Sky customers upset that the boxing fight between Sonny Bill Williams and Frans Botha was unexpectedly cut short from 12 to 10 rounds have been offered a free pay-per-view movie by the pay TV broadcaster.
"It's our way of acknowledging that things didn't go quite as we expected and we want you to know that we understand that, so please enjoy a movie of your choice on us," a letter to customers said.
Sky didn't have a role in producing the event and elements such as the length of the fight were out of its control; however, it is understood some customers were "not completely satisfied", the letter said.
Sky sold the fight on its pay-per-view platform for $39.99. With around 20,000 customers having purchased the fight, the free movie compensation package is worth about $160,000.
Having been advertised as a 12-round title fight, the February 8 bout ended in controversial circumstances after just 10 rounds. Williams won the fight on points; however, had it gone on any longer it appeared likely he would have been knocked out by his 44-year-old opponent.
Betting agencies in Australia and New Zealand refunded some wagers on the fight.
- Steve Deane of the NZ Herald
