Bob Arum and Dana White Eyeing the Sphere A Technological Challenge for Boxing’s Big Night
In the glitzy world of combat sports, the Sphere in Las Vegas stands tall as a groundbreaking entertainment venue, currently hosting the likes of U2. However, for boxing promoters like Bob Arum and UFC's Dana White, putting on a show in this futuristic arena is proving to be more than just a walk in the park.
Bob Arum, head of Top Rank, recently spilled the beans on the challenges they face in making the Sphere the next boxing hotspot. Speaking on The 3 Knockdown Rule podcast, Arum acknowledged the difficulty in navigating the technological hurdles the Sphere presents. Unlike the typical boxing venue setup, the Sphere demands a level of audio-visual excellence that goes beyond simply putting up a ring and getting fighters in it.
"Jim Dolan is a very good friend of mine, and he wants Top Rank to do the first boxing event at the Sphere," Arum revealed. "But technologically, it’s not an easy thing to do for various reasons. We are working on it. We hope this year, later on, to have the knowledge to get it done."
It's not just Arum eyeing the Sphere; Dana White, the head honcho of UFC, has expressed his obsession with staging shows there. Last year, he boldly claimed, "I will put on the greatest live combat sports event that anybody has ever seen at the Sphere on Mexican Independence Day." White, known for his no-nonsense approach, took a swipe at boxing promoters like Arum, asserting that he has the financial muscle to make it happen.
While both Arum and White share the ambition of making the Sphere a combat sports spectacle, the technological intricacies pose a considerable challenge. Arum's COO, Brad Jacobs, is spearheading the efforts to overcome these obstacles and deliver a presentation that matches the grandeur of the Sphere.
The race to be the first to host a boxing extravaganza at the Sphere is on, with Arum and White working behind the scenes to crack the code. As Arum succinctly puts it, "It’s not like you put a ring up and you get the fighters and you put it on."
In the clash of ambitions between Arum and White, it remains to be seen who will overcome the technological hurdles first and create a night of combat sports magic at the Sphere. The stakes are high, and the pressure is on to deliver a show that lives up to the Sphere's reputation as one of the most groundbreaking entertainment venues globally.
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