Fighters going unpaid, viewership numbers twenty times less than expected, and the company going into complete financial meltdown and filing for bankruptcy—the first Social Gloves event didn’t set a strong precedent. But they’re back anyway.
Influencer boxing events have varied greatly in their professionalism. In the past, we have seen broadcasting kingpins DAZN collaborate with the likes of KSI and Logan Paul to put on shows akin to legitimate world title fights. We have also seen out-of-touch money-grabbers patch together cards full of fan-less TikTokers and OnlyFans girls who won’t get paid, spending money they have no hope of recouping. Influencer boxing has the allure of a gold rush, but most have taken home pyrite.
AnEsonGib has been involved in this scene from the beginning. He fought on the undercard of KSI vs Joe Weller; the first YouTube boxing event. The only spot in his record is a defeat to Jake Paul almost three years ago. Gib’s most recent bout against Taylor Holder took place on the inaugural Social Gloves event, and is the root of the rivalry that will be settled on Saturday.
3 DAYS UNTIL I GET MY REVENGE pic.twitter.com/KXhmXPcCEs
— Ali (@AnEsonGib) September 7, 2022
His opponent is the owner of Social Gloves, Austin McBroom. When Gib’s bout against Taylor Holder ended in a highly controversial draw on the judges scorecards, Gib accused McBroom of fixing the fight. Although the decision was later overturned in his favour, the pair have publicly feuded ever since.
Austin McBroom has only one fight under his belt. He defeated TikToker Bryce Hall by TKO in the headline bout of the inaugural Social Gloves event last year. Despite his “athletic background”, he will come into Saturday with far less combat experience than his opponent. He has been accused of lying about his opponent’s health to escape the fight but regardless, on the second time it has been scheduled, they will meet in the ring.
💥 HEATED face off between Austin McBroom and AnEsonGib
It’s going down on Saturday night! 😤@FiteTV | #McBroomGib pic.twitter.com/5hsJX2nZQR
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunchPromo) September 8, 2022
The Undercard
LeVeon Bell vs Adrian Peterson sits below the main event. Both of these men have had illustrious careers in the NFL and now will try their hands at a new sport. Neither has ever competed in a boxing match before but both are powerful, athletic and hardworking. We can expect a fast-paced brawl.
Former basketball star Nick ‘Swaggy P’ Young was originally booked to fight rapper Blueface, but Blueface has since pulled out of the event. He will now face social media personality Minikon on just a few days notice. Minikon was beaten by Armz Korleone in an exhibition earlier this year in his boxing debut, and has not competed since.
ITS OFFICIAL… we did it!
Now it’s time to show out!!!! pic.twitter.com/tE02lxzSXm
— Minikon “The Menace” (@iMinikon) September 8, 2022
Austin McBroom’s alleged wife-beating, child-abducting younger brother Landon McBroom will return to the ring against confirmed match-fixer Adam Saleh. Landon won his first fight earlier this year when he TKO’d Ben Azelart on the same event his brother headlined. Saleh, a former amateur boxer with a negative record, was involved in controversy when his manager confirmed Saleh paid his opponent Marcus Stephenson to lose their fight.
Reality TV personality Cody Wharton will face American football player Chase Demoor in the curtain jerker.
When is Social Gloves 2 and how to watch it
Social Gloves 2 takes place on Saturday September 10th 2022 at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The show gets underway at 9pm ET (2am BST) with the main event expected at 12am ET (5am BST). The PPV is available on SocialGloves.tv and FITE.tv.
