The Pay-Per-View Dilemma Is Boxing Hindering Its Own Growth?
Journalist Thomas Hauser points out a critical issue plaguing the world of boxing – the overreliance on Pay-Per-View (PPV) events. According to Hauser, putting the best fights behind a paywall is preventing the sport from growing, as it caters primarily to hardcore fans, neglecting potential newcomers. The influx of Saudi money into boxing, while making a select few promoters and fighters wealthy, is not contributing to the overall growth of the sport. Hauser argues that PPV events, fueled by Saudi investment, fail to attract casual fans who haven't had the chance to see these fighters in non-PPV bouts. Highlighting the example of Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou scheduled for a Friday afternoon, Hauser emphasizes the mismatch in timing for U.S. viewers, suggesting the fight is targeted more at the British audience. He stresses the need for boxing to reach the mainstream audience, advocating for the best fights to be accessible without a paywall to foster growth. In assessing the state of boxing in the United States, Hauser notes a decline in popularity compared to the UK and other parts of the world. He challenges the notion of 2023 being a great year for boxing, citing the majority of desired fights being hidden behind PPV barriers, limiting visibility in the U.S. Hauser's call is clear – to grow the sport, boxing must prioritize making compelling matchups accessible to a broader audience, moving away from the exclusive PPV model that caters primarily to hardcore fans. #BoxingGrowth #PPVDilemma #MainstreamBoxing #SportsAnalysis #FightAccessibility
