How and Why YouTube Boxing Became So Popular
Not long now until one of the biggest fight nights of the year. No, we are not talking about Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk or a bout for one of the traditional and respected world championship belts. The fight in question is the one between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson – and it is just the latest big event in the world of YouTube boxing.
There is no doubt that these kinds of fights are just as popular and eagerly anticipated as the world championship bouts of old – and they provide just as much activity on the big boxing betting sites as well. But just how did YouTube boxing become so popular?
There will still be some fight fans who still look down their noses on fights such as Paul vs. Tyson. But there is no doubt that the interest is there and they are the types of fight that is keeping boxing alive. With UFC becoming more and more popular in place of boxing, it could be argued that it is the YouTube stars and influencers that are helping keep the fight game relevant.
Where it All Started
If you know anything about the rise of YouTube boxing you may recall that this global phenomenon all started when two YouTubers, Joe Weller and Theo Baker, mentioned their idea for a fight. When KSI jokingly posted that he would take on the winner, a whole new era of boxing was born.
Amateur boxing away from the official routes to professionalism has always been popular, from illegal bouts to white-collar fights in the city. But the scope and popularity were never as big as when these social media stars started publicizing their events and intentions. YouTube boxing suddenly provided the most exciting events in town.
Disillusion
But why have traditional boxing fans accepted YouTube fights as part of the sport they love? One of the main reasons has to be a disillusionment with the current state of the sport. There was a time when everyone knew the heavyweight champion of the world – and there was only one, undisputed champion. But those days are long gone.
More and more boxing federations and organizations seemed to dilute the sport and confuse even the most ardent of fans, With fewer and fewer real characters in boxing, the fans started to look elsewhere for their new heroes. Combine that with the popularity of social media and YouTube boxing seems almost inevitable.
The Rise of the Influencer
Although nearly everyone has heard of Muhammad Ali, there were some incredibly well-loved fighters well into the 1980s and 1990s as well. These were boxers who transcended the sport and were celebrities in their own right, appearing on all the big TV shows of the time and making sure that boxing stayed headline news.
But when boxing became less popular at the end of the 20th century, the internet was just beginning to have the impact it has today. As technology has improved, we have seen the rise of social media – and the rise in popularity of social media personalities. It could be argued that these individuals could have revitalized any sport or part of society – but boxing was the lucky recipient of their fame and following.
Real Fighters
Most of the initial criticism of YouTube fighters when the first events were announced was that these social media influencers knew nothing about boxing. They were routinely told that they didn’t respect the sport and were only looking to extend their notoriety and gain more followers online.
However, the proof of these new fighters’ dedication can be seen in the way that influencers such as KSI and Jake Paul train for their upcoming fights. These are not TV actors shying away from real action. They might not have come up through the amateur ranks, but they are as real as any boxer out there.
Putting on a Show
If there is one thing that social media and the sport of boxing have in common it is that they both know how to put on a show. YouTube and other social media platforms can reach millions of people worldwide and the biggest events can command bigger audiences than some of the most elite traditional sports events on the planet.
That kind of promotion is something that boxing can easily understand. The role of the promoter has always been crucially important in boxing, whipping up excitement in order to sell tickets and pay-per-view links for the biggest fights. It could be argued that the boxing promoters of the past would have been some of the most successful social media influencers and YouTube personalities of the current day had they been born later.
The Future of YouTube Boxing
Some would say that the future of YouTube boxing is the future of boxing itself. Admittedly, there has been a rise in the popularity of the sport recently thanks to the emergence of big characters and fighters who can truly claim to be the undisputed best in the world. But there is also an argument to be made that boxing has remained important because of the way that YouTubers and influencers have advertised its attractions.
The upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson is a good case in point. Tyson may not be at the same level as he was in his prime but he is still a highly respected fighter with a huge fan base. People want to see whether he still has the ability – and whether a YouTuber like Jake Paul can compete. This kind of crossover between the traditional and the new worlds of boxing has seemingly guaranteed its future.
The traditional boxing fan is now taking an interest in YouTube boxing and considering it as part of the wider fight game. With so much social media power, it is exciting to try to anticipate what might come next.
