Exclusive: Top Promoter Asif Targeting Exciting New Boxing Concept

A new boxing concept, which sees teams of fighters from different cities or regions compete against each other to decide the UK’s toughest city, could soon be unveiled if one of the country’s most ambitious promoters gets his way.

Boxing promoter Izzy Asif, of GBM, revealed he is exploring the idea with other interested parties as part of a drive to generate even more interest among casual sports fans in the most demanding discipline of all.

Rivals companies Matchroom and Queensberry have enjoyed huge publicity since, at the behest of Saudi Arabian entertainments chief Turki Alalshikh agreeing to stage ‘5v5’ shows which see members of their respective stables do battle in the ring.

North vs. South

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom, Asif confirmed he wants to develop that idea on a much grander and more parochial scale, saying: “North versus south, cities versus cities - We had a meeting with our broadcaster DAZN recently and stuff like this was mentioned.

“It’s all about building momentum and fan bases. There’s a really good chance something like this could happen and it brings eyes to the sport."

“It’s important to respect boxing’s traditions and I want to do that too, because I’m a boxing purist. But any formation that doesn’t go down the traditional boxing route, without disrespecting boxing’s traditions and upsetting the purists, is all good in my eyes.”

“Doing something like that, it could bring people into boxing who might not usually watch it too,” Asif continued. 

“We’ve got to keep developing our sport to compete with things like football and rugby and boxing has got a real momentum now."

“We’ve spoken about something like this and, seriously, it’s not a far-fetched idea at all. We’ve seen the ‘Five v Fives’ and heard all the talk about maybe doing Britain versus the USA. Something like this could definitely work."

“This is a brilliant sport and it’s riding high at the moment. If we can develop it even more, bring even more people to it without losing what it’s actually all about, then why not?"

“There’s things we can do, with the framework, that don’t change boxing itself. There’s been talk and it was asked if something like this might be possible.”

Collection of Top Talent

As well as assembling a burgeoning collection of talent from his home city of Sheffield, including exciting middleweight prospect Shakiel Thompson, Asif also works with a number of combatants from nearby Leeds.

Jack Bateson, whose challenge to IBF and WBO European champion Danny Quartermaine ended in a technical draw on Saturday night, Koby McNamara and former Olympian Qais Ashfaq all hail from the West Yorkshire metropolis and, given their popularity and ticket selling potential, could prove valuable additions to GBM’s proposed project. The same goes for Amaar Akbar of nearby Dewsbury.

“There are some great talents coming through, which means we can put on such strong cards,” Asif said.

“People are willing to take on genuine fifty-fifties and those get attention, they are what the people want."

“Can you imagine if we did Sheffield versus Leeds? What a rivalry that would be. Amazing."

“Where would we stage the show, though? We’d have to do it like a play-off - one in Sheffield and then one in Leeds. That’s something that would definitely excite people.”