An All-Star cast leads DAZN’s boxing announce team

On-demand streaming service DAZN started off its U.S. invasion by picking up Bellator MMA and Matchroom Boxing. Several fights based in America will be streamed on the application. For those wanting to utilize all aspects of the service, especially for boxing, many are wondering who will be comforting them from their home. What group will be assembled to provide the best analysis possible?

It turns out DAZN signed a who’s who of sports figures to handle all things boxing. Per a press release, DAZN picked up “Sugar” Ray Leonard, Brian Kenny, Kay Adams, Chris Mannix and LZ Granderson. “Sugar” Ray and Kenny will be calling the action, while Mannix and Adams will both host the events. Granderson will handle ringside reporting. They will make their collective debut this weekend (September 22) when Anthony Joshua faces Alexander Povetkin inside Wembley Stadium in the U.K.

All of these individuals have some sort of experience in either the boxing or broadcasting world. As if he needed an introduction, “Sugar” Ray Leonard (36-3-1) is a multiple-time champion and a Hall of Famer. Working on commentary with ABC, NBC, FOX, ESPN and HBO made him an easy fit for the DAZN team.

“What DAZN is doing is very exciting for both boxing and sports media,” said Leonard. “With all of the boxing dates DAZN already has on the calendar, they are going to have me quite busy – and that’s a great thing for fight fans because it means that good fighters are staying active and taking on meaningful challenges.” 

Joining him is Brian Kenny, who worked with “Sugar” Ray during the Mayweather v. McGregor fight. Kenny has been seen and heard all over the world, most notably on MLB Network and Baseball Tonight on ESPN. Using stats to his advantage, Kenny’s preparedness cannot be denied. Not only is he covering “the big four” of sports, Kenny is well-known in the boxing community. He is a recipient of the BWAA Sam Taub Award for excellence in boxing broadcasting. Having him call the fights clearly while “Sugar” Ray provides his analysis may very well be the perfect fit for DAZN.

Hosts Mannix and Adams bring a lot of flavor to the DAZN brand. Adams hosts Good Morning Football on the NFL Network, giving her some experience with a lot of statistical data. Mannix has been synonymous with boxing for quite some time, writing about the sport for Yahoo Sports and acting as a ringside reporter for NBC, Showtime and EPIX. Heralded as some of the best in the sports industry today, a Mannix and Adams team can provide all fans with all the updates and information they can ask for.

In order to be the best, you have to hire the best. The latter comes in the form of LZ Granderson, an award-winning journalist who has covered everything from sports to politics. A CNN and The Undefeated contributor, Granderson’s diverse skillset meeting he boxing world is a test DAZN knows will succeed.

Along with ring announcer Michael Buffer, DAZN’s All-Star team can change the game of boxing forever. By freshening things up, DAZN is hoping to bring in more fans who want more in their viewing of the sport. When September 22 rolls around, we will see if DAZN lands a true knockout.