamed Oleksandr Usyk’s historic undisputed heavyweight win over Tyson Fury costing rights holders £95m – with 18 per cent from the UK

Oleksandr Usyk‘s historic world heavyweight championship victory over Tyson Fury last weekend was watched by at least 20 million using illegal streams costing TV rights holders around £95m in lost revenue.

Analysis conducted by online intelligence company Yield Sec for Mail Sport has uncovered evidence of over 2000 different streaming locations broadcasting the fight from Riyadh, with 18 per cent of those watching illegally doing so from the UK.

Sky Sports, TNT Sport and DAZN all bought the rights to broadcast the first undisputed world heavyweight clash for 25 on their pay-per-view channels, but millions of boxing fans chose to avoid paying the 25pound fee and instead watched the fight illegally.

Almost four million people viewed an illegal stream of Usyk’s split points decision victory on Saturday in the UK.

Yield Sec’s analysis shows that 45 per cent of the illegal streaming took place in Europe, with 25 per cent in north America and 16 per cent in Asia.

Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999
+2

Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999


+2

Usyk won the fight by split decision after an entertaining clash between the two heavyweights that saw both enjoy periods of dominance in the ring

Many of the illegal streams are funded by advertisements for gambling and/or crypto schemes, while some charge a small fee averaging less than £1.

The number of people watching the fight illegally is likely to have been far higher than 20 million, as Yield Sec’s analysis is based on the assumption that only one person is watching each stream.

The company define one illegal stream view as more than 90 seconds spent watching the fight.

The figures for illegal viewing of Usyk v Fury are among the highest ever recorded for any sporting event, with 36 times more people watching than for the Anthony Joshua v Ngannou heavyweight clash in March.

A DAZN spokesman told Mail Sport: ‘Sports piracy is theft. DAZN invests a significant amount in combatting it, using technology to monitor the activity of users, and educating fans about the risks.

‘It may seem a victimless crime, but most illegal feeds are provided by criminal networks or carry the risk of phishing and identity theft. Our advice is don’t risk the sport you care about, or your own data, by using illegal feeds.’

Related Posts

Keanu Reeves notices a pregnant waitress working hard at a restaurant, and his immediate action will shock you.

Keanu Reeves notices a pregnant waitress working hard at a restaurant, and his immediate action will shock you. Keanu Reeves discovers a pregnant waitress working hard in…

SHOCK: Travis Kelce reveals the real reason for delay in marrying Taylor Swift – blames it all on his mother

SHOCK: Travis Kelce reveals the real reason for delay in marrying Taylor Swift – blames it all on his mother SHOCK: Travis Kelce reveals the real reason…

Black Waitress Serves Patrick Mahomes, Saw Note on Check, and Burst into Tears.

Black Waitress Serves Patrick Mahomes, Saw Note on Check, and Burst into Tears. One weekend afternoon, Patrick Mahomes decided to spend some time shopping at Whole Foods…

Heavily Pregnant Olympic legend Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, announced the arrival of their baby boy! The couple, who have been eagerly anticipating their first child, shared heartwarming photos of their newborn from a hospital in Houston, Texas, as they also Joyfully announce the name of their new arrival… See More Details Below..

Heavily Pregnant Olympic legend Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, announced the arrival of their baby boy! The couple, who have been eagerly anticipating their first…

About 30 minutes ago Heavily Pregnant Olympic legend Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, announced the arrival of their baby boy! The couple, who have been eagerly anticipating their first child, shared heartwarming photos of their newborn from a hospital in Houston, Texas, as they also Joyfully announce the name of their new arrival…

About 30 minutes ago Heavily Pregnant Olympic legend Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, announced the arrival of their baby boy! The couple, who have been…

Taylor Swift Hears a Homeless Man Playing Guitar – What Happened Next Will Leave You in Tears

Taylor Swift Hears a Homeless Man Playing Guitar – What Happened Next Will Leave You in Tears Taylor Swift Stops for a Homeless Musician – What She…