Sheffield promoter reveals financial clout behind global tournament
Sheffield boxing promoter Izzy Asif will be throwing a boatload of cash at the sport over the next 12 months.
After two months of negotiation to secure a lucrative partnership with a global sports medicine company, his GBM Sports promotional firm is planning a series of short-form boxing tournaments across five countries and four continents.
And Izzy told The Star the prizefighters could be competing for a £100,000 purse.
The revolutionary 'Heist' project was first launched at the Connexin Live, Hull in November, with Rotherham banger Taz Nadeem bowing out at semi final stage in a contest for super-middleweights.
The eventual winner, James Osborne from Essex, pocketed £30,000.
The chief sponsors of that event, Rygg, an Australian concern, liked the one-night, three-round, single-elimination format so much that they have thrown their financial support into a follow-up programme for 2026.
"They were absolutely captivated by it all; they were enthralled by the excitement, like most people. They were like: 'We want this we want to be part of this' " said Asif.
GBM will export ‘The Heist’ idea to Dubai in April before pitching up in Majorca, the UK, Australia, and the United States.
Every competition will be at a different weight class and streamed on DAZN.
Asif says there is a decent chance the UK location will be Sheffield, in September or October.
Including his regular GBM shows, he believes there will be 10 events over the next 12 months.
The promoter says there won't be a shortage of boxers wanting a piece of the action.
"The money is going to be huge for the winner, so I think they've all been intrigued; they'll all want to have a pop at it.
"It's a big opportunity for them; people who are 'up for it' would be considered.
"There is a lot of interest, and it will be down to us (competitor selection) what we feel are suited best for the tournament, which ones will be stylistically the best.
"I will be surprised if we don't get a fighter from the top 10 (rankings.) Some of the guys, it will be the biggest purse they have ever had.
"That could give them the motivation to get in there!
"There is some big money being chucked around and talked about within the organisation - there are talks of a potential six figures."
Izzy said Rygg's financial clout had been key to their ability to provide such purses.
"Without this investment, we would never be really able to go global with the Heist."
Asked to put a figure on their contribution, he replied: "More than we never had before. They believe in the product.
"Our plan is to entertain - we want competitive fights for the fans. No fillers, just warriors."