Misfits Boxing: Love It or Hate It, It’s Here to Stay

A New Era of Boxing or a Mockery of the Sport?

As the Misfits X Series 004 kicks off tonight, the debate surrounding this new wave of influencer boxing continues to divide opinions in the boxing community. Promoted by Wasserman’s Kalle Sauerland and spearheaded by YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI, Misfits Boxing has quickly become a hot topic, sparking conversations about its place in the sport.

KSI will headline the event, facing fellow YouTuber Faze Temper in what has become a familiar storyline for Misfits events: social media stars stepping into the boxing ring. The organization, which recently inked a five-year exclusivity deal with global streaming giant DAZN, is gaining momentum. Its debut event in August 2022 attracted 2 million viewers, with an impressive 90% being first-time subscribers to DAZN.

Dividing the Boxing Community

The rise of Misfits Boxing has elicited strong reactions from die-hard boxing fans and professionals alike. Critics argue that the concept of influencers fighting in the ring makes a mockery of the sport, taking attention and opportunities away from “real” fighters—professionals who have dedicated their lives to boxing and depend on the sport for their livelihoods.

For many, influencer boxing doesn’t belong in the same space as traditional professional bouts. The fear is that it’s overshadowing the hard-earned careers of seasoned fighters by offering high-profile slots to those who haven’t put in the same level of dedication. Former boxers and purists have been vocal, claiming that the inclusion of inexperienced participants devalues the sport.

Safety Concerns: Is Misfits Boxing Just Entertainment?

Another significant concern is the safety of the participants. With minimal training, some worry that the influencers stepping into the ring are at risk of serious injury. The question of responsibility looms large—if someone gets hurt, how will the organization respond?

Some, however, liken Misfits Boxing to white-collar or charity boxing events, which also feature non-professionals. The difference, they argue, is that the spectacle of influencer boxing has captured mainstream attention, blurring the lines between entertainment and sport.

Entertainment or Sport? Learning from WWE

On the flip side, the comparison to WWE often comes up in discussions about Misfits Boxing. While WWE is a scripted form of entertainment, it has gained millions of fans around the world despite the risks involved. Like WWE, Misfits Boxing could carve out its own niche as an entertainment-first product, appealing to a younger, digital-savvy audience. Perhaps the success of Misfits lies in the realization that it doesn’t need to fit within the traditional structure of professional boxing.

Attracting New Audiences to the Sport

Despite the controversy, there’s no denying the draw of influencer boxing. With millions of young fans tuning in to watch their favorite social media stars step into the ring, Misfits Boxing may actually help bridge the gap between influencers and mainstream sports. Some fans may come for KSI or Faze Temper, but stay for the sport itself, discovering professional boxing in the process.

Parents have also shared stories of their children being inspired to take up boxing after watching influencers like KSI, Deji, and Salt Papi fight. If influencer boxing is encouraging kids to exercise and engage with the sport, can it really be seen as entirely negative?

Coexistence or Competition?

Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, another key player in DAZN’s boxing content, has taken a pragmatic approach to the rise of Misfits. Hearn has been clear that there won’t be any scheduling conflicts between Matchroom’s professional events and Misfits shows on the same platform. As a business, DAZN sees the value in tapping into the massive audience that influencers bring, and as long as the two entities coexist without stepping on each other’s toes, there may be little reason for concern.

For boxing fans, the hope is that the influx of new viewers from Misfits events could benefit the sport as a whole, leading to more eyes on traditional boxing.

The Future: KSI vs. Jake Paul?

One of the biggest fights rumoured to be in the works for 2023 is a showdown between KSI and Jake Paul. Jake Paul, a major force in the influencer boxing scene, helped pave the way for this movement, and a fight between the two could bring in astronomical viewership numbers.

If the fight happens, it could outperform many of the biggest professional boxing matches of the year, further proving the influence of the Misfits model.

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