Betting on Celebrity Boxing: Is it Possible?

Boxing and martial arts in general have been popular for as long as humans have been around. However, as sports, they definitely have waxed and waned throughout history. In the 20th century, we saw the peak of professional boxing. And while the sport remains the most popular combat sport in the world, the boxers around are certainly not international superstars.

MMA on the other hand is just hitting its peak. Many believe that there is a good chance that mixed martial arts will overtake boxing. The success of MMA has breath fresh life into the combat sport sector. Though for a while it looked like MMA would be taking over, recently, there has been a resurgence in boxing’s popularity.

The Success of Boxing

It shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that boxing is the dominant combat sport. The fighting style’s history stretched to the prehistoric era after all. It has been said that boxing is the embodiment of the striking side of martial arts. And with the excitement building for the Beazt Fight, there are plenty of people who are now thinking about betting on the sport.

But the success of boxing is not just limited to the world of sports. Popular culture has had a pretty profound effect on the sport’s growing popularity. Especially influential were the influencer boxing events that dominated YouTube in the past decade. Fans of some of the top YouTubers got to see their favorite content creators get into the ring and throw punches. So let’s see what influencer boxing is and how it took the world by storm.

Celebrity/Influencer Boxing

The primary reason for the resurgence of interest in the sport has to do with celebrity or influencer boxing. To be sure, films have also played a huge role. The revival of the Rocky franchise in the form of Creed played a significant role, of course. But, a lot of experts agree that influencer boxing specifically, had a huge impact on younger people becoming interested in the sport.

But, just what is influencer boxing? Certainly, you can pick up on what it is precisely from the name alone. Influencer boxing is a new trend in pop culture, where popular social media personalities step into the ring and go blow-for-blow for a few rounds. Though most of them are amateurs, a lot are still interested in seeing the fight, as it is their favorite/hated internet personalities pummeling each other.

Is it Possible to Bet on This?

The first thing that savviest boxing fans will ask is obvious; is it possible to bet on influencer boxing? The answer is yes. Just like with any boxing match, online sportsbooks do a fine job of covering the most popular events in influencer boxing.

They obviously don’t have much to go on, as many of these people have never stepped into the ring before. However, they still do their best to create fair and balanced odds, using what little they have, as well as years of experience. It is worth saying though, that while influencer boxing is growing more and more popular, it still can’t compare to the “real deal.” Boxing pay-per-view matches remain some of the most bought television specials in the world, and professional boxing matches are still the most bet on and watched combat sport.

Popular Influencer Boxing Events

One of the most popular influencer boxing promotions is Misfit Boxing, founded by English YouTube personality and amateur boxer KSI. They’ve done a great job putting on matches by both celebrities and internet influencers, as well as some actual pro-boxers.

One of the most notable, amateur boxing events put on by Misfit was the infamous “Lolcow Clash,” that saw Boogie2988 face off against WingsofRedemption. The Super Heavyweight fight drew a lot of attention on the internet, and temporarily reignited the careers of both YouTubers. The two of them would later start a podcast together, titled Lolcow Live. And while WingsofRedemption left the show soon after, Boogie2988 is still its most prominent member today.

Another huge event was the Creator Clash, founded and managed by American YouTuber iDubbbz with his wife and business partner. The Creator Clash pins notable as well as small-time YouTubers, Twitch streamers and other online influencers in fights respectable fights. The first Creator Clash was a huge success, which subsequent events have not been able to replicate.

The Downfall of Influencer Boxing

The initial influencer boxing events managed to draw huge crowds. Logan Paul’s fight with KSI remains one of the most watched boxing events of the 21st century, and certainly one of the most impactful developments in the world of online entertainment. But the hype for influencer boxing would not last. Many fans of the sport and experts could have predicted that celebrity fights were a flash in the pan.

The main reason for the downfall of influencer boxing is simple; most YouTubers are not fighters and have no desire to become athletes. For many of them, fighting in the ring was a once-in-a-lifetime event that was meant to give them motivation to get in shape, and put some eyes on them. But at the end of the day the influencer boxers went back home to pursue their true passion; content creation.

Those who truly loved boxing went on to pursue a career in professional boxing to varying degrees of success. Jake Paul has caused some pretty big controversy in the boxing sector. His fight with Mike Tyson was seen as a massive publicity stunt, and the latest fight with Anthony Joshua had the whole internet cheering against the once-famous YouTuber. But very few of the YouTube influencers-turned-boxers have managed to attain the same level of success as the younger Paul brother.

Last Say

Boxing will likely forever remain one of the most popular combat sports. The success of the UFC and MMA in general may even turn out to be just the kick the boxing community needs to move away from the business-minded side of things, and focus once more on what most people are here for; the fighting.