WEST Belfast MP Paul Maskey has called on Irish broadcaster RTÉ to make boxer Katie Taylor's historic final fight available to watch for viewers in the North.
The national broadcaster had secured the rights to broadcast the huge Croke Park event in Ireland via RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, with 2FM providing live radio commentary.
However, those rights only cover the 26 counties, as subscription-based streaming platform DAZN have the rights to broadcast the fight worldwide – including the UK.
That means the familiar issue of geo-blocking will frustrate many boxing fans who hoped to watch RTÉ’s coverage on Saturday night when Irish boxing’s golden girl takes on Flora Pili in an historic undisputed super-lightweight title fight.
Belfast boxers Tyrone McKenna and Paddy Gallagher are also among the fighters on the Croke Park undercard, with McKenna taking on Paddy Donovan in the chief support bout and Gallagher continuing his ring comeback against Dubliner Paul Ryan. Also West Belfast ref David Irving will be the man in the middle during the Katie Taylor Flora Pili bout.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said: “It is completely unacceptable that citizens in the North will once again be subject to ‘geo-blocking’ by RTÉ.
“Katie Taylor is an inspiration to many right across this island, and they rightly want to watch her final fight in the historic Croke Park on Saturday.
“I am calling on RTÉ to immediately reverse this decision and stop treating northern citizens with contempt.”
