The Bold Plan to Shake Up Boxing: Drafts, Deals, and Drama

By Billie Sloane, IFL TV

Let’s shake up the boxing world with an idea that’ll either make you cheer or cringe—a fighter draft system. Imagine this: top amateur talent getting picked by promotions in a dramatic draft event, much like the NFL. Fighters would be evenly distributed, ensuring no single promotion hoards all the star power. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But here’s the big question: could it work in a sport as fiercely individualistic as boxing?

The Case for a Draft: Leveling the Playing Field

Let’s be honest—boxing is a business, and that business is dominated by a few big players. Matchroom, Queensberry, Top Rank, and PBC often hoard the best fighters, leading to lopsided rosters. A draft could change all that, distributing top-tier talent more evenly and making sure every promotion has its share of rising stars.

Imagine a scenario where every promotion gets equal access to Olympic gold medalists or world amateur champions. Suddenly, the matchmaking becomes more competitive, and fans get to see the best fighting the best without endless promotional roadblocks.

Eddie Hearn himself hinted at the frustrations of promotional monopolies in an IFL TV interview: “Sometimes the biggest fights don’t happen because of politics, not because fighters don’t want them.” A draft system could eliminate some of those barriers, forcing promotions to share the wealth.

And let’s not forget the spectacle. Picture the drama of a live televised draft, with promoters vying for the next big thing. Fans would tune in to see who gets picked first, who slips through the cracks, and which promotion makes the boldest moves. It’s an instant marketing goldmine.

The Downsides: Is Boxing Too Individualistic for a Draft?

But let’s not kid ourselves—this idea isn’t without its flaws. Boxing isn’t the NFL. It’s not a team sport where players are interchangeable cogs in a larger machine. Fighters are individuals, with unique styles, personalities, and career goals. Forcing them into a draft system might feel like stripping them of their autonomy.

Would fighters lose the ability to choose a promoter who aligns with their vision? Could a fighter who thrives under Eddie Hearn’s showmanship adapt to the more traditional approach of Bob Arum? These are real concerns.

As Tyson Fury once said in an interview, “A fighter’s career is short. You’ve got to make the right moves for yourself, not for anyone else.” Would a draft system rob fighters of that crucial decision-making power?

The Great Boxing Draft Debate

Let’s start with the good. A draft system could bring fairness to a sport notorious for its uneven playing field. Right now, top promotions like Matchroom, Queensberry, Top Rank, and PBC hold the lion’s share of elite talent, leaving smaller promoters scrambling for scraps. By distributing amateur stars evenly across promotions, a draft would ensure that no single player dominates the market. The result? A healthier, more competitive ecosystem where fans get the matchups they’ve been begging for. And let’s not forget the sheer spectacle of it all—a live, televised draft where the next Anthony Joshua or Claressa Shields gets picked could generate excitement that spills over into the wider sports world, drawing in new fans and giving young fighters immediate exposure.

But then, there’s the other side of the coin. Boxing isn’t football or basketball; it’s not a team sport where players slot into predefined roles. Fighters are individuals with unique styles, ambitions, and career goals. Forcing them into a draft could strip away their autonomy, leaving them stuck with promotions that don’t align with their vision. Imagine a slick stylist like Devin Haney drafted into a promotion known for prioritizing sluggers—it’s a recipe for career stagnation. Fighters like Terence Crawford have already spoken openly about the challenges of being with the wrong promoter, and a draft system could multiply these issues.

And let’s not ignore the logistical headaches. How would the draft order be determined? What criteria would be used to rank fighters? The whole process could end up being so convoluted that it adds another layer of confusion to an already fractured sport. For a system like this to work, boxing would need a level of centralization and cooperation that currently feels like a pipe dream.

The idea of a draft might sound exciting on the surface, but it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it promises fairness and fan-friendly matchmaking; on the other, it risks undermining the very individuality that makes boxing so compelling. The question is: does the potential reward outweigh the risks?

Collaboration is Key

If boxing wants to evolve, the power players need to set their egos aside and work together. Look no further than Turki Al Alshikh and the Riyadh Season events for proof that collaboration can change the game. Under Al Alshikh’s leadership, boxing’s biggest promotions—Matchroom, Queensberry, and Top Rank—have come together to stage blockbuster cards that transcend promotional rivalries. Events like the Fury vs. Ngannou showdown and the upcoming heavyweight mega-nights are proving that when the sport’s giants unite, fans win.

This kind of cooperation could be the blueprint for the future. Instead of splintering the talent pool or engaging in petty turf wars, boxing promotions should embrace the concept of shared success. Imagine the possibilities: unified rankings, cross-promotional tournaments, and the kind of dream matchups fans have been clamoring for. Turki Al Alshikh has shown that it’s possible to prioritize the sport over individual interests, but will the rest of the industry follow suit?

The draft system could be another step toward uniting the fractured world of boxing. By introducing a structure that distributes talent evenly, it might force promotions to collaborate in ways they’ve avoided for decades. But here’s the kicker—would they even agree to it? Or would the old-school resistance to change derail yet another opportunity to modernize the sport?

Collaboration is the key to boxing’s future, but will the sport’s entrenched powerhouses embrace the challenge? Or will they continue to prioritize short-term gains over the long-term health of the sport? As always, the answer lies in their willingness to adapt—or be left behind.

What Would a Draft Mean for Fighters?

At the heart of any draft system lies its impact on the fighters themselves. For many, such a system could offer unprecedented clarity and opportunity. Young amateur stars, especially those who’ve proven themselves on the world stage, would no longer face the uncertainty of navigating boxing’s fragmented promotional landscape. Instead, they’d step into a structured system that guarantees a clearer path to success.

One of the potential perks? Sign-on bonuses. Much like in other sports drafts, top amateur fighters could secure lucrative financial packages right out of the gate, giving them the stability to focus entirely on their craft. This could eliminate the all-too-common reality of young fighters having to juggle multiple jobs while trying to build their careers—a struggle that often derails promising talents before they even reach their potential.

A draft could also provide fighters with a more predictable career trajectory. With promotions evenly distributing talent, boxers might no longer need to fight tooth and nail just to get noticed. Instead, they’d have defined opportunities to showcase their skills against evenly matched opponents, climbing the ranks in a transparent system that rewards performance over politics.

And let’s not ignore the potential for greater security. Boxing is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to income, with sporadic fight schedules and fluctuating purses. A draft system could help standardize contracts, providing fighters with more consistent paychecks and benefits—something the sport desperately needs.

But is it all sunshine and roses for the fighters? Not necessarily. While a draft might offer stability, it could also strip fighters of their autonomy. Would an amateur phenom like Vasiliy Lomachenko, known for making bold career decisions, thrive if he were forced to align with a promoter who didn’t share his vision? Would a fighter from a smaller boxing nation have their unique style nurtured, or would they get lost in the shuffle?

Should Boxing Promotions Invest in Fighters’ Security?

The introduction of a draft raises another critical question: Should boxing promotions do more to provide security and support for fighters, or does the sport’s individualistic nature mean athletes must fend for themselves?

Promotions are already minting millions from headline bouts, so why isn’t more of that revenue invested in the fighters’ long-term well-being? Standardized contracts, health benefits, and retirement plans could all become part of a draft system, offering fighters a safety net that’s currently absent in the sport.

But here’s the counterargument: Boxing has always been about self-determination. It’s a sport where the fighters who succeed are the ones who take risks, think strategically, and make smart career moves. Would a draft system risk turning boxing into a homogenized, overly controlled environment, stripping fighters of the very grit and independence that makes the sport so compelling?

A Pathway to a Stronger Sport—or More Challenges?

For all its potential, a draft system could also highlight a troubling gap in boxing: the disparity in opportunities between fighters from established markets like the US, UK, and Mexico and those from less prominent boxing nations. Would a draft level the playing field, or would it simply reinforce the existing hierarchies, with fighters from smaller nations still struggling to break through?

The sport has a golden opportunity to evolve, and a draft could be part of the answer. By offering fighters more stability and clarity while ensuring fans get fairer matchups, it might just push boxing into a new era. But will the industry’s power players have the vision—and the courage—to make it happen?

The debate is open, fight fans. Would a draft be a revolution for boxing, or is it a risk not worth taking? And most importantly, how can we ensure that any changes put fighters first, giving them the respect and security they’ve long deserved? 

Let’s keep the gloves up and the conversation going.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep the debate alive. After all, in boxing, every fight starts with a good argument.

Billie Sloane takes a ‘no holes barred’ approach as he has his say on some of the major talking points in the crazy world that is boxing.