Rest In Peace - Boxing

Sportsbooks may have to make due with one less draw soon. Boxing is going the way of the dinosaur. In the past fans were treated to charismatic boxers and personalities like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Jack Dempsey, and Joe Louis. As time rolled on a new generation of greats stepped in and took their place. Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and promoters like Bob Arum or Don King took to the ring and brought pay-per-view with them. Madison Square Garden and popular Las Vegas venues were packed to capacity with enthusiasts, sports betters, and celebrities. Las Vegas casinos were the forum for many of the greatest fights and also some of the biggest bets. However, there’s something lacking about the current generation of boxers and increased competition from extreme fighting. Boxing is dying and the Las Vegas action on boxing will follow suit.

Currently there are no real household names in boxing across any weight class. Previously the heavyweights garnered all the attention because of the legend of each boxer and the bombs they threw. In addition to the lack of a bona fide star, the boxing world is split by different boxing associations. Instead of all fighters going after one universal title, there are four different associations that have titles. The boxing community’s money grab is now hurting the sport and business model.

The retirement of Floyd “Money” Mayweather robbed boxing of one of its most colorful personalities. Always talking, always sniping, Mayweather fought the biggest fights and won. He brought crowds of those who loved and hated him. Fighting Oscar de la Hoya in one of the richest fights ever along with Ricky Hatton, Mayweather booked almost $50 million dollars for two fights alone. Now the biggest fights in boxing are found around Mayweather’s old weight class which was welterweight. One of the potential blockbuster fights of this year is now off; Mayweather was to fight Oscar again but retired. Ricky Hatton was offered the fight and declined. Boxers are ducking fights and gamblers are now forced to choose between less appealing options. Smaller crowds, smaller payouts for each fighter, and worse yet the public simply do not seem to care.

The days of the Las Vegas mega fight may be dead. Fewer people are taking up the sport of boxing and so far no boxer has been able to make himself a household name. Las Vegas and online sportsbooks will still take action on each fight, but the draw and crowds are vanishing.