Sports Illustrated named Joe Rogan among influential and powerful boxing figures

In a surprising move that has sparked criticism from the boxing sports community, renowned sports publication Sports Illustrated has included UFC commentator Joe Rogan among its list of the most influential and powerful figures in boxing for 2024.

The list features prominent names such as Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh, heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, promoter Eddie Hearn, and social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. While these inclusions were largely expected, Rogan’s appearance on the list has raised eyebrows across the sports world.

Sports Illustrated justified Rogan’s inclusion by citing his influential podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, where his discussions about boxing have helped bring greater recognition to the sport within the broader combat sports landscape.

The selection has generated significant reaction on social media, with many questioning the decision. “How is Joe Rogan one of boxing’s most influential people?” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another commented, “Joe Rogan doesn’t even commentate boxing what is this BS.”

Joe Rogan is also often dismissive of boxing when it comes to comparison to other Martial arts.

Rogan famously puts MMA ahead of boxing when it comes to what’s most bada*s:
“No one has a chance if they don’t have a long history of grappling and taking kicks.”

“Think about it. A regular boxer, even the best ever—like Floyd. Floyd is phenomenal at what he does. But if you add takedowns and kicks into the equation? It changes everything. Everything.”

He also went viral backing UFC’s longtime champion Jon Jones in a hypothetical matchup with then WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
“No one thinks that Tyson Fury beat Jon Jones in a fight. No one thinks that. Tyson doesn’t think that. You want to talk about who’s the baddest man on the planet? If Jon Jones and Tyson Fury are locked into a room, I’m pushing all of my chips on black.”

He added, “Tyson Fury is an amazing boxer. [But] He doesn’t have a f**king chance in hell of making it out of that room… Zero chance.”

Rogan also once named Lomachenko as his GOAT boxer:

“I just can’t come up with a comparable [name]… I mean, there’s been some amazing boxers way back to Sugar Ray Robinson and Willie Pep and all those guys paved the way. But I feel like everything evolves. Every combat sport, even art and music, evolves to the current state it’s at now, which you get the best of the best right now, and you go, ‘Wow, they’ve learned from Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins.’ And Lomachenko is, in my eyes, the best.”

Among the other notable figures on the list, Alalshikh has been credited with elevating boxing’s status through organizing several record-breaking events. Fury has made significant waves in the sport, earning approximately $200 million in 2024 for his two bouts against undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk.

While Rogan is primarily known for his work in mixed martial arts and his role as a UFC color commentator, Sports Illustrated’s decision to include him among boxing’s elite influencers reflects his broader impact on combat sports through his platform and commentary.