And rule sets in some cases, some even getting licensed as professional boxing matches — some landing on big TV or streaming companies.
The lines between sport and spectacle are blurring in the boxing world, and nowhere is this more evident than in the rise of novelty events featuring unusual weight classes.
From social media stars to retired athletes, a new generation of fighters is stepping into the ring, challenging traditional notions of boxing and captivating audiences worldwide.
DAZN, the global sports streaming platform, is at the forefront of this trend, broadcasting a slew of high-profile novelty fights this summer.
KSI, the British YouTuber-turned-boxer, is set to take on not one, but two opponents in a single night in Dublin on August 31st.
This unprecedented matchup is generating some interest, sure, with fans eagerly anticipating the spectacle of a three-way boxing match. Weird to say the least.
But KSI’s fight is just one example of the increasingly atypical events taking over the boxing landscape.
DAZN is also broadcasting Jake Paul’s upcoming cruiserweight bout in Florida this month against former UFC fighter and current pro bareknuckle boxer Mike Perry.
As well as Floyd Mayweather’s rematch with John Gotti III (their first fight ended in a brawl last time out) in August in Mexico City.
These fights, featuring celebrities, social media personalities, and retired athletes, are drawing massive audiences and generating millions in revenue.
The question is, how far will boxing go in pursuit of these crazy matches? And how far are DAZN and other big streaming companies willing to push the boundaries of the sport?
While some purists criticize these events as mere spectacles, others argue that they are breathing new life into boxing, attracting a younger, more modern audience.
The novelty fights, with their unusual weight classes and unpredictable outcomes, offer a unique form of entertainment that transcends traditional boxing norms.
Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul in November is even a professional licensed fight as it stands.
DAZN, for its part, seems committed to embracing this new era of boxing.
By broadcasting these high-profile events, the platform is not only capitalizing on their popularity but also shaping the future of the sport.
The success of these fights could pave the way for even more outlandish matchups, blurring the lines between sport and entertainment further.
How far will it go though?
How far are they willing to push the envelope and blur the lines of promotion and reality?
The rise of novelty boxing raises important questions about the future of the sport.
Will these events ultimately elevate boxing or diminish its legitimacy? Only time will tell.
But one thing is certain: the boxing world is changing, and DAZN is leading the charge in some fronts of it.
As fans eagerly await KSI’s triple-threat match and other upcoming novelty fights, one thing is clear: the spectacle of boxing is different, and the boundaries of what is possible in the ring are being pushed further than ever before.