Complete History, Timeline, Promoters, Landmark Fights, Archive Access and How to Watch

Key Takeaways

• Timeline: BT Sport entered major boxing broadcasting in 2017 via a landmark deal with Frank Warren and BoxNation, later rebranding to TNT Sports in July 2023.
• Major Events: The network broadcast pivotal fights including Tyson Fury’s comeback and the first Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury heavyweight clash on BT Sport Box Office.
• Rebrand: The TNT Sports transition integrated British boxing rights into Warner Bros. Discovery, moving streaming access to discovery+.
• Archive Access: Historic fights are now fragmented across TNT Sports on discovery+, the Queensberry Promotions YouTube channel, and provider-specific PPV vaults (Sky/Virgin/BT).

BT Sport launched in the United Kingdom in 2013 and moved seriously into boxing from 2017 onward. The network transformed the British boxing landscape through its agreement with Frank Warren and the BoxNation operation, created BT Sport Box Office in 2018, and delivered some of the most important fight nights shown in the United Kingdom. This included the first Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury bout on 1 December 2018 live on BT Sport Box Office.

In July 2023 BT Sport officially rebranded as TNT Sports following the joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery. The channels changed name but the boxing legacy, catalogue and production principles are all part of the new TNT Sports identity.

This article presents a complete and detailed timeline with dates, venues, promoters, broadcasters, production notes, archive information and a clear guide on exactly where to watch all BT and TNT boxing today.

---

Quick facts

• BT Group agreed to acquire ESPN United Kingdom and Ireland channels on 25 February 2013. ESPN United Kingdom closed on 1 August 2013 and BT integrated the content.
• BT Sport launched in August 2013 as a subscription sports network.
• BT Sport entered boxing with the Frank Warren and BoxNation agreement announced on 8 April 2017.
• BT Sport Box Office launched in April 2018.
• BT showed Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury on BT Sport Box Office on 1 December 2018.
• BT Sport rebranded to TNT Sports on 18 July 2023 following the joint venture announced on 21 February 2023.

---

Full Timeline

25 February 2013

BT acquires ESPN United Kingdom and Ireland channels

BT purchased ESPN United Kingdom and Ireland, allowing BT to rapidly scale sports content. ESPN United Kingdom officially ceased broadcasting on 1 August 2013 and BT absorbed the rights and programming.

August 2013

The launch of BT Sport

BT Sport One and BT Sport Two launched in August 2013, followed later by additional channels. Initially the focus was football, rugby and UFC, with boxing arriving years later.

8 April 2017

BT Sport signs its landmark boxing partnership with Frank Warren and BoxNation

BT Sport and Frank Warren announced a multi year agreement on 8 April 2017.
This deal:
• Brought Saturday night boxing to BT Sport
• Integrated BoxNation into BT packages
• Started co produced and simulcast shows between BT and BoxNation
• Created a full domestic boxing pipeline from Queensberry Promotions

This partnership introduced dozens of United Kingdom fight nights every year.

April 2018

Launch of BT Sport Box Office

BT Sport introduced BT Sport Box Office, its pay per view service. This allowed premium fight nights to be sold directly to United Kingdom viewers on BT TV, Sky and Virgin Media.

9 June 2018

Tyson Fury returns vs Sefer Seferi at Manchester Arena live on BT Sport

Tyson Fury fought Sefer Seferi at Manchester Arena on 9 June 2018.
Broadcast details:
• Live on BT Sport One
• Also shown on BT Sport Ultimate in 4K
Fury won by corner retirement after round four.

1 December 2018

Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury One, Staples Center Los Angeles
Shown on BT Sport Box Office in the United Kingdom

The first Wilder vs Fury fight ended in a split draw.
This was one of the biggest ever BT Sport Box Office events.

2019 to 2021

Expansion years

During this period BT Sport:
• Broadcast a wide range of Queensberry events
• Co produced shows with BoxNation
• Added international boxing cards
• Entered shared broadcast arrangements including a 2020 collaboration with ITV for selected Warren cards
• Enhanced 4K and HDR output with BT Sport Ultimate

21 February 2023 to 18 July 2023

The transition to TNT Sports

On 21 February 2023 BT and Warner Bros Discovery announced a joint sports venture.
On 18 July 2023 BT Sport formally rebranded as TNT Sports.
The rebrand aligned all BT sports rights with the global TNT identity and moved digital streaming onto discovery plus.

---

Promoters and Partnerships

Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions

• Primary partner
• Multi year agreement announced 8 April 2017
• Produced extensive Saturday night boxing
• Queensberry and BoxNation provided the majority of BT boxing during 2017 to 2022

BoxNation

BoxNation content was bundled into BT following the April 2017 agreement. The channel contributed archive material, shoulder programming and additional live fights.

ITV Co Productions

In February 2020 BT Sport and ITV entered a cooperative broadcast arrangement for selected Frank Warren events, expanding the exposure of Queensberry fighters.

Occasional promoter collaborations

Although Frank Warren was the central partner, BT also carried:
• Selected cards involving international promoters
• UK pay per view nights involving major United States promoters including Premier Boxing Champions when UK rights were held by BT Box Office
• Co promoted fights where rights holders split distribution across multiple regions

---

Landmark BT and TNT Broadcast Fights

Tyson Fury vs Sefer Seferi

9 June 2018, Manchester Arena
Live on BT Sport One and BT Sport Ultimate
Result: Fury win, round four corner retirement

Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury One

1 December 2018, Staples Center Los Angeles
United Kingdom broadcast: BT Sport Box Office
Result: Split draw
Significance: One of the biggest PPV events in BT Sport history

Additional Queensberry Events 2017 to 2022

Examples include:
• Terry Flanagan title defenses
• Carl Frampton headline cards
• Liam Smith domestic and European fight nights
• Nicola Adams professional debut events
• Multiple British, Commonwealth and European title shows of the era

Wilder vs Fury Rematch Series (United Kingdom rights vary by fight)

BT Sport Box Office handled several of the United Kingdom PPV distributions of the Wilder vs Fury sequence depending on rights agreements in each year.

---

Production and Broadcast Style

BT and TNT production included:

• High definition multi camera coverage
• Full studio build up shows
• On site commentary teams and weigh in broadcasts
• BT Sport Ultimate offering full 4K HDR presentation for many events
• Integrated pay per view systems through BT TV, Sky and Virgin Media
• Co production with BoxNation leveraging its boxing expertise

---

Archive and Library Access

A definitive and exact guide

Because boxing rights are fragmented, BT and TNT boxing footage lives across several locations. These are the exact places to access content:

1. TNT Sports on discovery plus (United Kingdom and Ireland)

This is the official streaming home for TNT Sports.
Content includes:
• Live TNT boxing
• TNT on demand replays for rights owned by TNT
• Selected BT legacy broadcasts where TNT retains the rights

Access methods:
• discovery plus subscription with TNT Sports add on
• BT TV packages
• EE TV packages
• Sky TV packages that include TNT Sports
• Virgin Media packages that include TNT Sports

2. BT Sport Box Office PPV recordings

Past BT Sport Box Office events may appear for limited replay periods on:
• BT TV
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• TNT Sports on demand when rights remain active

Access depends entirely on promoter licensing rules.

3. Queensberry and BoxNation archives

Many fights that aired on BT were actually produced by Queensberry or BoxNation.
These archives appear on:
• Official Queensberry YouTube channel
• Official BoxNation YouTube uploads
• Frank Warren and Queensberry digital platforms
• Licensed documentary and highlight content on TNT Sports

4. Official YouTube channels

A large portion of highlights and full fights appear on:
• Queensberry Promotions official YouTube
• Fighters official channels
• Promoter upload channels carrying BoxNation legacy content

5. International broadcaster archives

Some BT aired fights have separate rights in the United States and international regions through:
• Showtime
• ESPN
• DAZN
• Other distributors depending on the promoter

---

How to Watch BT and TNT Boxing Today

1. TNT Sports via discovery plus

Subscribe to discovery plus with the TNT Sports add on. This provides:
• Live TNT boxing
• On demand replays
• Access to TNT Sports channels on your device

2. Watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky or Virgin

TNT Sports is included in packages on:
• BT TV
• EE TV
• Sky TV
• Virgin Media TV

3. Rewatch BT Sport Box Office events

Check the PPV vault on:
• BT TV
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• TNT Sports on demand pages

4. Promoter controlled uploads

For older fights search:
• Queensberry YouTube
• BoxNation archives
• Frank Warren controlled platforms

5. United States and international broadcasts

Depending on rights holders you may find past BT fights on Showtime, ESPN Plus or DAZN if the promoter sold them internationally.

---

How to Watch BT and TNT Boxing Today

1. TNT Sports via discovery plus

Subscribe to discovery plus with the TNT Sports add on. This provides:
• Live TNT boxing
• On demand replays
• Access to TNT Sports channels on your device

2. Watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky or Virgin

TNT Sports is included in packages on:
• BT TV
• EE TV
• Sky TV
• Virgin Media TV

3. Rewatch BT Sport Box Office events

Check the PPV vault on:
• BT TV
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• TNT Sports on demand pages

4. Promoter controlled uploads

For older fights search:
• Queensberry YouTube
• BoxNation archives
• Frank Warren controlled platforms

5. United States and international broadcasts

Depending on rights holders you may find past BT fights on Showtime, ESPN Plus or DAZN if the promoter sold them internationally.

BT Sport transformed itself into a major British boxing broadcaster after the 2017 Frank Warren and BoxNation alliance. The network delivered Tyson Fury’s 2018 comeback, the first Wilder vs Fury bout on BT Sport Box Office, and many domestic headliners. The rebrand to TNT Sports in July 2023 brought the catalogue under the Warner Bros Discovery structure and moved the main streaming presence to discovery plus. Fans today can find content on TNT Sports, discovery plus, PPV vaults and promoter controlled archives.