The Boxing Capitals of the World

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Boxing is one of the most universally loved sports in the world and big fight nights don’t only make millions for the boxers themselves, but for the cities that host them.

Over the last few years we’ve seen more and more fights move to the likes of Saudi Arabia, as the country looks to establish itself as a fight capital. But, ultimately, it’s far from it.

Around the world there are some truly iconic cities for big fight nights, and while some of the most famous fights may have taken place in the likes of the Congo and Manila, there are cities that time and time again see big fights return, as well as providing a platform for fighters to go on to become world champions…

 

London

British boxing has always been a tradition and for hundreds of years the art of pugilism has been a popular pastime in terms of both participation and viewing.

Across the city there has some huge venues both past and present that have held iconic fights, from the old Wembley to the new, the O2 to the tiny York Hall, which has seen many British fighters earn their crust including the likes of Ricky Hatton, Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury, the current heavyweight champion of the world.

The city is also constantly evolving in terms of venues too, with the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium expected to be the next big thing when it comes to British boxing.

 

Las Vegas

Tyson Fury recently claimed that Vegas was his new home as a boxer and has even bought a house there. But Las Vegas is home to many more boxers than just the Gypsy King.

Las Vegas is the home of the big fight these days, and tens of thousands of people flock to the city during fight week to not only watch the fight in the likes of the MGM Grand or the T-Mobile Arena, but to also enjoy the party atmosphere and of course the gambling.

The huge array of promo codes in the city sees people flock to the casino floors, many of which try a dollar or two on those huge progressive jackpot slots. But of course, away from the slots, or even online slots in Nevada, it’s all about fight night.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. made it his home during his career, while the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, George Foreman and Marvin Hagler have all fought there, to name just a few.

 

New York

Is there a more iconic venue for boxing in the world than Madison Square Garden?

New York is a hotspot of boxing. In fact, boxing runs through the city’s veins. The first ever televised boxing match in colour was held in the Garden, as Joey Giardello knocked out Willie Tory, while it’s also held fights such as:

  • Rocky Marciano v Joe Louis
  • Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier
  • Joe Calzaghe v Roy Jones Jr.
  • Anthony Joshua v Andy Ruiz Jr.

 

And of course many more. It’s of course the Fight of the Century between Ali and Frazier which is perhaps most notable though. The venue hosted two of the three fights between the pair, both of which went down in history as two of the best.

Elsewhere in the city, the likes of the Radio City Music Hall, Shea Stadium, Ebbets Field, the Singer Bowl and many more have all hosted major fights down the years.

Today, New York is still a huge boxing city and fighters from all over the world dream of playing Madison Square Garden, it’s the pinnacle of any career.

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