Celebrity boxing matches are reviving the popularity and relevancy of the sport of boxing while also bringing a younger audience to the sport.   

 

According to Dave Meltzer, Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodley sold approximately 500,000 pay-per-view packages. Furthermore, these boxing matches have proved to make those who are fighting a large sum of money. According to Bleacher Report, both Paul and Woodley made $2 million for their fight on August 29.

 

With a surge of popularity for these events, there are those who feel that they are getting too dangerous. Kevin Bowen, Owner of Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness, believes that the celebrity boxing matches are great for popularity but put celebrities at risk of getting seriously hurt.

 

“Absolutely there’s a fine line between fun, publicity, promotion, and stupidity,” said Bowen

“And they are definitely dancing around that line with some of these events.”

 

However, celebrity boxing isn’t the only form of combat sport that has seen a drastic increase in popularity. Bare Knuckle Boxing has also skyrocketed in popularity.

 

Bare Knuckle Boxing, where the fighters wear no gloves, has proven to be a dangerous trend alongside the celebrity matches. According to CBS, Justin Thornton, 38, died because of complications from being knocked out at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship on August 20.  

 

Celebrity boxing has received mixed thoughts in the eyes of the public.

 

“There’s two different ways to look at it, I think it’s good for the sport … because it's putting boxing in front of more eyes,” said Oliver Johnson, a fan of combat sports.

“But it’s also to the boxing purists a bad thing because it’s not making boxing about what it is the sport, it’s making it more about celebrities and big money fights.”

 

It is unclear whether this trend of celebrities stepping inside the ring and fighting for large sums of money will continue to hold its popularity. However, it is for certain that Jake Paul has reached a new generation of boxing fans and revitalized the sport.