Carl Frampton: The Rise of Saudi Influence, Fight with IShowSpeed and the Brutal Business of Boxing

This week we’re delighted to welcome Carl Frampton to the show. Second dive into boxing is long overdue and so much has happened since we last visited the sport. A boxing legend and Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2016, he was the first Northern Irishman to hold world titles in two weight classes, Carl is recognised as one of the best fighters of his generation.

As you may expect, there is far more to him than the success he achieved in the ring. This was also the time for us to understand what the life of a top class fighter looks like, and how the business of the sport works from the athlete’s perspective. Saudi involvement has elevated both prize money and fight calibre in recent times, correcting some of the big problems in the sport and making the fights that everyone wants to see actually happen. But this hasn’t always been the case, and from the promotion world that can consist of exploitation and mismanagement to the challenge of driving commercial opportunities building the brand of the individual, Carl’s story is one of both past and present.

Now one of the leading media figures in the sport as well as exploring a number of business ventures including his own whiskey brand, we take a look inside a sport that is re-establishing itself as one of the major assets in global entertainment. Whether a fan of Carl or just fascinated by the boxing industry, this is one you’ll enjoy.

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On today’s show we discuss:

1. Boxing Industry: A Good Place to be?

- Why is professional boxing considered by Frampton to be a “crooked” and exploitative business?

What happened in Carl Frampton’s legal dispute with Barry McGuigan, and what does it reveal about fighter vulnerability?

- Is the real danger in boxing the fights themselves, or the hundreds of rounds of sparring in training camps?

- What can be done at the coaching level to reduce head trauma and protect fighters?

Business of Boxing:

- How does a fighter’s earning potential evolve from early career to world championship level?

What role do management structures play in limiting or enabling endorsement and sponsorship deals?

- Why did Frampton earn more from sponsorships after leaving his initial management, even without a world title?

- Why is building a brand now essential for boxers to reach the top commercially?

- Who are the best and worst examples of fighters whose success (or lack thereof) was defined by branding?

2. Changing World of Boxing:

- How has Saudi Arabia, and specifically Turki Al-Alshikh, changed the boxing landscape?

- Why are previously impossible matchups now becoming reality, and how did the Saudi-backed model enable this?

- Does influencer boxing help or hurt the sport overall?

- How are fighters like Jake Paul impacting the visibility and pay of other boxers, especially women?

Is jealousy among traditional boxers driving backlash against influencer fights?

3. Fighter Psychology & Motivation:

- How did Frampton’s mindset evolve through his career, and did he ever truly enjoy boxing?

- Why did he set a retirement age early on, and how did that shape his choices in the ring?

- What motivates fighters to retire and then return and is it often driven by financial pressures?

- How are fighters like Jake Paul impacting the visibility and pay of other boxers, especially women?