WHO ARE the most influential people in boxing?
Eighteen months on from our last countdown, Boxing News has once again gone behind closed doors to thrash out the 50 most powerful figures in the sport today. After heated debate and hours of discussion, the BN team has pulled together the definitive list – but will you agree?
Over the next two days we’ll reveal the names shaking up the fight game, from number 50 right down to the one person pulling the biggest strings of all. Expect shocks, snubs and maybe even a few familiar faces holding firm at the top.
We start the countdown right here with places 50 to 41…
50. Bruce Trampler
One of the most respected matchmakers in boxing history, Trampler has been with Top Rank for decades and remains central to the company’s success. Though working largely behind the scenes, he remains a pivotal figure and one of the sport’s true fight-making maestros.
49. Anthony Joshua
Joshua’s status as a major commercial player dimmed in defeat to Daniel Dubois last September, and more so with his subsequent inactivity. But while ‘AJ’ is undoubtedly nearing the end of his career, when and if he fights again, it will still do huge business.
48. George Rose
Former rugby league player Rose is Australia’s leading promoter at a time when the country is enjoying a boxing boom. His stable straddles both the purists’ and casuals’ markets, with the likes of the Tszyu brothers and Sam Goodman on his books, alongside the crossover commercial behemoth Paul Gallen.
47. Umar Kremlev
Kremlev took a big hit when his IBA was stripped of the right to administer Olympic boxing, which the IOC handled itself at Paris 2024. But the IBA continue to organise other major international tournaments, and their nascent IBA.Pro division is gaining momentum in the paid ranks.
46. Sampson Lewkowicz
The promoter credited as the man who ‘discovered’ Manny Pacquiao, bringing him to the US and setting him on the path to becoming one of the biggest stars in all of sport, Lewkowicz continues to helm the careers of some of boxing’s top operators. Active since the 1970s and now 74 years old, Lewkowicz currently counts David Benavidez, Mirco Cuello and the Fundora siblings among his clients.
45. Eric Gomez
Golden Boy Promotions president Gomez is the steady hand Oscar De La Hoya needs by his side. Guiding superstars such as Ryan Garcia isn’t easy, but Gomez continues to keep GBP relevant with high-profile events and a strong stable of talent. His influence remains vital to GBP’s ongoing presence in the US market.
44. Faisal Barafat
As CEO of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Barafat has become one of boxing’s most powerful figures almost overnight. With Riyadh now the sport’s leading hub, hosting everything from heavyweight blockbusters to undisputed clashes, Barafat oversees the machine funding it all. His debut in the Top 50 reflects the sport’s financial shift toward the Middle East.
43. Margaret Goodman
VADA founder and chair Goodman has long been a leading voice for clean sport. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association remains boxing’s gold standard, with rigorous testing protocols that bring accountability to a sport often shadowed by controversy. Her quiet authority endures, making her an essential and respected figure.
42. Nakisa Bidarian
Jake Paul’s right-hand man is a fresh face in boxing, helping turn the YouTuber into a bona fide attraction while also developing a stacked women’s roster at MVP. Bidarian ruffles feathers, but his business-savvy approach is reaching new audiences and carving out space for his fighters. Alongside Paul, he is determined to make MVP a lasting force in the sport.
41. Dana White
The UFC kingpin has long flirted with boxing and, with Zuffa Boxing now active, his presence is set to grow. Working alongside Turki Alalshikh, White will oversee the Canelo vs Crawford blockbuster on September 13 – an extraordinary promotional debut. Outspoken and influential, he could disrupt boxing’s landscape further with the new TKO Boxing league and future mega-events.
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