Plans have been unveiled for an ambitious boxing spectacle in San Francisco that organisers hope will become the most attended fight event in the sport’s history.
Live sports entertainment organisation iVisit Boxing (iVB) has announced proposals to transform San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza into a massive open-air boxing arena for a landmark event scheduled to take place on July 11. The event will be free to attend and streamed globally, with organisers aiming to attract a crowd that surpasses every previous boxing attendance record.
If successful, the event would eclipse the long-standing record of 135,132 spectators, set in 1941 when Tony Zale faced Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee. That figure has stood for more than eight decades, making iVB’s announcement one of the boldest initiatives in modern boxing promotion.
Civic Center Plaza to Become a Historic Boxing Venue
Civic Center Plaza, one of San Francisco’s most iconic public spaces, will be reimagined as a purpose-built boxing venue capable of hosting tens of thousands of spectators. Organisers say the location was chosen not only for its size and accessibility, but also for its cultural and historical significance within the city.
“This world-record attempt will belong to San Francisco,” said iVB chief executive Ed Pereira. “It belongs to the fans, the fighters, and the communities that make this city unique.”
Pereira added that the event reflects the organisation’s broader vision of making boxing more inclusive and community-driven, breaking away from traditional arena-only formats and expensive ticketing models.
“San Francisco’s commitment to public engagement perfectly aligns with our belief that boxing should be built around its supporters,” he said.
Record-Breaking Ambitions Amid Industry Buzz
Speculation has already begun regarding the potential fight card. Reports have suggested that unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and former world champion Deontay Wilder could headline the event. However, sources have indicated that no agreement is currently in place for such a bout, and organisers have not confirmed any fighter participation at this stage.
Despite the uncertainty around specific matchups, iVB insists that the focus of the July event is scale, accessibility, and redefining how boxing is experienced by live audiences around the world.
The organisation believes that by staging fights in open public spaces and removing financial barriers, boxing can reach a new generation of fans and restore its reputation as a sport rooted in the community.
A Year-Long Boxing Expansion Strategy
The San Francisco event is set to mark the beginning of a wider expansion plan by iVB. The organisation has announced intentions to stage 24 boxing cards over the next 12 months, starting in March.
Its first official event is expected to be revealed in early February, with a formal news conference scheduled to take place later that month in Las Vegas. At that event, iVB plans to outline its initial schedule and long-term strategy for the sport.
As part of its broadcasting plans, iVB has also secured a multi-fight distribution agreement that will see its events streamed online, aiming to reach a global audience while maintaining free access for viewers.
Redefining Boxing’s Relationship With Fans
iVB has positioned itself as a disruptor within the boxing industry, promoting what it describes as an “iconic” series of events designed to reconnect the sport with everyday fans.
By prioritising large-scale public venues, free access, and global streaming, the organisation hopes to challenge traditional pay-per-view models and expand boxing’s cultural footprint.
Whether the July 11 event succeeds in breaking the all-time attendance record remains to be seen, but its announcement has already generated significant attention within the boxing world.
If successful, the San Francisco showcase could mark a historic moment — not only for boxing attendance figures, but for how major combat sports events are staged and experienced in the modern era.
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