OTX series ‘Proving Ground’ delivers a new mix: local boxing and clout

Bringing the boxing gym to the people – or, better yet, to social media – is the essence of OTX’s latest series, “Proving Ground.”

The series, which aims to break down the intimidating barrier of entry into boxing gyms, leverages elements similar to those from the iconic And1 basketball mixtapes from the early 2000s. But instead of turning the camera on street courts, “Proving Ground” focuses it on the boxing ring, and instead of high-flying dunks, it’s hard-hitting sparring sessions – with clout becoming the new ticket to athletic fame.

OTX seeks to blend the raw energy of boxing with the viral nature of social media content. Brandon Rhodes, general manager of OTX, explained the driving force behind the web series.

“Well, ‘Proving Ground’ is really the essence of the sport,” Rhodes said. “At OTX, we came up through the gyms. I did the Golden Gloves for a couple of years. As a fan of boxing, the best and most exciting fights often happen in sparring. We heard from our audience that they wanted access to that world. ‘Proving Ground’ brings together some of the best fighters in the city for intense sparring matchups, and with our social reach, it gives these fighters exposure they’ve never had before. Some are hidden gems; others, like Donte Layne, are already pros on our platform.”

With millions of followers on its social platforms, OTX is not just about getting in the ring – it’s about getting noticed.

“Fighters get excited because there’s an opportunity to fight with OTX,” Rhodes said. “We’ve had three fighters from these events appear on our cards. It’s about bringing that energy into the gym – gym rivalries, coach rivalries. It’s all part of it.”

The goal is similar to what made certain elements of grassroots basketball exciting for fans – hidden talents showing out and getting discovered. Rhodes mentioned the potential for future matchups between cities, for which fans would tune in not only to see who are the best fighters but also to watch clashes in personality and competitive spirit. For Rhodes, the goal is to showcase the heart of boxing in its purest form while capturing the attention of fans who thrive on seeing real-world tension and conflict, much like reality TV on social media.

“You see the core of the sport come out [in these sparring sessions],” Rhodes said. “This is an opportunity for fighters without much exposure to tell their story. We treat everyone like a world champion, and that could lead to a long-term deal or even getting signed by another promotion.”

The involvement of professional fighters adds another layer to the series. It’s not just entertaining for those unfamiliar with the sport – it’s also the great equalizer.

“Everyone has a good day or a bad day,” Rhodes said. “You might get to spar someone you’ve seen on TV and test yourself against them.”

Rhodes also emphasized the importance of gaining social media followers.

“Clout equals money,” Rhodes said. “If you have followers, you’re more likely to sell tickets or get signed by a manager. We’ve even seen fighters find trainers at these events.”

Looking to the future, Rhodes sees the potential for gym battles and storylines around these events that could capture public attention, just as much as marquee or mid-tier fights.

“Eventually, we could have the top fighters in each city supporting their young guys,” Rhodes said. “Imagine going to Baltimore and having ‘Tank’ [Gervonta Davis] there, or to Newark with Shakur [Stevenson]. It’s all about pride – getting clout. And in today’s world, clout can turn into a career.”

Lucas Ketelle is a proud member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and author of “Inside The Ropes of Boxing” (available on Amazon). Contact him on X @LukieBoxing.