Why the KSI-Tommy Fury, Logan Paul-Dillon Danis doubleheader could be the revival of influencer boxing
CBSN
The interest level in these types of sideshows has dwindled, but this weekend could mark a return to the spotlight
By its very definition, the word bubble can mean a good or fortunate situation that is isolated from reality or unlikely to last.
Social media star influencers turned pugilists Logan Paul and KSI unknowingly launched the current celebrity/circus boxing bubble with their first amateur exhibition bout in 2018. The movement only snowballed from there, helped along greatly by a November 2020 pay-per-view card, featuring retired greats Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. in the main event and Jake Paul knocking out former NBA guard Nate Robinson in the co-feature, which went on to produce an astonishing 1.6 million PPV buys.
Five years later, brands like Triller may have come and gone in this space but a market for this type of crossover boxing -- often featuring novice celebrities in grudge matches -- still exists. In fact, major networks known for their more traditional boxing coverage have launched multiple series dedicated to this exact type of combat fare.