Errol Spence vs Shawn Porter live stream: Free links to watch welterweight fight spread online amid piracy crisis
Boxing fans will seek pirated streams on social media sites though experts warn there are major hidden risks
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IBF Champion Errol Spence Jr is set to take on WBC Champion Shawn Porter in a welterweight fight that will unite the boxing division.
The bout will be available on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, and on Fox Sports Pay-Per-View in the US.
However, some may be tempted to turn to illegal streams.
LIVE: FOLLOW UPDATES OF SPENCE VS PORTER
A recent report from the Industry Trust for IP Awareness, the UK's film, TV and video industry's consumer education body, revealed the extent of online piracy when it came to major sporting events, with figures suggesting illegal streaming has hit "peak levels" in 2019.
Major boxing contests in recent months have seen free live streams spread across the internet in the build-up to the fight, with pirated links shared across social media platforms. Countless pirated streams also appear on major search engines.
June's heavyweight fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz saw over 13 million people around the world use unauthorised channels to watch the upset, according to figures from digital piracy authority Muso.
The increased levels have led industry figures to warn of the "very real risks" to people seeking out pirated online streams of the fight.
While many pirate sites seek to generate revenue through their illegal streams by hosting numerous pop-up ads to their websites, some look to underhand methods of gaining even more illicit income.
These tactics range from malware that hijacks a person's computer in order to secretly mine cryptocurrency, to sophisticated phishing attacks designed to steal a person's credit card details.
“Fake sites and redirects are a popular tactic used by cyber criminals and the fans paying to watch tonight’s match need to be aware of them, even if they look legitimate," Joseph Woodruff, a threat intelligence analyst at cyber security firm EclecticIQ, told The Independent.
"Cyber criminals use these sites to target users by telling them they have malware on their machine, recommending they call a support number and during the phone call, installing software which allows them into the system. It’s from here that other damage can be done, whether that is stealing payment details or installing ransomware."
Round one: Barrios 10-9 Akhmedov
Barrios took his time in that one and is letting his feet, height and reach do the work. Akhmedov being the aggressor but isn't landing much.
Not much landed but the better work from Barrios, so he edges that one.
Round two: Barrios 20-18 Akhmedov
Not much in that one but Barrios again is popping his jab out nicely and not letting Akhmedov get any clean work in.
Round three: Barrios 10-27 Akhmedov
More of the same in that one, this is just a fight about distance. Pretty 'regular'* stuff out here.
*let me know if you got that one in the comments.
Round four: Barrios 40-35 Akhmedov
Ooooh, finally some action in this one.
Barrios has Akhmedov hurt early in the round with a big right and puts him down a few seconds later!
Barrios takes his time and gets back behind the jab, realising it was only a glove touch knockdown. Akhmedov somewhat regains his composure.
Round five: Barrios 49-45 Akhmedov
More of a trading round there, Barrios not really moving his feet as well as before and Akhmedov is landing plenty of clean unches of his own. I'll give him that round for sure.
Round six: Barrios 58-55 Akhmedov
I give that one to Akhmedov again, who has closed the range really nicely now and is moving his feet much better. Barrios seems tired and is now taking shots to try and let his own off.
Round seven: Barrios 67-65 Akhmedov
Akhmedov is doing some really nice work on the inside, working the body nice and low, and has cut the left eye of Barrios. He's now targeting that.
Another round Akhmedov as the gap closes on my card.
Round eight: Barrios 76-75 Akhmedov
Some real swagger from Akhmedov now who is timing his punches almost to perfection, Barrios pops his jab back out a couple of times but just isn't moving the way he was in the early stages.
The tide is turning...
Round nine: Barrios 86-85 Akhmedov
BETTER from Barrios! Finally. I have to give that one a 10-10 as both men landed well, Barrios popped off his jab nicely but Akhmedov still managed to get inside.
Can see this one going on to being a draw...
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