The lack of cross-promotion has been a significant problem in boxing throughout the years. But, it is possible that the days of promoters refusing to work together could soon be over.
Sweet science fans know well the politics that have kept big fights from occurring and led to them happening far too late.
Boxing has suffered from a lack of cross-promotion over the past few years
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I think of the Fight of the Century between Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and the recently-retired Manny Pacquiao. Also, the mysterious clash between Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr.
A new player has emerged in boxing, and it is aiming to end the era of familiar faces and bring about significant change.
Probellum, a promotion that was recently launched, aims to revolutionize the sport by combining media content and promotional expertise.
They have made quick work of it, building promotional connections in Australia and the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This includes a multi-year agreement with Wasserman which was recently announced as part of Team Sauerland's acquisition.
Richard Schaefer (ex-CEO of Golden Boy Promotions) is the promoter. He told SunSport that he was going to be back in saddle and doing what he loves and what he does best.
"And that is to build fights, empower fighters, and create mega-events."
He said, "The strategic vision that had been put together, it instantly fit, philosophically, with what I stand up for."
Schaefer's dissatisfaction with the current boxing system and his desire to make new ground in the ever-changing world of global promotion played a major role in his decision for Probellum to be his face.
He stated, "The best fights do not happen." We want to work with everyone. That's Ali Shams Pour, founder of Probellum.
"We must think beyond our little playground and see the whole of the playground.
"And we must be able operate in that playground, not just in our sandbox. We must also build bridges.
These aren't just words. This is the vision and mission of the company: to build bridges with everyone and work together.
"If we have the great talent and a great fighter, then we don't always need to be our own promoter. They don't have to be on our own platforms.
"We want the fighters to be able to fight wherever they are able to make the biggest fights, and make the most money.
"And if it means entering into a cooperative promotion agreement, we will definitely do that.
"We don’t want to put a stumbling block in the way of a fighter, and we don’t want to hinder the sport of boxing."
Probellum will make decisions that are in the best interests of the fighter and not the promotion.
Schaefer stated that boxing is still behind other sports. We are changing this business model completely. This is a new approach in boxing.
"It has never happened in boxing that a promoter says, 'You know?' We're open to working with any promoter if you're an all-star fighter.
"We are willing to make a deal with you to promote you, because we want to empower you." This has never happened before.
"Once you are with a promoter you will be in that universe. We don't want just one universe. We want a large universe.
Probellum's only focus is to bring boxing fans what they want.
Promotion's primary goals include investing in the sport at grassroots level, and making sure young fighters around the world have an opportunity to compete.
Schaefer, ex-Golden Boy bigwig: "We believe that building up local talent at a grassroots level is really part the foundation of boxing."
"If you don't have the ability to be a local star, then how can you hope to be a national or international star." It is impossible.
"Investment in the grassroots and, to a lesser extent, the amateurs, is, I believe, absolutely crucial."
Performance centres will be part of this investment.
Schaefer stated that "Our goal was to have performance centers on all continents, and really give these young athletes an opportunity to train with the right nutrition and the right training.
Probellum is quick to get the ball rolling and will be staging a variety of cross-promotional events throughout the UK in November and December.
Schaefer was excited and said, "We're going to do a lot of stuff here in the UK and build other markets."
"In the coming weeks and months, you will see a lot more announcements about co-promotion agreements, grassroots fighting, empowering fighters, and network relationships.
"And, perhaps most important, the talent we are going to sign to Probellum.
"And the talent we're about to sign from all over the globe, I think, is going to take a lot people by surprise."
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