‘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.”
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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