In an era where live entertainment constantly reinvents itself, one company is taking the raw energy of boxing out of traditional arenas and into the very fabric of our cities. Welcome to the world of iVisit Boxing, where a fight isn`t just a match; it`s a meticulously crafted, community-driven spectacle.
Beyond the Ropes: A Vision for Community Boxing
Ed Pereira, CEO of iVisit Boxing, succinctly captures the ethos: “Boxing brings every element of society together. It’s a community sport.” This isn`t just a marketing slogan; it`s the operational blueprint for a company aiming to democratize access to high-stakes pugilism. iVisit Boxing, an offshoot of the quarter-century-old global marketing and live events firm iVisit Media, is on a mission to bring boxing “back to the community,” albeit with a grand, technologically sophisticated flourish.
While the name “iVisit” might not immediately resonate with every boxing aficionado, their fingerprints are undeniably on some of the most talked-about events in recent memory. They are the architects behind the scenes, transforming ambitious concepts into reality, often in locations that defy conventional event planning.
From Riyadh to Times Square: A Portfolio of Audacity
iVisit`s recent track record reads like a highlight reel of logistical triumphs and entertainment marvels:
- Ring Of Fire (May 2024, Riyadh): The highly anticipated Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury clash, a global event that captivated millions.
- Crawford vs. Madrimov (August 2023, Los Angeles): Riyadh Season`s inaugural overseas venture, a six-fight card that also featured a live concert from Eminem, demonstrating a clear pivot towards multi-faceted entertainment.
- Wembley Edition (September 2023, London): A staggering 98,128 fans packed Wembley for Daniel Dubois` stunning upset of Anthony Joshua, complemented by an exciting undercard and a performance by Liam Gallagher. This wasn`t just a fight; it was a cultural event in the ancestral home of British sport.
- Times Square Takeover (May 2024, New York): Perhaps their most audacious experiment, staging a boxing ring directly in New York’s iconic Times Square. Imagine the administrative labyrinth – “I had to get permits from 43 agencies,” Pereira recalled, highlighting consultations with Homeland Security, NYPD, and FDNY. The irony of “bringing boxing back to the community” by shutting down one of the world`s busiest intersections for a boxing spectacle featuring names like Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez is not lost on observers. Yet, they pulled it off.
These events, initially executed for clients like Riyadh Season, have emboldened iVisit Boxing to take the reins, moving from service provider to concept originator. The shift in their business model is clear: they now conceive the “I was there” moments and invite promoters to collaborate.
The Next Frontier: Breaking Records in the Bay
The company`s ambition shows no signs of waning. Currently in the pipeline is “Battle Of The Bay,” an open-air boxing extravaganza in San Francisco, designed not just to entertain, but to etch its name into the history books. Pereira aims to shatter the live attendance record for boxing, surpassing the 135,000 spectators at Tony Zale vs. Billy Pryor in Milwaukee in 1941.
“The San Francisco Mayor’s office is keen on doing what we did in New York, but on a much bigger scale,” says Pereira. “We’re looking to have 150,000 people outside the Civic Center Plaza.”
This event promises to be a spectacle, with the ring front and center before City Hall, complemented by live music, an expansive fan engagement village, diverse food offerings, and various zones – “like a Glastonbury vibe,” Pereira notes. Crucially, tickets will be “really affordable,” reinforcing the community-centric promise amidst the grandiosity.
From Rugby Pitches to Boxing Rings: A Legacy of Large-Scale Logistics
iVisit Boxing`s journey began with a different kind of intensity. Their genesis lies in a 25-year relationship with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), managing colossal events like the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup matches. This grounding in handling “big, stadium-filling events” in a nation where rugby is almost a religion provided invaluable lessons in community engagement and logistical precision.
This expertise then transitioned to football, working with Premier League giants like Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, and Manchester City, before extending to cricket and other sports. This deep reservoir of experience ultimately led to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh`s invitation for iVisit to market the Fury-Usyk fight. It was, as Pereira describes it, “an arrival” – a convergence of two decades of sports event mastery with the ultimate challenge in combat sports promotion.
A Future of “I Was There” Moments
With San Francisco as the next major milestone, iVisit Boxing has its sights set on a systematic revitalization of boxing across America`s traditional fight towns. New York, Detroit, Boston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles are all on the agenda. These cities, chosen for their “traditional, old-school fight town” heritage, will be infused with iVisit`s unique blend of high-octane boxing and immersive entertainment.
The objective is clear: offer “great boxing” combined with unparalleled entertainment, exceptional value, and a sense of uniqueness that secures a place in the annals of history. iVisit Boxing aims not merely to host events, but to be a “purveyor of `I was there` moments” – creating indelible memories for a new generation of boxing fans and, perhaps ironically, bringing the sport closer to the people by elevating it to a truly global, festival-like spectacle.
Tristan Blackwood