Super 8 to Screen Live on Sky Sport 1

Super 8 to Screen Live on Sky Sport 1

SKY Television and VS LIVE are pleased to announce SUPER 8 will be available on SKY SPORT 1 free to SKY SPORT subscribers and active FAN PASS users via live stream on November 3rd.

The boxing showcase, LIVE AT SKYCITY Auckland on November 3rd, will be screened live on SKY SPORT 1 from 7 PM.

The event features New Zealand's hottest heavyweight prospect, Hemi Ahio, Monty Betham and controversial NSW NRL captain, Paul Gallen in a professional bout with Warrior's enforcer Bodene Thompson.

The knock out format also returns, with two four-man tournaments, at light heavy and cruiser weight, boasting New Zealand's top talent in both divisions, including a mouthwatering potential match up between Robert Berridge and Reece Papuni.

With cruiserweight king, Israel Adesanya also back to defend his crown, the night promises the explosive, edge of your seat excitement that has become SUPER 8's trademark.

The event is also raising money for Kidscan and The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation via a charity bout between Shortland Street villainess, Bree Peters and straight taking bachelorette, Lisa O'Loughlin.

Previously, SUPER 8 has only been available via pay-per-view on SKY ARENA and the shift to SKY SPORT is a welcome move for boxing fans, making it available to a far broader audience.

The move follows a trend in international combat sports to showcase talent on a non-pay-per-view basis. It has been driven by new promotions and event company, VS LIVE which is managed by John McRae, one of the original founders of Duco Events.

The former SKY ARENA Limited was a joint venture events company owned by SKY and VADR. Recently VADR took full ownership and re-launched as VS LIVE. SKY ARENA remains the pay-per-view events brand of SKY.

Since the change, VS LIVE has expanded into Australia and grown it's portfolio of events from pay-per-view to include online and free-to-air programming.

McRae is pleased with the latest development and sees it as beneficial for boxing and combat sports as a whole.

"VS LIVE will continue to provide pay-per-view events but have made this product available a wider audience."

"SUPER 8 was developed to showcase new talent and the short format introduced to appeal to casual fans. We've proven very successful in achieving both goals."

"However, Tua vs Cameron for example, was the biggest PPV event in New Zealand history, but they didn't build their audience on pay-per-view. That success was built on showcasing their talents free to air.

"So it makes sense to make the move to SKY SPORT. It's a win-win for fighters, the broadcaster, sponsors and viewers and most importantly, fosters the growth of boxing in New Zealand."

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