In January of 2016, according to info provided by BoxRec, there were 157 professional boxing events spread across 44 countries. The United States topped the list with 29 shows. The only other countries in double digits were Argentina (13), Mexico (11), and Thailand (10).
What do we make of this? On the surface, it refutes the often-heard refrain that boxing is dying. Globally there was a lot of activity. And keep in mind that January is traditionally a slow month. Promoters in many locales are indisposed to run shows in the coldest months when winter storms can wreak havoc with travel plans. Moreover, in many countries the month of December is associated with gift-giving, leaving folks with less disposable income. Years ago, many neighborhood fight clubs went dark around Christmas.
How does this compare with January in other years? To satisfy my curiosity, I went back ten years to January of 2006. What I found was somewhat disturbing.
Ten years ago, in 2006, there were 196 January shows spread across 42 countries. The drop-off from 2006 to 2016 would have been even more severe if not for the fact that there were only four Saturdays in January of 2006, whereas there were five Saturdays in January of this year. The United States housed 46 boxing shows in January of 2006 versus 29 in the month just passed.
This is a very imperfect study. The term "boxing show" covers a wide range of promotions -- from events in large, multi-purpose arenas to smokers at the Knights of Columbus hall. For all I know, attendance and gate receipts may have actually been higher in January of 2016.
On the surface, however, it appears that the slow erosion in the popularity of boxing has continued into the 21st century. Or am I reading too much into the findings of a very small sample?
What do we make of this? On the surface, it refutes the often-heard refrain that boxing is dying. Globally there was a lot of activity. And keep in mind that January is traditionally a slow month. Promoters in many locales are indisposed to run shows in the coldest months when winter storms can wreak havoc with travel plans. Moreover, in many countries the month of December is associated with gift-giving, leaving folks with less disposable income. Years ago, many neighborhood fight clubs went dark around Christmas.
How does this compare with January in other years? To satisfy my curiosity, I went back ten years to January of 2006. What I found was somewhat disturbing.
Ten years ago, in 2006, there were 196 January shows spread across 42 countries. The drop-off from 2006 to 2016 would have been even more severe if not for the fact that there were only four Saturdays in January of 2006, whereas there were five Saturdays in January of this year. The United States housed 46 boxing shows in January of 2006 versus 29 in the month just passed.
This is a very imperfect study. The term "boxing show" covers a wide range of promotions -- from events in large, multi-purpose arenas to smokers at the Knights of Columbus hall. For all I know, attendance and gate receipts may have actually been higher in January of 2016.
On the surface, however, it appears that the slow erosion in the popularity of boxing has continued into the 21st century. Or am I reading too much into the findings of a very small sample?
There were 157 boxing shows worldwide in January. What do we make of this?
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