What makes one boxing venue better than another Most would argue that the venue itself is largely irrelevant so long as two quality boxers are facing off—even better if there’s a strong rivalry between them. Regardless of how the fight pans out, the primary ingredients for a memorable match are all about spirit and skill.
Still, that doesn’t mean the venue is unimportant. When it comes to weeding out the good from the great, there are a few core ingredients. One of the most important is whether a venue is geared toward boxing. The greatest venues in Vegas, for example, were both created specifically for the sport. Aside from purpose, size is also important. The more fans packed in, the more excitement.
Beyond the realm of purpose and size, there are a few other intangible elements that have made some venues more memorable than others. Let’s take a look at the world’s top boxing hotspots, breaking down which of the venues come out ahead in terms of providing the best spectatorship experience.
Las Vegas: MGM Grand
Many would contend that Las Vegas is one of boxing’s bonafide capitals—and for good reason. In the past, people connected Sin City to casinos and casino gaming. In the 1990s and early 2000s, games like blackjack weren’t yet available online at
sites like PokerStars Casino, which meant the Strip was one of the only places to double down and split aces. Today, blackjack and similar games can be accessed virtually—but that’s not the case with boxing.
Locations like the MGM Grand and Coliseum have hosted some of the world’s biggest matches. But what makes the MGM come out ahead of the Coliseum First, it’s about size. The MGM can host three times as many spectators. Second, it comes down to the sheer number of superfights hosted. The MGM claims bouts like Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, and Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II.
New York City: MSG
Despite the fact that Las Vegas is usually associated with the flashiest boxing fights, New York City’s Madison Square Garden is often hailed as one of the top sports venues in the world. This larger-than-life arena, nestled right in downtown Manhattan, has hosted matches between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, along with bouts featuring Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Mike Tyson. With a seating capacity of just over 20,000, it doesn’t get much better in terms of legacy and excitement.
London: York Hall
Across the Atlantic, London remains one of the most historically relevant cities in the world in terms of boxing legacy. Many consider York Hall to be the birthplace of modern boxing—and its got a long range of boxers on its list. This includes names ranging from David Haye
to Lennox Lewis, along with press conferences for newcomers like Logan Paul and KSI.
Saudi Arabia: Kingdom Arena
What makes a boxing city Many would argue its about infrastructure and big money—both are necessary to host a worthy fight that performs well in terms of PPV. Enter the Kingdom Arena, a location built in Riyadh with the goal of attracting some of the world’s biggest title fights. The Kingdom Arena is one of the world’s latest super-arenas, and is currently being converted into a football stadium.
Though its reign has been short as the venue for the Riyadh Season of boxing, reports state that
the now called-off Fury vs. Usyk fight was supposed to take place here this February. The Kingdom Arena has also hosted bouts between Anthony Joshua and Otto Wallin, along with Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker on December 23, 2023.
Special Mention: Estadio Azteca & Boardwalk Hall
Let’s round off the list with two special mentions: Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. The former deserves a mention because of its sheer size, allowing up to 130,000 visitors to watch matches live. Estadio Azteca has hosted more than a few Mexican legends, including Cesar Chavez Jr. and Erik Morales. Boardwalk Hall, on the other hand, represents boxing’s legacy in the US—and, in particular, Mike Tyson’s legacy. This is the location where he made his debut and began garnering coverage from pundits.
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