
via Imago
Image Credits- Imago

via Imago
Image Credits- Imago
Brawls, controversies, and lackluster performances summed up the recent Misfits Boxing event. Headlined by KSI vs. Tommy Fury and Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis, the event promised a lot but failed to meet the expectations in the squared ring. However, the event, riding high on emotions of vengeance and grudge, bore success. Almost 1.3 million fans shelled out $54.99 in the US and £19.99 in the UK to watch a card brimming with internet stars throw punches. A number that traditional boxers envy.
While Danis dropped the fight against Logan Paul via disqualification, a brawl seized all eyeballs. Meanwhile, KSI found himself on the wrong side of a close result, with judges handing the victory to Tommy Fury. Misfits Boxing, hence, converted the buzz into business and did a remarkable job. Despite many purists discarding influencer boxing as a circus, the circus is now drawing the crowd with its entertaining appeal. The success of the latest Misfits Boxing event is an indication that the boxing community is turning upside down.
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KSI vs. Tommy Fury and Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis: The Art of Selling PPVs
Happy Punch took the boxing world by storm when it disclosed that the event managed to pull off 1.3 million PPV buys. The credit lies with the promotion and also with Dillon Danis, who excelled in his job and kept the anticipation alive for the event. How did they manage to do it?

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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 09: Logan Paul (red/white/blue shorts) waits in a neutral corner after he knocked down KSI (black/red) during their pro debut fight at Staples Center on November 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. KSI won by decision. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Abuses, brawls, and drama are the key ingredients in Misfits Boxing’s success, and every fighter on the card played their role to perfection. Praising these tactics that generated a million PPV, UFC veteran Brendan Schaub said, “Say what you want about the actual fight, but one thing you can’t argue is these boys know how to sell a fight. 1.3 mill gooooood lord.”
Influencer boxing has therefore cracked the formula to sell a fight. On the other side, traditional boxing PPVs in 2013 have only managed to breach the million mark once. That rare incident occurred when Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia squared off in April this year.
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If the same trend continues, traditional fighters will find themselves facing influencers more often. The best PPVs of 2023 suggest the same.
The Best PPV Fights of 2023: Influencer Boxing Supremacy
Will your head turn if you realize that a bunch of influencers sold their fights better than Canelo Alvarez, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan Garcia? The much-coveted bout between ‘Tank’ and ‘The Flash’ amassed 1.2 million PPVs, as noted by Brian Campbell of CBS Sports. It was followed by another influencer boxing matchup featuring Jake Paul and Tommy Fury, which sold 800,000 PPVs.

via Imago
Boxing: Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz Aug 5, 2023 Dallas, Texas, USA Jake Paul left knocks down Nate Diaz during a boxing match at American Airlines Center. Dallas American Airlines Center Texas USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKevinxJairajx 20230805_krj_aj6_0020
The fourth on the list is the recently concluded Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo, which, according to Dan Rafael, sold PPVs between 650,000 and 700,000. KSI vs. Faze Temperrr slots itself as the fifth on the list with 300,000 PPV buys. Among the top 5 PPVs of the year, influencer boxing holds the bragging rights to three of them.
The question is not whether influencer boxing has quality or not. The question is whether influencer boxing is relevant merely because it pulls off good business.
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Influencers rubbing shoulders with traditional boxers
And the answer is a resounding yes. Additionally, the influencers are taking home more than what a traditional boxer earns. Dillon Danis told Piers Morgan that he pocketed over $1 million. A figure that put him closer to Jermell Charlo than most of the UFC fighters.

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MF & DAZN SERIES 001 – Fight Night Youtube personality KSI and rapper Swarmz during their Two Fights in One Night cruiserweight boxing bout. London The O2 UK Copyright: xJohnxBarryx JB2_5041
Likewise, KSI reportedly collected somewhere around $10 million for the biggest fight of his life, if The Sun is to be believed. And that puts him closer to Gervonta Davis, who bagged an estimated 10 million against Garcia. Therefore, there is not much separating the stars from the two worlds of boxing. It also suggests that casual fans are tuning in more than purists to savor the entertainment that influencer boxing offers.
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What do you make of these numbers generated by KSI vs. Tommy Fury and Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis? Do you believe influencer boxing is here to stay? Let us know in the comments below.
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