Influencer Boxing has had a big rise to fame with the likes of internet personalities and social influencers challenging themselves to get in the ring. KSI and Jake Paul have received the most interest and popularity in this industry, boxing professional athletes such as Joe Fournier, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz and of course Tommy Fury. Let’s have a look at the current state Influencer Boxing to see if it may finally come to an end or resume.
Many internet personalities who have been in the Influencer Boxing scene such as King Kenny, Anthony Taylor, Salt Papi, Slim Albaher and AnEsonGib have gained more popularity and fame compared to when they were Youtubers or streamers.
When it comes PPV Buys and popularity, Influencer Boxing has proven to shine and have its rise to fame. Fans and viewers have clearly been tempted to purchase PPV’s for these certain events.
The first big Influencer boxing PPV came when KSI and Logan Paul first fought each other in 2018 as it received a total of 1.3 million PPV Buys. The rematch would see even more attraction though as it received a whopping 2 million PPV Buys, making it the fifth most PPV purchases for a boxing match. Logan Paul would face Floyd Mayweather in an Exhibition match which received 1 million PPV Buys before Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury would secure 800,000 PPV purchases.
The most recent event, Misfits 010 ‘The Prime Card’, has currently received 1.2million PPV Buys as Influencer Boxing has proved to stay entertaining and show a large attraction for over five years.
During the Co-Main Event, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis would fight for six rounds in what could be seen as a joke of the sport. This would be mainly on Dillon’s behalf by putting his guard up the entire fight whilst attempting to take Logan down and try use a submission move which are clearly deemed as illegal in Boxing.
The fight would end in a disqualification victory for Logan after Danis attempted to use a submission move before security would crowd the ring.
KSI and Tommy Fury were set to box each other for six rounds in what was seen as one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The fight could only be described as tedious or dull due to the two opponents mostly clinching with each other for six rounds.
Tommy Fury would be the successful competitor at the end of the fight winning by Majority Decision, the result would change to a Unanimous Decision, which did not settle well for KSI as he shared his ferocity on the microphone during his post-fight interview.
“Robbery! How many jabs did he land? … I’m the Youtuber, you’re the boxer. I understand you have to win.” KSI said.
Despite the possibly controversial victory in the main event being a high talking point, it was more of the fact that people were disappointed with the event as it did not live up to the expectations.
Fighters were not shy to express their feelings on the Boxing event, mainly the two main events, as retired UFC fighters Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Jorge Masvidal wrote on Twitter saying “This is a disgrace to boxing” and “Never watching YouTube boxing again” as they were clearly disappointed by what they saw.
With the impressive achievement of selling 1.2 million PPV’s for the event, many subscribers and viewers will not feel happy to have paid a lot of money to watch the event. DAZN sold the PPV for £19.99 for UK viewers whilst USA spectators would have to pay $54.99 for the event.
Fighters were not shy to express their feelings on the Boxing event, mainly the two main events, as retired UFC fighters Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Jorge Masvidal wrote on Twitter saying “This is a disgrace to boxing” and “Never watching YouTube boxing again” as they were clearly disappointed by what they saw.
Never watching YouTube boxing again 🤦🏽♂️
— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) October 14, 2023
This a disgrace to boxing
— BMF.eth (@GamebredFighter) October 14, 2023
With the impressive achievement of selling 1.2 million PPV’s for the event, many subscribers and viewers will not feel happy to have paid a lot of money to watch the event. DAZN sold the PPV for £19.99 for UK viewers whilst USA spectators would have to pay $54.99 for the event.
Some believe that Influencer Boxing could be killing the sport with the influencers not having the same quality in the sport such as the technique of punches as Boxing fans and professional fighters are not likely to be impressed at what they are witnessing.
After recent events, Influencer Boxing may go downhill from here in terms of PPV Buys and viewership but, the fights for most of the time are seen as entertaining as fans may want to keep watching their favourite Youtubers or internet personalities 'Stand and Bang' for a certain amount of rounds. The competitors do know how to promote a fight whether it may be on social media or in a press conference.
With all that being said, the likelihood is that Influencer Boxing will stay alive and if the likes of Jake Paul and KSI do fight each other, there is no question it will attract a large audience.
Do you believe that Influencer Boxing will stay alive?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
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