Ricky Gervais began British movie star boxing craze with charity combat – 20 years later the game is overrun by influencers together with Logan Paul, Jake Paul and KSI who fights this weekend

Ricky Gervais turned one of many first British celebrities to crossover into boxing 20 years in the past – now the game is overrun by web stars and influencers.

The award-winning comic, actor and director had a boxing match in 2002 for charity, going up towards Grant Bovey who was married to TV presenter Anthea Turner on the time.

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Gervais’ boxing debut was broadcast by the BBC who documented ‘The Workplace’ star and his opponent as they went by means of a rigorous coaching regime with professionals.

‘The Battle’ was not for nothing, although, whomever emerged victorious from the three-round affair would stroll away with £5000 for his or her chosen charity.

Gervais, now 60, mentioned forward of his boxing debut: “Charity boxing appealed to me – ache and struggling to cease ache and struggling.

“Subsequent 12 months I’m getting concerned in a brand new actuality gameshow – movie star hanging! I’ve all the time needed to place pro-celebrity boxing on the small display – Frank Bruno versus Frank Bough.

“On a critical word, I can’t imagine my luck – a month of coaching with the perfect professionals within the sport. They’ve acquired their work minimize out.”

On combat evening, Gervais and Bovey battered one another for 3 90-second rounds earlier than the Golden Globe-winning actor was introduced the winner of the unlicensed bout.

Corridor of Fame boxing promoter Frank Warren was not a fan of the combat and blasted the BBC for airing it, he mentioned: “One factor I don’t need to be seen as is a killjoy – I do know they’re doing this for charity.

“However there are specific methods of going about this. What I’m sad about is that it’s unlicensed boxing. It’s a really harmful sport and it must be regulated correctly.

“You may’t simply go to the fitness center for six weeks and suppose you’re a boxer. It takes a very long time and numerous dedication. The mind doesn’t distinguish whether or not it’s being hit by an expert or an newbie.

“If, heaven forbid, one thing ought to go flawed, individuals received’t be saying let’s ban The Workplace or no matter Grant Bovey does, they’ll be calling for a ban on boxing.

“I’m stunned the BBC acquired into this in any respect. I’m additionally p****d off with the BBC – I want they’d spend their cash on correct boxing.”

Nonetheless, Gervais’ boxing debut was watched by 5.5 million on terrestrial TV and got here sizzling on the heels of a combat between comedians Bob Mortimer and Les Dennis for Sport Reduction.

Getty – Contributor

Misfits Boxing

Possibly it was Warren’s disapproval or a scarcity of celebrities prepared to threat embarrassing themselves on TV – however boxing went again to being for professionals for nearly twenty years.

At present, the game is flooded with well-known faces who need to combat.

A lot so, {that a} new style of boxing referred to as ‘Influencer Boxing’ has emerged and can take centre stage this weekend when YouTuber KSI fights Faze Temperrr.

He’ll essential occasion and promote a present that includes musicians, an grownup entertainer, MMA fighter and several other different celebrities who’ve discovered fame on varied social media platforms.

Superstar boxing has even taken off throughout the pond.

Logan Paul and Jake Paul are main the boxing revolution in America however the YouTuber brothers are taking very completely different approaches to the game.

Misfits Boxing

@loganpaul – instagram

Logan is intent on making as a lot cash as attainable and has cashed in to this point by preventing his former rival turned Prime enterprise companion, KSI, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

In the meantime, Jake truly desires to be a world champion within the sport.

‘The Drawback Little one’ has fought a fellow YouTuber and retired NBA star however has just lately added legitimacy to his boxing document by preventing former UFC fighters Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva.

As of but, the 25-year-old has not fought anybody with a background in boxing however has been attempting desperately to safe a combat with Tyson Fury’s youthful brother, Tommy Fury, who boasts an 8-0 professional document.

Jake and KSI are additionally building towards a fight against each other, which means movie star boxing is right here to remain – no less than for some time.

That’s one thing nobody would have guessed would occur when Gervais made his light-hearted boxing debut all these years in the past.