San Francisco, CA – The world of professional boxing is buzzing with news of an audacious plan to redraw the record books. Live sports entertainment organization iVisit Boxing (iVB) has officially announced intentions to host the most attended boxing event in history, transforming San Francisco’s historic Civic Center Plaza into a massive open-air arena on July 11th.
The ambitious undertaking seeks to eclipse the long-standing attendance record of 135,132, set way back in 1941 when Tony Zale and Billy Pryor faced off in Milwaukee’s Juneau Park. If successful, this San Francisco spectacle will become the new benchmark for live combat sports globally, a feat organizers believe will galvanize the city.
A Monumental Vision for Boxing's Future
iVB Chief Executive Ed Pereira emphasized the community-centric nature of the project. “This world-record attempt will belong to San Francisco,” Pereira stated in the announcement. “It belongs to its fans, its fighters and its communities. San Francisco's commitment to community and public engagement reflects iVB's belief that boxing should be built around its fans.”
The decision to use Civic Center Plaza, a location steeped in San Francisco history since its creation in 1911, signals a major commitment to public accessibility, even as organizers navigate the complex logistics of staging a major professional sporting event in a downtown public space. The entire card is slated to be broadcast live across the globe via YouTube, ensuring maximum viewership beyond the physical attendees.
The Undercard and Broadcast Strategy
While the potential for a record-breaking crowd captures immediate attention, the actual fight card remains a critical component of the event’s success. Speculation has been rife regarding potential headliners, with reports suggesting that WBA, IBF, and WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former champion Deontay Wilder could feature prominently.
However, BBC Sport understands that as of this announcement, no formal agreements are in place for Usyk or Wilder to participate in this specific July event. The focus for iVB appears to be on building a sustainable, high-profile series rather than relying solely on established megastars for their inaugural record attempt.
iVB has signed a multi-fight deal with YouTube to broadcast what they term an “iconic” series. This partnership solidifies a growing trend in combat sports towards direct-to-consumer digital streaming, bypassing traditional pay-per-view models for broader reach. The organization plans to stage an aggressive 24 boxing cards over the next 12 months, commencing in March.
The Road to July: Upcoming Announcements
Fans eager for concrete details on the fight schedule will have to wait until early February, when iVB is expected to unveil its first show details. A major news conference is also slated for later that month in Las Vegas, where the organization will likely announce its initial schedule and perhaps confirm some key talent acquisitions for the upcoming series.
This planned event is more than just a single night of boxing; it represents a significant strategic move by iVisit Boxing to position itself as a major disruptor in the sports entertainment landscape. By aiming for an attendance record previously thought untouchable, iVB is making a bold statement about its ambition and its belief in the enduring global appeal of high-stakes boxing.
The logistics involved in converting a major urban plaza into a safe, accessible, and functional boxing arena for potentially over 140,000 fans are immense, requiring close coordination with San Francisco city officials, law enforcement, and emergency services. The success of this venture will not only be measured by ticket sales but by the seamless execution of a massive public event.
For US sports fans accustomed to the grandeur of NFL stadiums or major arena fights, the idea of a world-record boxing crowd gathering in a city square offers a nostalgic yet thoroughly modern spectacle. As the July date looms, the boxing world watches closely to see if iVB can turn this ambitious vision into history, live from the heart of the Bay Area.
For more updates on the iVB series and boxing schedules, keep following BBC Sport’s dedicated Boxing section.
