Boxing
The next step in boxing? Super Bowl halftime fight
Published
1 month agoon
Boxing is already making its way onto the sport’s biggest stages, but its next move could be the most ambitious ever.
After appearing alongside Bad Bunny at Super Bowl LX, the sport has entered territory that few would have thought possible even a few years ago. The involvement of unified super welterweight champion Xander Zayas and rising prospect Emiliano Vargas raised an obvious question.
Could boxing take the next step and organize a fight during the break of the largest sporting event in the world?
Is it possible?
The Super Bowl halftime lasts about 30 minutes, much longer than the standard NFL halftime, but remains tightly controlled. This window typically allows for a performance of 12 to 14 minutes after staging and breakdowns are taken into account.
The boxing setup presents a different challenge – and potentially a more productive one. The ring can be transported to site, secured and cleaned more quickly than a full concert production with streamlined logistics.
They would likely have to be removed or significantly reduced unless the NFL grants an extension. Under current conditions, only low format competitions would fit into the existing break structure.
What might work
A conventional ten or twelve round fight would be unrealistic. A full-length fight would require at least an hour, taking into account rounds, breaks and broadcast commitments.
However, the shorter format is profitable. Competitions consisting of four rounds and two-minute rounds can be easily conducted in the current window.
By special dispensation, this may include a fight consisting of eight rounds and two-minute rounds. At this rate, the fight itself would last about 16 minutes. Reducing the breaks to 30 seconds brings the total time closer to 20 minutes.
Add five minutes for preparation, and by entering the ring simultaneously instead of conventional exits, the entire sequence could realistically fit into a 30-minute break.
In such a scenario, a tightly choreographed exhibition or star fight becomes not only possible, but also practical – provided the NFL is willing to adapt its structure to accommodate special presentations.
A precedent during the break
Combat sports have already touched the Super Bowl stage. WWE once held a match to coincide with the break, offering a version of what boxing could try if a live fight in an arena proved unfeasible.
The event, known as , aired on January 31, 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII, after being taped a few days earlier at the Tucson Convention Center in Arizona.
Even then, the match was not broadcast live in the stadium. With halftime advertising time valued at millions of dollars, the main barrier is economics alone. The fact that WWE only tried this idea once suggests that the limitations are not only logistical, but also commercial.
In the case of boxing, this leaves an alternative. If the fight cannot take place in the arena, it can still be scheduled to coincide with the break, providing the same turning point without these restrictions.
The bigger picture
Boxing has already shown a willingness to move beyond conventional disciplines. As Saudi Arabia investigates events in places like Times Square, Alcatraz and even the Pyramids of Giza, the boundaries of where fighting can take place are rapidly expanding.
Against this backdrop, the Super Bowl becomes an obvious goal, not an outlandish idea.
The key question remains whether the NFL would ever allow the fight to be made available on its global platform. However, from a logistical point of view and with the right format, the concept is now within reach and at the right opportunity.
It may simply be a matter of time, and the first grave test may come sooner than many expect.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
You may like
Boxing
The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma
Published
55 minutes agoon
April 24, 2026
Moses Itauma appears to have a fresh fight date set as he continues his march towards the heavyweight throne, with talk turning to who will walk through the ropes with him.
Itauma has never fought more than six rounds in his 14-fight professional career, but now he finds himself one step away from fighting for the coveted heavyweight crown. which may occur before the end of the year.
It has been reported that the 21-year-old will headline the O2 Arena in London on Saturday, July 25 in a fight that will ideally be another step forward in the competition.
Promoter Frank Warren didn’t have time to catch up with the youthful talent, claiming that many heavyweights had either rejected the fight altogether or overestimated themselves. Itauma’s future depends on strategically selecting players, increasing his exposure and attracting opponents who can bring fresh aspects to his game. There were many suggestions for good candidates, and Andy Ruiz Jr was mentioned as a hard-wearing and experienced operator by the likes of Tony Bellew.
However, when asked if he would be willing to compete in his opponent’s corner, the former unified heavyweight ruler, who shocked the world by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2019, said: Casino.org that he would like at least two fights to get rid of the rust in the ring.
“Of course I’m not backing down from any fight, but I want to be ready to fight. I want to fight at least two fights first. Then, if they put me against him, I’ll be ready and it will be a great fight.
“If you combine the Mexican fighting style, which is about moving forward and not being afraid of getting hit, with his style, I think it will be an intriguing fight. So we’ll see if he succeeds or not.”
“If I’m 100% and in shape, I don’t think there’s anyone who can beat me. But I think me and Itauma could do it. I feel like I could beat those guys (AJ and Itauma).
“Other than that, I was like Patrick Star, I was just resting under a rock while everyone else was getting beat up and taking losses and stuff like that. So I’m going to come in fresh and come in differently than before.”
The search is on for Itauma’s next foe, which will be his first headlining appearance in London.
Jones was billed as one of the company’s rising names, and the hometown headline gave him a apparent platform on DAZN. The organizers don’t randomly hand out the main events. It’s a sign that Golden Boy wants to see if Jones can move from prospect talks into rival territory. This part still needs to be proven.
Jones boasts an attractive record and clear physical tools, but his rise has come without a victory to dispel doubts. He showed strength against his chosen opponent, but astute observers were still waiting for a performance that would confirm he was more than just a well-managed, undefeated fighter.
For this reason, Gualtieri is a useful opponent. The German won the vacant IBF middleweight title in 2023 by defeating Esquiva Falcao before losing in a unification fight to Zhanibek Alimkhanuly. He has since bounced back with four straight wins and brings experience, size and composure.
It’s not the most perilous fight in the division, but that’s how Jones should be judged. If he is a solemn middleweight, as Golden Boy claims, then a former champion with a rebounding streak is the type of guy he should beat, and beat it decisively.
A close victory would keep Jones going, but it wouldn’t silence him much. A flat display would raise louder questions than a press release.
The middleweight category needs recent names. Jones now has a chance to show that he belongs.
Golden Boy has taken a sluggish approach throughout Jones’ career, but at some point you have to turn up the heat or fans will lose interest. From a promoter’s point of view, this is a protected pairing that looks like a step forward.
By pairing Jones with a former world champion, Golden Boy can claim to be fighting a world-class talent. In fact, they chose a guy who has already played at the highest level and doesn’t have the one-punch power to keep Amari from taking him to the ground.
If Amari truly is the next huge star to come out of Virgil Hunter’s gym, he should blow Gualtieri out of the water. Anything less will only confirm that it is still protected.
Robert Segal is a boxing reporter at Boxing News 24 with over a decade of experience covering fight news, previews and analysis. Known for his first-hand reporting and in-ring perspective, he delivers authoritative coverage of champions, challengers and emerging talent from around the world.
Boxing
Floyd Mayweather confirmed who he will fight before his rematch with Manny Pacquiao
Published
5 hours agoon
April 24, 2026
Floyd Mayweather is officially scheduled to return to the ring this summer, ahead of his clash with Manny Pacquiao later this year.
The shocker was that earlier this year it was announced that Mayweather would end his nearly decade-long retirement and return to competition face former foe Pacquiao on September 19 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
However, doubts have been raised about the fight in recent weeks, with Mayweather claiming the fight will be an exhibition rather than a professional fight, while Pacquiao insists it will be a fully sanctioned fight.
As the confusion surrounding this fight continues, one thing is certain that Mayweather is expected to compete before his fight with Pacquiao, after he confirmed details about the June exhibition.
Mayweather was scheduled to fight both Mike Tyson and Mike Zambidis this year, and while there is no further information on Tyson’s fight, Mayweather posted on social media officially reveal the details of his fight with Zambidis.
“IT’S OFFICIAL. June 27 – Athens, Greece. History will be made. I’m stepping into the ring with Mike Zambidis. One night. One stage. An all-out fight you can’t miss.”
Zambidis is a Greek kickboxing legend who has won multiple world titles during his career in the sport, but has only competed professionally once, winning in March 2019.
The Zambidis fight gives Mayweather a chance to get busy, but most boxing fans will be keen to resolve the issues surrounding his fight with Pacquiao as the two boxing legends look to resume their rivalry since their first meeting in 2015.
The former heavyweight champion admits he is not yet ready to fight Moses Itauma
Amari Jones headlines May 22 vs. Vincenzo Gualtieri
Anthony Joshua NEARLY PUNCHES SECURITY
Trending
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card



