In response to rising concerns over the high costs of pay-per-view events, Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh has proposed a radical solution to combat piracy and build the fan base: slash PPV prices to $20. This significant reduction aims to address the growing problem of PPV piracy, which experts estimate to be responsible for a loss of 30 percent in buys. However, former 140-pound champion Chris Algieri suggested that even a $20 price tag might not be enough to deter piracy, arguing that free streaming for a year could be a more effective way to introduce fighters to a broader audience and build long-term value.
Algieri, speaking on ProBox TV’s “Top Stories," discussed the difficulty of growing a sport with such high financial barriers. He pointed out that both attending and watching fights are becoming increasingly expensive, making it difficult for fans to keep up with a sport that, for many, is just a hobby. He believes the solution may lie in offering free events for a period to allow fans to familiarize themselves with the fighters, only introducing charges once the fighters' profiles have grown.
While Alalshikh's plan to discount major fights, such as the September 21 IBF heavyweight title bout between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua and the October 12 light-heavyweight championship fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev, could help, Algieri doubts whether other major distributors like Premier Boxing Champions will follow suit. PBC and other distributors operate with different financial models, often focused on their bottom line rather than backed by large-scale investments like Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth.
Algieri also highlighted the potential risks of Alalshikh’s habit of looking too far ahead in scheduling future fights before current bouts take place. Referring to the proposed match between Deontay Wilder and Joshua, which was derailed after Wilder's loss to Zhilei Zhang, Algieri pointed out that projecting too far into the future could take the shine off important upcoming fights. He warns that it could give the impression that the sport is more entertainment-driven than competition-based, which could hurt its credibility.
According to Algieri, fans want to see competitive fights where the outcomes are not preordained. When future matchups are discussed too soon, it can diminish the significance of the present fight, making it feel more staged and less genuine. This can open the door to controversy, especially if the fight result is seen as a stepping stone to a previously promoted bout, which could lead to concerns over fairness and the sport’s integrity.
Ultimately, while the proposal to lower PPV prices could attract more viewers, the overall impact on piracy and the sport’s long-term growth remains to be seen. Algieri remains cautiously optimistic but is skeptical about whether such changes will fundamentally alter the economics of boxing.
Image Credit: DAZN