Boxing has always been a star-driven sport. From Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather to Canelo Alvarez, the sport’s brightest lights have long captivated audiences, transcending the ring to become cultural icons. Yet today, in a hyper-competitive sports and entertainment landscape, the spotlight on boxing is dimming. While its stars still generate headlines and sell tickets, their sporadic activity and lack of sustained visibility risk boxing’s relevance in an era brimming with alternatives.
The recent Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou exhibition and Jake Paul’s celebrity-fueled bouts are stark reminders of boxing’s star power. Fury and Paul, despite their differing levels of skill and credibility, have mastered the art of creating events that command attention, filling arenas and capturing headlines. However, while these spectacles can provide momentary surges of interest, boxing cannot rely solely on irregular superfights to maintain its position. Its legitimate stars—fighters like Gervonta Davis, Terence Crawford, and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez—must fight more frequently and strategically to solidify boxing’s place in the modern sports pantheon.
The Era of Content Overload
Boxing now competes not just with other combat sports like MMA but also with an avalanche of entertainment options—from the NFL and NBA to streaming platforms and viral social media content. In this crowded landscape, out of sight truly means out of mind. The UFC, for instance, has succeeded in staying top of mind by delivering consistent, well-marketed events year-round. By contrast, boxing’s biggest stars often fight once or twice a year, leaving long stretches where fans disengage and turn their attention elsewhere.
Even casual fans can name UFC stars like Conor McGregor or Israel Adesanya, in part because the UFC consistently promotes them in events or through robust storytelling between fights. Boxing’s star fighters, while immensely talented, often lack similar engagement.
Star Power Alone Isn’t Enough
When boxing’s stars do fight, the results can be electrifying. Consider Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia last year—a mega-event that packed arenas and drew massive pay-per-view numbers. Or Terence Crawford’s dismantling of Errol Spence, a fight that left fans clamoring for more of Crawford’s dominance. These moments prove that boxing can still produce compelling narratives and dramatic action.
But such events are too few and far between. The greatest risk to boxing is that its stars are becoming more like seasonal attractions than consistent presences. Canelo Alvarez, the sport’s biggest active name, deserves credit for his relatively frequent schedule, but even he faces a challenge in finding opponents that excite casual and hardcore fans alike.
The Jake Paul Effect
While Jake Paul is often dismissed as a sideshow, his impact cannot be ignored. Paul’s fights—however polarizing—generate buzz because of his relentless self-promotion and willingness to take risks by stepping into the ring regularly. He brings a younger audience to boxing, proving that activity and personality can drive relevance even without elite skills.
Contrast this with some of boxing’s more traditional stars, who, while undeniably talented, can seem disconnected from the modern media ecosystem. Fighters like Crawford or Davis should embrace similar strategies, using social media and media appearances to bridge the gaps between fights and keep fans engaged year-round.
Solutions: More Activity, Better Matchmaking
For boxing to thrive, its stars need to fight more often, against opponents who present real intrigue. This means fewer tune-up fights and more meaningful clashes, even if it involves cross-promotional risks. The sport’s current model of marinating matchups until they reach peak profitability often backfires, leaving fans frustrated or indifferent.
Take Crawford vs. Spence, for example. While the fight ultimately delivered in 2023, it arrived years later than it should have. Similarly, boxing can ill afford to delay superfights like Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson.
Increased activity doesn’t just help the sport’s stars—it elevates the entire ecosystem. Regular appearances from elite fighters create opportunities for undercard talent to shine and for fans to remain invested in the sport as a whole.
Conclusion: Boxing’s Stars Hold the Key
Boxing has all the ingredients for success: world-class athletes, dramatic storylines, and a rich history. But it needs its stars to take center stage more consistently. Fighters like Gervonta Davis, Terence Crawford, and Canelo Alvarez can’t just be exceptional athletes—they must also become compelling entertainers who seize the cultural moment.
In a world of endless options, boxing’s stars need to fight not just for belts but for the sport’s future. More activity, better matchmaking, and smarter promotion can ensure that boxing doesn’t just survive in today’s congested sports arena—it thrives.
Bryant Maxwell can be reached at maxwritings@gmail.com
