YouTube fights show Boxing is struggling right now
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YouTube celebrities transitioning into boxing appears to be here to stay. Last year, Logan Paul and KSI headlined a card on DAZN, which had world champions Billy Joe Saunders and Devin Haney on the undercard.
Tonight, two more viral superstars will go head-to-head as Jake Paul faces AnEsonGib on a Matchroom show taking place in Miami, Florida. The card will be headlined by Demetrius Andrade vs. Luke Keeler and also feature the likes of Tevin Farmer, Joseph Diaz, Amanda Serrano, and Danny Roman.
Money Problems
Whilst boxing promoter Eddie Hearn will spin these fights as bringing new eyes to the sport, the reality is they are money grabs. Two years of serious investment in the from DAZN has clearly took its toll. Saul βCaneloβ Alvarez is currently on the biggest contract in history with $365m guaranteed over 11 fights. The streaming giant is clearly trying to recoup some of their outlay with these types of fights. Expect YouTube bouts to die off if/when the company moves from the red and back into the black. For the meantime, boxing fans are stuck with this weird mix of world class boxing and untrained novices on the same cards.
Lacking Stars
Part of the problem in boxing right now is the serious lack of stars. Beyond the likes of βCaneloβ, Gennady Golovkin and the stacked heavyweight division, there really isnβt anyone else. Whilst their boxing credentials are dubious at best, you certainly canβt question the pulling power of these internet celebrities. Whatever they do, fans will watch. So, in someway boxing is quite fortunate that they have chosen to shine a light on the sport. Although some will see this as negative attention, it does give fighters a chance to reach a new audience. However, it remains to be seen if any of these YouTube followers will actually switch to boxing in the long term.
Inability To Make Big Fights
Boxing politics is causing serious harm to the sport and its future. The biggest and best fights seem almost impossible to make with various governing bodies, rival promotions and TV networks getting in the way. Even if they are made, it is often several years after fans had initially called for the fight. Whilst it may build anticipation for some, these delays are more likely to turn fans off. This inability to make the best fights shows no sign of going away anytime soon. Boxing is in a tough spot when the only big fights they can make is between two celebs who have no background in the sport.
Whilst these types of bouts remain, you can be sure boxing is not in a great place. Despite their lack of talent, Jake Paul and AnEsonGib are undoubtedly the biggest attraction for tonightβs card in Miami. The sad state of affairs the sport finds itself in must be rectified moving forward.
Boxing promoters, governing bodies and TV networks must come together to create big fights, and in turn more athletes into stars. If not, boxing ultimately faces extinction with various alternative fighting sports beginning to emerge.
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