Issa Rae Brings Boxing Comedy to Vegas With New HBO Series

^{Issa Rae, pictured above, will executive produce a new HBO pilot set in the Las Vegas boxing world. (Photo: MediaPunch / Alamy)}

Insecure creator and Emmy-nominated star Issa Rae is stepping into the boxing ring with a new HBO comedy set in Vegas. It’s a perfect backdrop for the series, with iconic past fights held at Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and T-Mobile Arena. Rae wrote the pilot and will executive produce the project, bringing her distinctive comedic voice to a story set against the city’s boxing scene.

HBO has ordered only a pilot at this stage, meaning the network will decide later whether to move forward with a full series.

The working title of the show, referred to as the “Untitled Male Friendship Show,” centers around Menzel, a 30-year-old barber and aspiring sports manager. His best friend, JB, is an up-and-coming boxer. When JB’s career starts to blossom, the show delves into how Menzel and JB’s relationship evolves.

Rae is reuniting with Insecure collaborator Prentice Penny, who will serve as showrunner, executive producer, and director of the pilot.

Just as New York was one of the central characters in Sex and the City, Vegas will be an integral part of the new comedy, where boxing has long been a mainstay in the city’s iconography.

Vegas’ Ringside Legacy

HBO’s return to boxing is eight years in the making after exiting Las Vegas in 2018. The network held its first televised boxing match on January 22, 1973, with George Foreman beating Joe Frazier.

Vegas’s long and storied history with boxing started with a match between Archie Moore and Nino Valdés on May 2, 1955, at Cashman Field near downtown Las Vegas.

Another highlight of Vegas’ boxing legacy is Mike Tyson's fight against Evander Holyfield II in the infamous “Bite Fight” in 1997 at the MGM Grand. Tyson was disqualified after biting Holyfield’s ear twice during the third round.

Billed as the “Fight of the Millennium,” Oscar De La Hoya fought Félix Trinidad in 1999 at Mandalay Bay. Trinidad ended up winning the ultimate majority decision.  

Before announcing his return from retirement in 2026, Floyd Mayweather Jr. fought his last match in 2017, beating Connor McGregor after 10 rounds at the T-Mobile Arena. 

Insecure Turns 10

"Insecure" was critically acclaimed and ran on HBO from 2016 to 2021. Rae starred as Issa Dee and navigated friendships, career, and dating life while living in Los Angeles. At the heart of the show was the friendship between Issa and her friend Molly. 

Rae broke out with the web series "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl" before developing "Insecure." She’s also acted in the movies Little and Barbie and owns production company Hoorae Media.

"Insecure" is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with “Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour.” Rae and Penny will be at The Palazzo Theatre on Sept. 25, with Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, and Natasha Rothwell appearing at different points in the tour.