By Sebastian Milo

Boxing is known as a cruel and unforgiving sport. For decades boxing has been one of the most popular sports of all time, with arguably one of its greatest reigns during the 1980’s thru the late 1990’s. Since then boxing has remained a favorite, but predominantly amongst the older generations.

Today’s youth engagement as reported by the Washington Post back in 2017 following a survey on “Combat Sports Popularity”,the percentage of young fans (18-29) who follow the sport are surprisingly low as compared to the collective overall percentage.

The Washington Post survey stated that nearly 28% of all Americans follow or know to some degree boxing. Of that 28% only 39% of those followers are between the age of 18-29. Meaning that 61% of today’s boxing followers are over the age of 30.

There can be many reasons speculated as to why the youth has just not been engaging in the following of boxing, specifically here in the United States. Maybe due to the over saturation of sports we have to offer, and others alike such as MMA/UFC as discussed in the Washington Post survey. Many attribute the loss of young fans due to the level of talent and competition many fans complain about in the sport today. While Boxing maybe does not compare to the level of fame that fighters back in the 80’s and 90’s had with the likes of Tyson, Holyfield, Duran, Holmes and many other historic fighters, Boxing today still has hope with many new young fighters that spark some energy in the sport.

While this may seem alarming, the engagement of younger fans of boxing is increasing per year, while not exponentially as hoped, promoters like Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing have ways to make younger fans of the sport engage more in boxing today.

“The in-event experience is very important to me. People need to see people dressed up, dancing, having fun, a young vibrant audience, as a promoter you engage the younger audience by making it cool, by making it sexy, by making it hot and making the event experience attractive.” Said Hearn.

Matchroom Boxing and the great mind of Eddie Hearn are realizing that to keep with the ever-changing needs of sport fans, you need to adapt and cater to the younger demographic to keep relevant. Both Hearn and Matchroom realize that doing so means creating an overall experience more than just the fight, it’s about the ambiance and the hype leading up to the event, and the showcasing of young, generational talents that can re inspire a spark in the attraction of boxing. One fighter who does just that is Devin Haney. Hearn discussed the excitement Haney brings to the sport when people hear his name.

“Haney appeals to the younger generation. I get the feeling that with Devin Haney people will say [you’re going to watch Devin Haney fight!] and that (excitement) is what you want, and few people can do it, but that’s what we are aiming to do” said Hearn on Wednesday afternoon (9/11/2019) at an official press conference in New York City previewing the upcoming fight between Haney & Abdullaev.

While the stats say boxing engagement is not what it once was, it’s nothing to be alarmed by if the young talent being showcased like Devin Haney, Shakur Stevenson & Gervonta Davis continues to be shown.

Along with the adaptive minds at Matchroom Boxing and Eddie Hearn, boxing is in safe hands in the USA, and will only continue to grow in popularity with the youth one fight at a time.

Sebastian Milo is a Sports Journalist currently finishing his Masters Degree at New York University. Sebastian writes for Boxing Action Magazine among a host of publications. Sebastian can be followed on social media @sebastianjmilo

Photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland/ Matchroom Boxing