21 January 2023 , 09:00
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Boxing fans in Britain have been warned they could face prison if caught illegally streaming pay-per-view fights - in a new police crackdown.
Police are clamping down on sports fans illegally watching live, pay-per-view events, like Saturday night's middleweight fight between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Smith.
Sky Sports Box Office is showcasing the grudge match, with the price for the first big British boxing card of the year set at £19.95.
And new technology now enables sports' right holders and broadcasters to trace the unique IP addresses of users illegally streaming the fight - for up to six months.
Cars driving across the UK have also been fitted with tracking devices as police identify the households illegally streaming live events as part of the crackdown.
Gerwyn Price left red-faced after wearing ear defenders to block fans out
Eubank Jr's hotly-anticipated bout with Smith will headline a stacked card at the Manchester AO Arena on Saturday night.
The duo will finally settle a long-running feud, with the fire stoked at an ugly press conference on Thursday - with the duo embroiled in a fiery spat. Smith made a homophobic taunt as he questioned Eubank Jr's sexuality, while Eubank Jr responded with taunts about the Liverpudlian's marriage and the city of his birth.
And the pair will both be desperate to claim an important win as they plot a route to a world title shot in the future.
But streaming providers and boxing fans that choose to illegally stream the fight face severe punishment with authorities taking major action against anti-piracy.
Those streaming the fight illegally have been warned the could face severe punishment (PA)This comes amid fresh efforts to stop supporters watching illegal streams via Fire Sticks and other modified boxes. Last week, FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) confirmed they would joining police forces across the country to visit up to 1,000 households known to have an illegal streaming service.
Those who receive a knock on the door - without warning - could be given notices, ordered to stop watching sports illegally and given warnings of more serious punishments as part of the huge ongoing operation.
The popularity of unauthorised streaming is said to be on the rise, with two people jailed for viewing illegal streams in 2021. And in 2019, a man was sentenced to seven years in jail for providing illegal streams of Premier League football matches.