Mendoza and Hearn: “We must bring the youngsters in boxing”

The first stop on the third day of the 99th Convention of the World Boxing Association (WBA) was with the President, Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, and Eddie Hearn, CEO of Matchroom Boxing. They talked about the current challenges boxing is facing during an interesting talk with the Colombian Journalist, Claudia Trejos.

This event was carried out virtually due to the current situation derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mendoza highlighted that boxing needs to make striking offers in order to be within young people’s agenda around the world.

“People often ask about the MMA competitions. But we must have an offer for them (young people). We need to create stories, build them, to attract them,” the WBA President said.

Eddie Hearn pointed out that social media has boosted his company’s marketing, he said: “As promoters, we are incredibly lucky to have this tool and be able to increase our followers. Before, we needed to use posters on the walls. Today, it’s easier to spread the word.”

Next, Hearn indicated that the economic factor is the main challenge they are facing to place boxing at the same level of other sports.

“The biggest challenge for boxing is trying to go back and increase the income to compete with other sports,” the promoter said.

It is important to say that the WBA is the first boxing organization to hold an online world convention under the new normality resulting from the pandemic. This has been possible by using the available internet platforms and the various digital communication apps.