Extensive boxing library is being made available through searchable online archive, IMG Replay.
Archive library IMG Replay is to digitise and market Frank Warren Boxing’s archive of more than 2,000 fights dating back over 110 years.
The archive includes Frank Bruno’s world heavyweight title win over Oliver McCall; Joe Calzaghe’s triumph over Mikel Kessler at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium; Ricky Hatton’s fight with Kosyta Tszyu; and Prince Nazeem Hamed against Kevin Kelley at Madison Square Garden.
Also included are worldwide rights to World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury’s fights with Dereck Chisora, Christian Hammer and Francesco Pianeta as well as selected fights of Mike Tyson, Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn and David Haye.
The oldest fight in the archive is the 1909 Heavyweight clash between Jack Johnson, (205 lbs) and Stanley Ketchel (170 lbs). Johnson knocked his opponent out in round 12 of 20 to retain his title.
The deal, with Queensbury Promotions, also includes future bouts with Warren’s stable of fighters.
Warren said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the expansion of the already strong relationship that exists between Queensberry Promotions and IMG. I look forward to working together to get maximum value out of what is the most extensive, high-quality boxing archive in Europe. IMG are the perfect guardians of such a rich back-catalogue of great fights and great moments.”
Tom Barnes, vice president, IMG Media, added: “Frank is recognised around the globe as one of the sport’s top boxing promoters; a role that has enabled his company Queensbury Promotions to stage some of the most exciting fights over the last few decades. Recent times have shown us how valuable archive footage is to broadcasters and clients around the world and we expect that trend to continue alongside the return of live sport.”
More than 200 fights have already been digitised, logged and are available at https://www.imgreplay.com/client/frank_warren_boxing. More fights are being added daily.