In 1984 Michael Buffer invented the legendary phrase....
I'm a big Howard Stern fan, and in the early 00's Howard actually promoted many fights and helped elevated boxing nationwide. He brought Michael Buffer in as HBO's representative announcer to actually call a few exhibition matches between people in his own organization. Stern was a genius in holding fights between two idiots working for him, because at the end of the day that is what people want to see....real people fighting.
Buffer explained that he actually submitted the phrase to copywright in the late 80s as it became huge! HE went through many slogan phases, but he recalls "fasten your seatbelts" not really having the oomph, or 'it' factor. The eloquent pugilistic presence that Buffer is can make any arena pop with his classy charm and powerful baritone voice. I have yet to see a boxing fight of the magnitude that Buffer would announce for, but it is surely on my bucket list.
From small time gigs, to having literally one phrase make him a multi millionaire, Buffer is someone to look up to. He found a a niche market for a skill he had, and he capitalized on it! Not to say he wasn't a boxing fan himself, as the 'ready to rumble' line is derived from the legendary tongue of a man name Muhammad Ali. He was the prettiest, and he was always ready to rumble!