On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the global boxing community turned its attention to DAZN for an action-packed evening of combat sports that stretched across time zones and weight classes. The centerpiece was the much-anticipated “Ring of Thrones” card, broadcast live from the AO Arena in Manchester, England. Headlined by the professional boxing clash between former UFC middleweight contender Darren Till and ex-UFC champion Luke Rockhold, the event blended traditional pugilism with the theatrics of crossover combat, appealing to fans from multiple combat disciplines.
Darren Till, who has steadily built his boxing credentials since departing the UFC, entered the ring with a clear mission: to claim the inaugural Misfits Boxing bridgerweight title. His opponent, Luke Rockhold, was making his professional boxing debut after a storied career in mixed martial arts. The tension between the two former MMA fighters had been building for weeks, and by the time they met under the bright lights of the Manchester arena, anticipation had reached a fever pitch. Till ultimately prevailed in a gritty, bruising contest that showcased both fighters’ power and ring intelligence. The bout highlighted the ongoing trend of MMA fighters transitioning into boxing, often bringing with them large fan bases and a unique fighting style.
The undercard for “Ring of Thrones” was equally star-studded and diverse. Salt Papi, the social media sensation turned legitimate boxing contender, took on Tony Ferguson, another MMA veteran with a cult following. Ferguson, looking for redemption after a string of losses in the octagon, demonstrated sharp hands and resilience but ultimately fell short against Papi’s speed and timing. The bout was a reminder that while name recognition brings viewers, skill and adaptation still determine success in the ring.
Also featured on the card was Dillon Danis, who returned to the cage in a rare sanctioned MMA bout, facing off against Warren Spencer. The inclusion of this match in an otherwise boxing-focused event reflected Misfits Boxing’s hybrid model, which increasingly blurs the lines between combat sports formats. Rising prospects like Ty Mitchell and Carla Jade also had their moments under the spotlight, with Jade successfully defending her lightweight belt in a hard-fought decision win.
What set the August 30 broadcast apart was its global scope. Early in the day, DAZN aired “Battle of Bangkok,” a heavyweight championship fight between Italy’s Alessio Bisutti and Australia’s John Napari. Fighting for the vacant UBO World Heavyweight title, Bisutti entered the bout as a favorite, known for his knockout power and aggressive style. Napari, however, brought his own set of tools—speed, agility, and an unrelenting jab. The bout lived up to its billing, with both fighters trading heavy shots before Bisutti secured a stoppage victory in the later rounds. The win elevated Bisutti’s profile on the international stage and underscored DAZN’s efforts to expand its reach into emerging boxing markets like Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Pulse Boxing presented a deep card from Toledo, Ohio, where lightweight contender Albert Bell squared off against Keith Hunter in a main event that highlighted Bell’s continued ascent in the division. Fighting in front of a hometown crowd, Bell delivered a clinical performance, controlling the tempo with his jab and precise combinations. The Pulse Boxing card featured a total of 16 matchups, offering a platform for regional fighters and up-and-coming prospects looking to break into the national conversation.
The convergence of these events on a single Saturday demonstrated how DAZN has positioned itself at the forefront of the boxing streaming revolution. By curating a schedule that featured established stars, viral personalities, and international title fights, DAZN catered to a wide array of fans. For traditionalists, the technical battles and championship stakes offered substance. For newer viewers, the celebrity matchups and crossover appeal added spectacle.
August 30, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark date for modern boxing—a day when the sport’s evolving identity was fully on display. Whether drawn by the brute force of Darren Till, the flair of Salt Papi, the rise of Alessio Bisutti, or the precision of Albert Bell, fans were treated to a spectacle that blended entertainment and athleticism across continents and styles.
