In an era where sports entertainment is constantly evolving, a new player, iVisit Boxing, is not just participating – it`s actively reshaping the landscape. With a bold vision and a quarter-century of event management expertise, this London-headquartered innovator is taking boxing out of traditional arenas and into the heart of communities, transforming it into an accessible, festival-like spectacle.
Beyond the Ropes: Boxing as a Community Event
For too long, boxing, despite its deep roots in various cultures, has often been perceived as an exclusive, pay-per-view affair. iVisit Boxing aims to dismantle this perception. According to Ed Pereira, CEO of iVisit Boxing, the mission is clear: “Boxing brings every element of society together. It’s a community sport. We engage with communities at every level, from the ground up. We’re taking boxing back to the community.” This isn`t just a slogan; it`s a strategic pivot to make the “sweet science” a centerpiece for collective experience once more.
The Audacious Experiments: From Riyadh to Times Square
While the name iVisit Boxing might be new to some, their fingerprints are already all over some of boxing`s most memorable recent events. Operating as an arm of iVisit Media, a global marketing and live events powerhouse, their track record speaks volumes:
- Ring Of Fire (May 2024, Riyadh): The epic encounter between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, a global spectacle.
- Crawford vs. Madrimov (August last year, Los Angeles): Riyadh Season`s inaugural overseas venture, featuring a high-stakes fight card and a blockbuster Eminem concert, marrying elite sport with music.
- Wembley Edition (September last year, London): Drawing a staggering 98,128 fans to witness Daniel Dubois` upset of Anthony Joshua, complemented by an undercard and a performance by Liam Gallagher.
However, the most eye-catching of their endeavors, and perhaps the clearest signal of their intent, was the Times Square event this past May 2. Placing a boxing ring directly in the pulsing heart of New York City, featuring stars like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez, was a logistical marvel and a marketing coup. “We delivered against all odds,” Pereira recounts, highlighting the herculean effort of securing permits from 43 agencies, engaging with Homeland Security, NYPD, and FDNY. One can almost picture the initial meetings, with city officials raising an eyebrow at the sheer audacity of proposing a professional boxing match amidst the flashing billboards and bustling crowds of Times Square. Yet, it happened.
From Service Provider to Concept Creator
Initially, iVisit Media`s role involved bringing promoters` concepts to life. Now, the tables have turned. Emboldened by their successes, particularly the Times Square triumph, iVisit Boxing is generating its own grand ideas and inviting promoters to join. This strategic shift positions them as architects of boxing`s future, rather than just contractors.
The Next Frontier: “Battle Of The Bay”
The next major undertaking is the “Battle Of The Bay” in San Francisco – an open-air boxing event that aims to break the sport`s live attendance record. Pereira envisions 150,000 people gathering outside the Civic Center Plaza, surpassing the 135,000 who witnessed Tony Zale vs. Billy Pryor in Juneau Park, Milwaukee, back in 1941.
This isn`t just about packing a venue; it`s about crafting an experience. The ring will be front and center before City Hall, complemented by music, a “fan engagement village,” diverse food offerings, and various zones – “like a Glastonbury vibe.” Crucially, tickets will be “really affordable,” reinforcing their commitment to accessibility.
A Foundation Built on Sports Event Excellence
iVisit Boxing`s bold moves are not born out of naivety but from a robust 25-year foundation in large-scale sports event management. Their journey began in Wales, working with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on iconic events like the Six Nations and World Cup. Pereira notes the profound similarity between the passionate community engagement in Welsh rugby and boxing`s potential. This experience then expanded to football (Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United and City) and cricket, cementing their expertise in orchestrating stadium-filling spectacles.
This rich pedigree positioned them perfectly when approached by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh to market the first Fury-Usyk fight. It was, as Pereira describes, “an arrival” – a culmination of decades of learning applied to the pinnacle of boxing.
The Future: “I Was There” Moments
With San Francisco as the next ambitious stop, iVisit Boxing already has its sights set on other traditional “old-school fight towns” like New York, Detroit, Boston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. The vision remains consistent: great boxing, coupled with unparalleled entertainment, offering value for money and a sense of uniqueness that carves out moments for the history books.
“You’re going to watch great boxing but also be entertained. It will offer value for money and a sense of uniqueness – something for the history books. We want to be a purveyor of ‘I was there’ moments.” – Ed Pereira, CEO, iVisit Boxing.
iVisit Boxing is more than an event organizer; it`s a disruptor, challenging the status quo and proving that boxing can be both an elite sport and a widespread community celebration. By blending high-stakes pugilism with a festival atmosphere and making it genuinely accessible, they are indeed bringing boxing back to the people, one audacious spectacle at a time.
