In the world of boxing, there's a stirring push to transform one of the sport's most iconic figures into a globally recognized superstar—Oleksandr Usyk. But here's where it gets controversial: this ambitious vision is not just about athletic achievement; it's about revolutionizing how boxing connects with its audience via innovative platforms and record-breaking events. And this is the part most people miss—the effort to reignite the sport's golden era when heavyweight champions were legendary figures adored worldwide.
Recently, Oleksandr Usyk, who maintains a perfect record of 24 wins with 15 knockouts and holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles, has become the centerpiece in a bold new plan launched by Ed Pereira, CEO of the emerging boxing promotion company iV Boxing. Pereira's goal is nothing short of making Usyk a household name by leveraging modern streaming technology and massive public events. They have announced that many of these events will be streamed live on YouTube, with some entirely free for viewers—aiming to bring boxing directly to the fans, bypassing traditional pay-per-view barriers.
One of the major highlights is a large-scale boxing event scheduled for San Francisco on July 11. The organizers are targeting an unprecedented crowd of over 136,000 spectators, which would almost certainly set a new attendance record for a boxing event. This event will be hosted in the Civic Center Plaza, with a boxing ring positioned in front of San Francisco’s City Hall, turning an entire city area into a festival of boxing.
Pereira emphasizes that their mission is to recreate the excitement and cultural significance boxing once had, when the sport was a dominant global phenomenon. Recall how heavyweight champions in the past could stop anyone in their tracks just by walking down the street—everyone knew who they were. Today, that same level of widespread recognition has dwindled, despite Usyk being a truly exceptional, generational talent. Pereira laments this decline and hopes that the new events can revive the sport's glory.
To make this vision a reality, iV Boxing hopes to break historical attendance records. The current record for a non-title boxing event sits at 135,132 spectators—a landmark set in Milwaukee during a 1941 middleweight bout. The company plans to transform San Francisco’s Civic Center into a massive open-air arena, with the ambitious goal of attracting roughly 200,000 fans—an enormous challenge but one they are eager to tackle.
While the identity of the fighters slated for the July 11 card remains under wraps, Pereira promises that those involved will be fighters of the highest caliber, ensuring the event’s appeal and record-breaking potential. And because they aim to make tickets or access nearly free, the event is designed to maximize public participation, breaking down traditional financial barriers.
Beyond this, iV Boxing is committed to collaborating with existing promoters across the UK and the US. Pereira clarifies that his organization is not a promoter himself but a large-scale event handler dedicated to bringing boxing to a wider audience. His vision is to produce energetic, outdoor spectacles that create cultural moments—events that fans remember forever. His goal is to make boxing more accessible by reducing costs associated with pay-per-view matches and expensive ticket prices, which have recently alienated casual fans.
Additionally, via a strategic partnership with YouTube, iV Boxing plans to stream 12 major events this year, making boxing more accessible than ever. Pereira explains that some events will be free while others are pay-per-view, but importantly, there will be no subscription hurdles—making the sport available to everyone, everywhere. This approach aims to rekindle interest among a broader, more diverse audience, similar to when large crowds gathered in Times Square last year for a spectacular free boxing showcase featuring top fighters like Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney.
Pereira’s prior collaborations with notable figures like Turki Alalshikh from Saudi Arabia and various entertainment companies underline his experience in producing large, captivating events. He believes that bringing boxing back to the masses—on a cultural and entertainment level—can only be achieved by reimagining the sport as a grand spectacle that isn’t limited by high costs or exclusive access.
In essence, this initiative challenges the current state of boxing’s popularity and accessibility. The question remains: can such ambitious efforts truly revive boxing’s former status, or are they just illusions of a golden past trying to claw its way back? Are these record-breaking events the future of the sport or a temporary spectacle? And more intriguingly, how do you personally feel about the idea of making boxing more open and accessible—would you support such a revolution, or do you believe this could dilute the sport's competitive integrity? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!
