{"id":309872,"date":"2025-11-27T08:35:10","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T08:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/309872\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T08:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T08:35:10","slug":"andrew-tates-misfits-role-risks-normalising-homophobia-in-boxing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/309872\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Tate\u2019s Misfits role risks normalising homophobia in boxing"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2020, I founded the nonprofit World Gay Boxing Championships<\/a> (WGBC) to disrupt homophobia in the sport I love. Now homophobia in boxing is much harder to solve. Andrew Tate was appointed CEO of Misfits Boxing at the end of October. One of the most powerful companies in the sport.<\/p>\n

Influencers have upended boxing. 108 million viewers watched Mike Tyson and Jake Paul<\/a>\u2018s fight live on Netflix earlier this year. The most streamed sporting event in history. Paul and Anthony Joshua<\/a> are rumoured to be finalising a $200m deal to fight in December.<\/p>\n

Read next<\/p>\n

Misfits was founded by YouTuber KSI, his manager Mams Taylor, and boxing promoters Kalle and Nisse Sauerland. They stage influencer boxing matches streamed exclusively on DAZN, featuring names like Logan Paul, Tommy Fury, and Conor McGregor\u2019s training partner Dillon Danis. Collectively, Misfits and their fighters wield considerable influence. They can help shape whether our community is accepted, rejected or hated in boxing and sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m seriously concerned Tate\u2019s appointment will increase and normalise homophobia in boxing, particularly online\u201d<\/p>\n

Less than a month as Misfits CEO, Tate is already engaging in homophobia with impunity. Former UFC star Darren Till was negotiating to fight Tate at a Misfits event. After the fight collapsed, heavyweight homophobia was unleashed. It began was Till violated X\u2019s hateful conduct rules, saying:\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s not even gay. That\u2019s proper fcking smelly [expletive] gear with several f@ggots slurs thrown in for good measure.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0Tate responded telling IFLTV that Till \u201cstarted tweeting\u00a0\u00a0his \u201cattempt to get the fight was pretty gay.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

\"MartinMartin Stark (Image: Supplied)<\/p>\n

I envisage Misfits will be highly successful with Tate as CEO, holding bigger events with much larger audiences. But will homophobia now be given free rein? Who will address it when the boss weaponises it and has the company\u2019s support? Misfits Boxing President Mams Taylor has defended the appointment. Speaking\u00a0on The Ariel Helwani Show<\/a>, Taylor said: \u201cI think for Andrew, this is a perfect role. He\u2019s incredibly articulate and he embodies the Misfits spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m seriously concerned Tate\u2019s appointment will increase and normalise homophobia in boxing, particularly online. Homophobia in sport is increasing. Openly gay footballer\u00a0Josh Cavallo reports receiving daily death threats.<\/a>\u00a0Tate\u2019s elevation to CEO will embolden homophobic fans to perpetrate hate unimpeded.<\/p>\n

Homophobia is deeply rooted in the culture of hypermasculine sport. Recent research shows\u00a0half of American LGBTQ adults experienced mistreatment in sport, and 76% of Australian gay men witnessed homophobia.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0WGBC\u2019s own research shows over 90% of LGBTQ+ boxers consider homophobia a problem in boxing. Almost two-fifths have experienced bullying or harassment where they train or compete.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHow DAZN acts determines if their allyship is genuine.\u00a0\u00a0Doing nothing risks being perceived as a performative ally\u201d<\/p>\n

Tate\u2019s appointment presents both a paradox and a dilemma for DAZN, which holds exclusive broadcast rights to all Misfits Boxing events under a five-year deal signed in January 2023. DAZN has continued broadcasting Misfits events since Tate\u2019s appointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The paradox: DAZN has made Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ+ allyship central to its brand, whilst Tate has built his following on anti-woke rhetoric. The dilemma: how will DAZN live up to its brand promises and handle homophobia in boxing and sport?\u00a0<\/p>\n

In their\u00a02021 Social Impact report<\/a>, DAZN CEO Shay Segev declared: \u2018Sport has the power to unite, to inspire, and transform lives. Love of sport transcends social, cultural, and religious barriers. It is inclusive.\u2019 The report highlighted inclusion initiatives including the Proud @DAZN Employee Resource Group and corporate partnership with MyGWork.<\/p>\n

DAZN\u2019s former head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion told Attitude<\/a>\u00a0that brands need to be careful their statements match their behaviour. He warned against companies claiming to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community while homophobic language remains prevalent on the playing field, in the locker room, and stands.\u00a0<\/p>\n

How DAZN acts determines if their allyship is genuine.\u00a0\u00a0Doing nothing risks being perceived as a performative ally.<\/p>\n

Boxing\u2019s values are courage, integrity and respect. I call on the leaders of the boxing world to uphold these values: boxers, broadcasters, governing bodies, coaches, and promoters. The sport I love must be a place where LGBTQ+ people and everyone are welcomed. A sport where bullying and homophobia are rejected, not rewarded.<\/p>\n

Martin Stark is the founder and CEO of World Gay Boxing Championships (WGBC). He established WGBC in 2020 as a not\u2011for\u2011profit aimed at increasing LGBTQ+ participation in boxing and tackling homophobia and transphobia in the sport.<\/p>\n

Subscribe to\u00a0Attitude print<\/a>, download the\u00a0Attitude app<\/a>, and follow us on\u00a0Apple News+<\/a>. Plus: find us on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0TikTok<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Russell(Image: Attitude\/Mark Cant)
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