British promoter takes aim at influencer boxing: "It’s everything boxing was supposed to stand against"

Kevin Maree calls influencer boxing a circus

Manchester boxing manager, Kevin Maree, has taken to social media to voice his frustrations and genuine concerns for influencer boxing, which has dominated headlines in the last few days with the Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall fight approaching this weekend on Saturday June 13.

During the build-up there has been altercations between Stacks and Jordan McCann, who call themselves 'Britain's Hardest Man' and 'a former gangster', respectively.

Kevin of Maree Boxing wrote: “I’m genuinely gutted by some of the things I’ve seen this week.

“Influencer boxing isn’t just bad for the sport — it’s everything boxing was supposed to stand against.

“Boxing used to mean something: discipline, respect, skill, pride.

“The most honest conversation two men can have.

“This is a circus!

“A group of attention-seekers playing dress-up as fighters, chasing clicks instead of earning respect — and worst of all, genuinely believing they belong in the same space as professionals who’ve dedicated their lives to this craft.

“Look at Soccer Aid — celebrities step onto a football pitch, have a laugh, and openly admit they’re miles off the real level. There’s humility in that.

“This? This is delusion.

“A pack of clout-chasing influencers and TikTok clowns who wouldn’t last three rounds in a real gym, strutting around with no discipline, no technique, and no understanding of what this sport actually demands.

“What we’re watching isn’t boxing. 

“It’s ego, chaos, and ignorance being rewarded with a platform.

“Every time people tune in, share it, or promote it, they’re helping drag the sport further into the gutter.

“This doesn’t grow boxing. It degrades it.

“It strips away everything that made it great and replaces it with noise, nonsense, and narcissism.

“At some point, people need to stop pretending this is harmless fun.

“It’s not.

“It’s killing the integrity of the sport — piece by piece.

“Enough is enough.”

GBN Editor, Tim Rickson, agreed with the statement, “What Kevin said is absolutely spot on. I have been saying for some time now that a death is imminent in MisFits. The non-boxers taking part are not always capable of defending themselves due to their lack of skill and experience. Some of the participants have shocked me with their performances, and I cannot understand why these coaches are putting them in that ring when they are so terrible at boxing. It's so dangerous, someone is going to get seriously hurt. I'm certain that there will be a fatality very soon. These guys are playing at boxing and that is a very, very dangerous thing to do. And silly. The sport requires respect and none of the people involved in this circus are treating it with any respect and that will result in serious injuries.”

Maree Boxing's next event is being held on Saturday, 1 August 2026 at the Oldham Leisure Centre in Manchester, featuring a dozen local fighters on the stacked bill, topped by 11-0 welterweight Connor Ward.