The Evolution Of The YouTube Boxing Scene Explained
Anyone who keeps an eye on the boxing scene will know how much YouTube boxing has grown in recent years. Although it might have started off as a niche part of the sport and was not given much credibility initially, it has finally gained the respect it deserves. This has been helped greatly by the huge crowds that major YouTube boxing matches pull in and the new audience it has brought to boxing.
When you consider that it has helped launch legitimate boxing careers for social media stars such as Jake Paul and KSI, it becomes clear just how much of an impact YouTube boxing is having. For a more detailed exploration of why YouTube boxing is so popular and how it has evolved, read on.
Why do people love YouTube boxing so much?
Before we look at how this niche within boxing has evolved over time, it makes sense to look at why it has become so popular.
To begin with, people can find these kinds of contests more interesting to watch because they involve people they know. This differs from a lot of standard boxing bouts between fighters you might not have heard of or do not really care about.YouTube boxing can also be found at top sports betting sites and sometimes delivers better betting opportunities to take up. This is because bouts between YouTubers can often be close, and the odds on each fighter can be better value as a result. The high media profile of YouTube boxing now also means it’s easy to find these bouts to wager on at platforms such as bet365 or 10bet.
2017: the start of a new era in boxing
YouTube boxing began way back in 2017, with a friendly bout in the UK between British YouTube sensations Theo Baker and Joe Weller. Weller decided to promote the clash on his Instagram account and this caught the eye of fellow UK YouTuber KSI.
At the time, KSI had 19 million subscribers and they could not wait to see their idol in action when he publicly challenged the winner of Baker vs Weller to a fight. Weller won the bout and accepted the challenge from KSI. The bout took place at the Copper Box Arena in London and drew an in-person crowd of 7,500 – and an online audience of around 1.6 million.
Logan Paul vs KSI pushes YouTube boxing forward
KSI beat Weller by TKO in round three and went on to publicly challenge YouTube stars Jake and Logan Paul to take him on in the ring. Logan Paul took up the offer and their August 2018 contest proved a pivotal moment in YouTube boxing’s evolution.
Both fighters had around 20 million subscribers at the time and promoted their clash heavily to these fans. Plenty of trash talk leading up to the bout also helped with maximum exposure by the time it came around.
Both men fought for the title of YouTube Boxing Champion at the sold-out Manchester Arena. The fight drew a PPV audience of over one million and a viewing figure of 24 million on YouTube. Although the fight ended in a draw, the interest it sparked caught the interest of famous boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
Paul vs KSI rematch 2019
Eddie Hearn becoming involved in YouTube boxing helped to make it more professional and give it more credibility within the sport overall. He took on the challenge to make YouTube more mainstream and staged the Logan Paul vs KSI rematch.
This time, they met at the Staples Center in LA during November 2019 and pulled in a star-studded audience. This included boxing royalty Mike Tyson and other celebs including Wiz Khalifa. KSI ultimately won the bout by split decision in round six to become YouTube Boxing Champion.
Aside from the result, this fight drew a 1.2 million PPV audience and was a sellout. When you also consider it got major coverage from top global broadcasters, you can see how this rematch thrust YouTube boxing further into the spotlight.
YouTube boxing explodes into the mainstream
After KSI and Logan Paul’s bout in LA during 2019, YouTube boxing really took off around the world. One of the best examples of this is how famous retired boxers were tempted back into the ring to take on well-known YouTube stars. This helped to lend real credibility to YouTube boxing and fans started to take it more seriously. June 2021, for example, saw Logan Paul vs Floyd Mayweather Jr wow fans.
Jake Paul and the next generation of YouTube boxers
While brother Logan Paul might have helped YouTube boxing get established, Jake Paul is now the biggest name on the scene. His controversial win over Nate Robinson sent his boxing career into orbit and it’s thought he has earned around $45 million as a pro boxer since. A planned bout against Mike Tyson for late 2024 is evidence of his star power.
The success of Jake Paul and the dedication he shows to the sport has not only helped YouTube boxing gain more respect, it has also inspired a new generation of YouTubers to turn to professional boxing as a career choice. This includes people like Salt Papi and Swarmz.
YouTube boxing has grown over time
There is no doubt that YouTube boxing has changed, evolved and ultimately grown over the years. From its origins as an amateur part of the boxing landscape between social media celebs, it has changed to become more professional and respected by mainstream boxing fans.
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