The boxing scene in the UK is in perhaps its healthiest state for many years. The country is home to a number of fighters that are capable of exciting a global audience.
Among them are Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. Joshua and Dubois came face to face in a recent battle, as they fought each other for the IBF world heavyweight crown.
It was the younger boxer who emerged victorious, subjecting the veteran Joshua to a real beating. Joshua was the financial winner though, earning around £6 million compared with the £3.5 million banked by his opponent.
These sums show how much money there is in UK boxing now. That is due to its commercial appeal – 96,000 people crowded into Wembley Stadium to see the Joshua vs. Dubois fight and many more watched on television.
One thing that has changed in recent years though is that fewer big UK fights take place in Las Vegas. Once a true home to boxing, it has been supplanted.
The Decline of Boxing in Vegas
Las Vegas has always been known as one of the top entertainment resorts in the world. That reputation was built on the back of two things: casino gambling and the ability to attract major music stars and sporting events.
Vegas is still very much the global gambling capital. The giant casinos that line its iconic Strip attract millions of visitors each year and that shows no signs of changing.
The Vegas casinos have adapted to the age of online gambling. People love to play casino games online from the comfort of home now, after checking out a review of the best casino sites.
That has not led to them abandoning Vegas though. They recognize that its luxurious casinos still offer the chance to experience something truly special.
The situation is different when it comes to boxing. There has been a genuine exodus of top level fights from Las Vegas in recent years.
It is a remarkable story for a city that has hosted some of the greatest boxing matches of all time. Vegas is where Floyd Mayweather ruled the roost for a decade, and where Tyson bit the ear of Evander Holyfield.
So what has happened to change things? Well, it is partly a decision that the big Las Vegas venues have consciously made.
They are branching out into other sports that they view as more legitimate. Vegas has its own NFL team now, in the shape of the Raiders – complete with multi-million-dollar Allegiant Stadium.
It also has championship winning NHL and WNBA sides. Formula 1 motor racing is coming to Las Vegas now too, so it is broadening its horizons.
That appears to be happening at the expense of boxing. It will not be a concern to the general tourist crowd, as there are still lots of sporting attractions in Las Vegas. It is just dedicated boxing fans who lose out.
Where are the Big Fights Held Now?
Las Vegas is not competing as strongly for the top boxing events as it once did. That is only one part of the story though – as it has also found itself facing serious rivalry for them.
It is the Gulf States of the Middle East that are securing most of the big fights now. That means the likes of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
These nations are keen to take over from Vegas as the global boxing capital and they have real advantages. One is that they are incredibly wealthy, so money is no object when it comes to landing prestige bouts.
Sheikh Tahnoun is dedicated to making the UAE the premier destination for combat sports – which includes the UFC as well as boxing. He is having considerable success on that score.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is winning events like the 2023 fight between heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and UFC winner Francis Ngannou. All of this is leaving Vegas in the dust, which presents some concerns.
One is that many boxing fans cannot travel to the Middle East. That means the shift towards that part of the world is making the sport less accessible.
A second serious concern that has been cited by some is that Saudi Arabia has a poor record when it comes to human rights. There is a feeling that this will negatively impact the perception of boxing.
The only way that Vegas can turn this situation around is by making a concerted effort to win back the boxing community. It needs to reassert its status as the home of boxing, by spending money to secure the big fights.
Las Vegas can attract the best fighters again, but it will be hard and the will to do so must be there.
