The Internet's Craziest Idea Yet...

Happy Wednesday. It’s nearly Valentine's day - What better gift to refer your partner to?😅 Back again with The Sports Road - the best sport and tech newsletter out there.

Here's what we got for ya today:

• Youtube Boxing: What have you done?

• Conor McGregor is Back!

• Manchester City: The football club of the future?

• The Super Bowl: A Metaverse Production

Most valuable public market sports teams

Now, onto the good stuff...

Tag Team Boxing: WHAT?!

Yes, you read that correctly. This story is actually about tag team boxing.

Alright, alright. I know this is technically last week's news, but in my opinion not enough is being made from this. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying this is one of the Internet’s craziest sporting ideas ever. So what happened?

If you read last Friday’s article, you’d know about KSI. Well, as part of his venture into the boxing world, the youtuber has started his own promotion - Misfits Boxing.

By the name alone, it’s clear to see what the company is looking to bring:

• A Boxing promotion primarily used for influencer boxing

• Events that captivate the attentions of a younger fan base

• Bringing traditional boxing events to modern day audiences

To do that though, the promotion has used … unconventional methods. Whether it be surprise opponents or fighters having two fights in one night, many have noticed links between the promotions events and pro wrestling. None more so, however, than their most recent announcement.

That’s right, a boxing tag team fight. Unsurprisingly, the response to this has been mixed…

Whether you like it or not, no one can deny that Misfits is entertaining.

Guess Who's Back...

Speaking of promotion, THE MAC IS BACK!

Nearly two years since his last fight, Conor Mcgregor’s return to MMA has been announced, and it is the perfect stage for it. The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 31, against ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler - a beast in his own right.

For those who do not know what TUF is, essentially it is:

• A reality TV show headed by the UFC

• An MMA competition fought between two teams, where one fighter eventually wins to receive a UFC contract

• Each team is coached by the respective fighters involved (in this seasons case, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler)

• After the season airs, the coaches fight against each other

That means, not only are we in for prime McGregor trash-talking content, we finally get to see him compete again.

With both fighters being a combined 2-6 in their last eight fights, we hope that we won’t have to see the loser competing on the next Misfits card 🤪

No, but really. We do not want to see that.

Manchester City, Welcome to The Metaverse

Manchester City x OKX - Football’s newest tech partnership. Partnering with the second largest Crypto exchange, Manchester City are continuing their surge into the Metaverse.

Through this partnership:

• Fans will be able to access exclusive content, experiences, and rewards from their favourite players using the OKX Collective

• Special experiences will be tailored to each players playing style

• Music and NFT-based digital experiences will be introduced

In addition to that, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gündoan, and Alex Greenwood have all agreed to act as sponsors.

This announcement comes only a few weeks following the English champions’ deal with Sony to delve into the virtual world. In joining forces with the Tech giant, City are looking to increase fan engagement; particularly on a global scale.

Allowing fans to tour the Etihad Stadium in the metaverse, fans’ avatars are already being able to roam on the pitch - something most global fans could only wish to do.

While still in development much more is expected to come from the Sony partnership.

We do get why Man City’s ownership would want to fill at least one of their stadiums though…

NFL x Saweetie x Metaverse: What Could go Wrong?

In continuing with Sport in the metaverse, the NFL have announced their first ever virtual Super Bowl concert.

Headlining with Saweetie, an American hip hop artist, the NFL are partnering with Roblox to use motion captured movements and vocal stylings to bring elements of the famous half-time show to the virtual world.

The plan for the event is to work as follows:

• On February 10th, Roblox users will be able to access the event in Rhythm City - a music-themed social roleplay experience

• The concert will replay 31 times, every hour until the day that the Super Bowl begins

In expanding the company’s pre-existing ties with the virtual world – which consist of blockchain backed collections which have generated over $70 million – The NFL’s Vice President of Video Gaming stated the concert as

Never a dull day.

Quick bites

• Some people just aren't worth it: Jurgen Klopp refuses to acknowledge reporter following heavy Liverpool defeat

• Like we said last week, Football streaming is changing: Ligue 1 and Serie A broker deal with DAZN

• The end for one of the greatest ever: Fedor Emilienenko announces official retirement from MMA

Meme of the day

Yes, that really is Leicester's Wout Faes 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Quote of the day

Photo of the day

So. Many. Legends.

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Chat to ya on Friday! ☮️