ABU DHABI // Boxing fans who are signed up to du TV will be able to watch "the fight of the century" live, and for free.
Subscribers with local carrier du will be able to watch the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr take on 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao free-of-charge when the two meet next week in what is being billed as one of the biggest boxing matches of all time.
“It’s free and it’s at no extra cost,” said a du spokesperson on Tuesday.
The company said its subscribers can watch the fight - which airs live at 5am on Sunday - on du TV and online using their smartphones or tablets.
“Live from the MGM Grand, the blow-by-blow action is mainly available on pay-per-view to millions of viewers around the world. Not so for du home customers as they can watch the uninterrupted action with any du television package, just by tuning into channel 500 or by using the du View application,” the company said.
After making the announcement, du customers and boxing fans took to Twitter in support of the company’s move, but also drew out some complaints from those who subscribe with the company’s competitors.
“While du’s gesture is a perfect example of putting the customer first, as an Etisalat customer I’m frustrated by losing out twice,” said Saadiayat Island resident Alex Malouf, 35.
“Firstly, on the ability to take up watching the fight for free. Secondly, by not having the ability to choose my broadband provider.”
Despite not being directly offered the deal, he said he still be able to catch the fight for free with a friend who is a du customer.
“I’ll be cheering on Manny,” he said.
Etisalat subscriber and Abu Dhabi resident Kim Estrada Sullano, 33, said he can also catch the fight for free, as a number of his friends subscribe with the du.
“Manny will win, or it might be a draw,” he predicted.
Etisalat announced on its website it will be showing the fight live on pay per view for Dh125, with replays throughout the same day.
TV network OSN will also be airing the fight live from Las Vegas along with three replays for Dh125.
esamoglou@thenational.ae