THIS weekend will see fight cards in North America, Europe, Central Asia and Oceania take centre stage, reflecting the global appeal that boxing has cultivated over the years.
Gone are the days when every fighter was compelled to showcase their skills in Las Vegas, Nevada, where each blockbuster event was once expected to take place.
The American market, of course, is arguably still just as important for the sport. But at the same time, we are beginning to see the emergence of new territories which, until recently, have largely been starved of televised boxing shows.
Australia, in particular, has put its appetite for the sweet science firmly on display in recent years, with IBF world cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia being among those that have injected plenty of excitement into the nation’s boxing scene.
This Sunday, though, will see another Australian star, Tim Tszyu, look to put his career back on track with a victory over Joey Spencer.
More than anything, the support that Tszyu and Opetaia have received shows that, when given the opportunity to headline a card in front of their home fans, fighters are able to amplify the viewership of boxing in places where, traditionally, promoters have been reluctant to expand their businesses.
This, in turn, can only have a positive impact on the grassroots of boxing, encouraging greater participation among those who have previously expressed little interest in the sport.
Along with Australia, Kazakhstan is a nation where, despite boasting an decorated history in the amateur ranks, the professional scene has been somewhat neglected by promoters.
But now, with unbeaten middleweight king Zhanibek Alimkhanuly returning to defend his IBF and WBO world titles against Anauel Ngamissengue this Saturday, there could be a changing of the tides.
While amateur boxing has long been celebrated in Kazakhstan, the success of Alimkhanuly and two-time Olympic champion Bakhodir Jalolov – who now looks to make his mark as a pro – could quite easily inspire the next generation of fighters to transition into the paid ranks sooner rather than later.
But ultimately, the diverse range of locations now appearing on the boxing calendar can only arrive as a refreshing change for fighters and fans alike.
