Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been targeted as a potential centerpiece for an ambitious new boxing venture aiming to stage record-breaking events streamed on YouTube. Ed Pereira, CEO of newly launched events company iV Boxing, confirmed that Usyk is among the fighters the organization hopes to feature as it rolls out a global series designed to make boxing more accessible and visible.
iV Boxing plans to host multiple events in 2026, with some streamed free on YouTube and others offered at low-cost pay-per-view, without subscriptions. One of the most ambitious dates is July 11 in San Francisco, where iV Boxing intends to stage an open-air card at Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall. The goal is to surpass the long-standing boxing attendance record of 135,132, with organizers openly targeting a crowd well beyond that figure.
No bouts have yet been announced, but Pereira said Usyk could headline either the San Francisco event or a separate Las Vegas show planned for April. The Ukrainian champion has not fought since stopping Daniel Dubois in July and currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles after vacating the WBO belt earlier in the year.
Pereira emphasized that iV Boxing is not a promoter but a large-scale event organizer willing to work with all promoters to secure major fights. The company plans to stage up to 12 events this year, primarily in open-air venues, with a focus on affordability and fan access. According to Pereira, the aim is to create cultural moments that restore boxing’s mass appeal and ensure the heavyweight champion once again becomes a universally recognized figure.
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