The influencer scene continues to blur the lines between boxing and pro wrestling.
Whether you know it as crossover, YouTuber, or something else entirely, the contests between content creators are a big part of modern day boxing’s story.
Kicked off by names like Jake Paul, his brother Logan, and KSI, the events see big names from social media fight with little to no ring experience. They’ve offered some genuine talent, but plenty of farcical affairs, too.
Misfits – fast becoming this arm of the sport’s premier outfit – has announced its latest twist on the traditional scrap. Tag teams.
After their introduction of a ‘mystery opponent’ last time out where the crowd were left guessing until the last moment, the KSI backed project in association with Mams Taylor and Kalle Sauerland, is putting two teams of two fighters against each other.
The concept will air on their upcoming March 4 card, broadcast by DAZN, who recently signed up the promotional outfit for five years.
Taylor said that he was well aware some people would hate it, but he’s convinced just as many will love it.
“Tag team, baby. Tag team. And this is the thing – people will hate on it, people will love it, people will understand, some won’t. But, at the end of the day, this is what Misfits is about.
We’ve got serious competition in there. We have fun. We have antics. We have sports entertainment, and that’s what we’re about. So get used to it, love it, lump it – whatever you want. But at the end of the day were here to stay and we’re here to create some noise in an area which it’s never been done before.
Real combat sports with real entertainment, on another level.”
𝗗𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗘 💥
Groundbreaking TAG TEAM fight goes down in Telford, live on @mf_daznxseries as former foes COMBINE 🔥 @ksi | @mamstaylorpic.twitter.com/7tVWdmnukj
— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) January 30, 2023
Around the time of the announcement, KSI tweeted that ‘boxing purists ain’t gonna like this one’ – and he was right. Comments surrounding the tag team news included many calling it ‘disrespectful to the sport’, ‘pathetic’, and ’embarrassing.’ Some went as far to announce the cancellation of their DAZN subscription.
In the other corner, though, are the crossover fans – mostly brought to the sport in the last year or two by the big stars. They called the twist exciting and pointed out that established boxing has its own faults to worry about.
The announcement marks another step away from traditional boxing that will likely baffle and anger the purists into shouting about it. Isn’t that the point, after all?