‘Somebody will die’: Rise of influencer boxing sparks safety fears
Influencer boxing is taking the sport by storm – but it’s also creating serious safety concerns.
It consists of popular YouTubers and internet personalities fighting each other in the boxing ring.
But thanks to their cult following, some of them – like Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSI – have become the most recognisable names in the sport today, and some of their payouts are said to be into the millions.
One of the biggest combat sports pay-per-view fights in 2023 came from an influencer boxing event held in Manchester, Sky News has learned.
The event, named the Prime Card, was dubbed the ‘Super Bowl of Influencer Boxing’. Pic: Misfits Boxing
The show reportedly had over a million sales and was put together by the world’s most popular promotion company, Misfits Boxing.
Their first event in August 2022 drew nearly two million viewers on the DAZN Boxing streaming network, with 90% of them being new subscribers.
Kalle Sauerland, president of Misfits Boxing, as well as an established promoter in traditional boxing, sees influencer boxing as “the ultimate version of changing the sport for the better”.
‘Kids love that online beef’
Influencer boxing thrives on gimmicky characters with razzmatazz and zing – and its supporters say it offers a type of entertainment that traditional boxing doesn’t.
Scenes such as those seen at a press conference last year – with tables, mics, bottles and cake being thrown into the air by John Fury, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis – can go viral, resulting in millions of clicks for companies like Misfits Boxing.
Some influencers are commonly restrained by security to avoid clashes before the fight. Pic: Misfits Boxing
Mr Sauerland said: “It’s a different type of entertainment. You’re not watching it because you’re going to see a jab like Muhammed Ali’s. You’re not going to see the feet of Muhammed Ali either. But you are going to get great entertainment.
“You’ve got storylines, you’ve got what the kids love that online beef, and I think that’s the secret of the success.”
The fairly new phenomenon rose from humble beginnings in 2018 with all fights taking place under amateur regulation – the event required every fighter to wear headguards and 16oz gloves.
The first influencer boxing event saw YouTubers KSI and Joe Weller fight for charity. Pic: KSI / YouTube
However, as interest has grown, the scene has evolved from its original form and matched the professional game with the removal of head guards and the adoption of 10oz gloves. These changes were first introduced in 2019 and have since been in place.
The transition to professional rules has also been a contributing factor to more stoppages and knockout victories, which are a celebrated part of the sport and often used for publicity.
Knockout victories are common in the influencer scene. Pic: Misfits Boxing
For a dangerous sport with the basic intent to produce bodily harm by specifically targeting the head, it raises questions on whether it’s even a space for novices to dabble in.
While it’s not legally required for companies to hire governing bodies to sanction their professional boxing events, given the number of health and safety protocols needed, it is advised to.
‘Somebody will die’
The British Boxing Board of Control, the only government-recognised authority for professional boxing in the UK, has been seeking to separate itself from the influencer boxing scene, since its inception.
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Concerns over the rise of influencer boxing
Robert Smith, the board’s general secretary, told Sky News: “I am concerned. I don’t agree with influencer boxing, and the main reason being is some of the standards you see are very, very poor.
“And therefore, I’m fairly confident that a lot of people who take part in that, if they applied for a license with us, would not get one.”
He added: “Boxing is dangerous. Somebody can, will possibly die in the future. And obviously the trouble with that then is it’s not just influencer boxing, it’s boxing.”
Robert Smith, of the British Boxing Board of Control, says some standards ‘are very, very poor’
Just earlier this month, professional boxer Kazuki Anaguchi, 23, died from a brain injury that he sustained from his last fight in December 2023.
There haven’t been any serious injuries in influencer boxing thus far, however, on several occasions, influencers have violated the rules of boxing – in the form of illegal knockouts and failed drug tests.
Those actions have led to disqualifications and suspensions by the Professional Boxing Association (PBA), which has been in charge of regulating most influencer bouts.
Reality TV star Chase DeMoor received a suspension for continuing to punch his opponent after a knockout. Pic DAZN
Last year, the PBA withdrew from working with promotion company Kingpyn Boxing, due to safety concerns.
Sky News approached Kingpyn Boxing for comment, but it did not respond.
Last month, the PBA also parted ways with Misfits Boxing, though confirming that it has “always held high standards when it comes to boxer safety”.
Misfits Boxing has told Sky News it recognises the concerns and takes boxer safety “to the highest possible professional standard”.
‘It’s a disaster waiting to happen’
Former European champion Spencer Oliver almost lost his life in the ring after a right hook gave him a life-threatening blood clot in the brain and ended his fighting career.
Former boxer Spencer Oliver was put into an induced coma for two weeks after suffering a blood clot
He also helped to organise the very first influencer boxing event in 2018, but the current state of what he started makes him feel “guilty” and fear that “someone is going to get injured in the ring like I did back in 1998”.
Mr Oliver told Sky News: “With the influencer boxing and where it’s heading now, you’ve got guys and girls coming out with no experience at all, they’re not conditioned at all, they’re going in there, and some of them are too one-sided, way way too one-sided.
“It’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
He added: “My message to the promoters that are involved in these matchups is make sure you get the matchmaking right because, at what cost? And it’s on your head if you don’t.
“It will leave a stain on boxing; God forbid something happens to one of them.”
UK
Comedian and actor Russell Brand bailed after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault
Russell Brand has been granted bail after appearing in court charged with sexual offences including rape.
During the brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the 49-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, also confirming to the judge that he understood his bail conditions.
Russell Brand outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Pic: Reuters
Brand, who has been living in the US, was charged by post last month with one count each of rape, indecent assault and oral rape – as well as two counts of sexual assault – in connection with incidents involving four separate women between 1999 and 2005.
The allegations were first made in a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches in September 2023.
The comedian and actor did not say anything as he entered the court
The comedian, actor and author has denied the accusations and said he has “never engaged in non-consensual activity”.
Appearing before Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, Brand stood to confirm his name and address. He then sat down while the charges were read to the court.
Brand surrounded by media. Pic: Reuters
Brand is charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area. She alleges that after meeting Brand at a theatrical performance and chatting to him later in her hotel room, she returned from the toilet to find he’d removed some of his clothes. She claims he asked her to take photos of him, and then raped her.
The court also heard of another of Brand’s alleged victims, who has accused him of indecently assaulting her in 2001 by “grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet” at a TV station.
Brand is accused of the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman he met in 2004 in London. He is accused of grabbing her breasts before allegedly pulling her into a toilet.
The final complainant is a radio worker who has accused Brand of sexually assaulting her between 2004 and 2005 by “kissing” and “grabbing” her breasts and buttocks.
Brand leaves court. Pic: Reuters
The judge referred the case up to the Crown Court – informally known as the Old Bailey.
Brand was asked to supply both his US and UK addresses to the court.
When asked if he understood his bail conditions, he replied, “Yes”.
The case was adjourned and Brand, of Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, was told he must appear at the Old Bailey on 30 May.
The UK has seen its warmest start to May on record as temperatures soared to over 29C in the spring sunshine.
The Met Office said 29.3C (84.7F) had been recorded at Kew Gardens in southwest London, passing the previous 1 May record of 27.4C (81.3F) set in Lossiemouth in 1990.
Thursday was also the warmest day of the year so far, beating the previous high of 26.7C (80F) reached in Wisley, Surrey, on Wednesday.
Follow latest updates: May record broken
The seafront in Southend-on-Sea. Pic: PA
But the heat is not expected to last for the bank holiday weekend, with cooler weather starting to drift in from the north on Friday.
Temperatures are expected to ease by Friday and Saturday, meaning cooler conditions of 14C to 18C across the UK.
Stephen Dixon, a Met Office spokesman, said: “Temperatures tomorrow will be slightly reduced from what we’ve seen today, possibly 26 or 27 degrees in the far southeast of England through the day tomorrow.”
What has led to the hot spell?
Forecasters said the hot spell has been due to the jet stream remaining stuck north of the country, allowing high pressure to settle.
Last month was also the sunniest April in the UK since records began in 1910, with 47% more sunshine hours than the long-term meteorological average, and the third warmest April on record, according to provisional Met Office figures.
Rainfall was well below average for most of the UK last month, with just 56% of expected totals recorded.
And Tyne and Wear had its second driest April on record, with only 7% of its usual rainfall.
Boy’s body recovered from lake
Meanwhile, the recovery of a 16-year-old boy’s body from a lake in Nottingham prompted emergency services to warn about swimming in lakes and rivers.
Chief Inspector David Mather, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to highlight this case as a reminder of the devastating consequences of entering open water – regardless of whether people do so deliberately or inadvertently.”
A lifeguard at London Fields Lido in east London. Pic: Reuters
The London Fire Brigade said its crews responded to 565 water-related incidents last year and have already attended around 160 in the first quarter of this year, with incidents ranging from rescuing people to animals stranded on lakes and ponds.
‘Water temperatures can be dangerously cold’
Assistant commissioner for prevention and protection Craig Carter said. “Even when the sun is shining, water temperatures can be dangerously cold. Cold water shock can affect anyone, no matter how fit or experienced they are. It can lead to water inhalation, and, in the worst cases, drowning.”
People enjoy their ice creams during in St James’s Park, London. Pic: PA
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) offered similar warnings, advising those planning to swim at a lifeguarded beach to swim between the red and yellow flags.
Fire services warned that the warm weather means there is a “heightened” risk of grass and wildfires which can spread more easily during the dry spell, as firefighters have been battling what they described as a large wildfire in the Peak District.
The RAC also cautioned drivers on the roads, with spokesman Rod Dennis saying breakdowns are expected to “soar”, while the NHS reported searches for hay fever advice had doubled from Monday to Wednesday.
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