Amateur v Unlicensed

[Captain Hook]

I'm doing a piece on the NW amateur scene for the Daily Post.

Some of the coaches I've spoken to, as well as former boxers, reckon there is a desire to get rid of headguards etc, to make it more exciting in the wakes of the rise of UFC and unlicensed boxing matches.

Any thoughts?

[bridportboxer]

I think now it should be 'Self Regulated' rather than unlicensed.

[charlieb]

The closer to the pro game, the healthier the sport (as a whole) will be.

[rhino222]

headguards do not protect boxers apart from head clashes, headguards make the head at least 1inch wider in total therefore punches that would normall whisk past the ear are twisting the head and neck. 1inch of a head with of say 10inch is a 10% increase in width, this is quite substantial.

its the timely intervention of referees and compulsory 8 counts for a decent shot landed that prorects amateur boxers, and referees that constantly demand boxers 'break' even when in a semi clinch. there is no place for 'in fighting' nor for combinations in amateur boxing, the scoring system does not acknowledge this.

[banjo]

Is unlicensed boxing illegal? I've never really understood it but my cousin takes part in unlicensed MMA bouts yet nobody seems to look at the legal side of it, or is there "unlicensed" boxing and "illegal" boxing?

[Captain Hook]

The closer to the pro game, the healthier the sport (as a whole) will be.

Probably, but a lot of them were concerned more about the blood and guts aspect.

According to them, the armchair fan who just wants to watch a fight doesn't want to see two guys pitter-patter for four two-minute rounds. They want the elbows to the head etc.

[Asterix]

Is unlicensed boxing illegal? I've never really understood it but my cousin takes part in unlicensed MMA bouts yet nobody seems to look at the legal side of it, or is there "unlicensed" boxing and "illegal" boxing?

Good question. I didn't know the answer either.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/art ... ture.shtml

Although unlicensed boxing is not illegal it can be seen as a rougher, more brutal side of the sport.

[sweetscience]

its not illegal it just doesnt have a governing body like the BBoBC or ABA IABA etc etc

no medicals, weigh ins etc

just a scrap with a ref & gloves really

[banjo]

its not illegal it just doesnt have a governing body like the BBoBC or ABA IABA etc etc

no medicals, weigh ins etc

just a scrap with a ref & gloves really

I see, it's just that some people like Lenny McLean and Roy Shaw gained a lot of fame from it so maybe it's bareknuckle boxing which is frowned upon then.

[sweetscience]

its not illegal it just doesnt have a governing body like the BBoBC or ABA IABA etc etc

no medicals, weigh ins etc

just a scrap with a ref & gloves really

I see, it's just that some people like Lenny McLean and Roy Shaw gained a lot of fame from it so maybe it's bareknuckle boxing which is frowned upon then.

it might have ment something back in the olden days,but now its just fat keg heads having a tear up

i think long gone are the days of Mclean v's Mr T

[Shirow]

To hold an event you have to get a licence/permission from the borough and they might put some conditions on it but otherwise unlicensed is perfectly legal.

[Stegsie]

no medicals, weigh ins etc

just a scrap with a ref & gloves really

I disagree - all the shows I have been to have always had medicals and weigh ins associated with them. White Collar stuff is the same.

I think the term "Unlicensed" leads people to think of the likes of Lenny McClean etc - it's not like that at all IMO.

Some of them are very well put together indeed.

[oliverfennell]

I'm doing a piece on the NW amateur scene for the Daily Post.

Some of the coaches I've spoken to, as well as former boxers, reckon there is a desire to get rid of headguards etc, to make it more exciting in the wakes of the rise of UFC and unlicensed boxing matches.

Any thoughts?

The Daily Post is actually covering something about boxing which doesn't involve Calzaghe??

I noticed Barry Guy is involved with the EBF; has he moved away from the amateur scene, then?

[Old bones Ian]

from what i've seen , your more likely to be involved in a mis-match in 'unlicenced' boxing, than going the amateur route.

[Captain Hook]

Yeah Oliver, Barry took part in one of Craig Winter's recent shows in Rhyl.

Don't think he's involved with the amateurs anymore.

Few more comments would be appreciated lads, I'll print some of them alongside the story with a link to this site.

Cheers

[1southpaw]

no medicals, weigh ins etc

just a scrap with a ref & gloves really

I disagree - all the shows I have been to have always had medicals and weigh ins associated with them. White Collar stuff is the same.

I think the term "Unlicensed" leads people to think of the likes of Lenny McClean etc - it's not like that at all IMO.

Some of them are very well put together indeed.

all i have to say about this is go to a alan motlork show at the circus tavern there are medicals and weight-ins and are packed out every show?? and you can have a beer at ringside not like being cramped up in a small room at york hall

[Wales]

Yeah Oliver, Barry took part in one of Craig Winter's recent shows in Rhyl.

Don't think he's involved with the amateurs anymore.

Few more comments would be appreciated lads, I'll print some of them alongside the story with a link to this site.

Cheers

barry was banned, is that the right word?, form doing stuuff with the ABA after his stint at HMP.

hook, remind me over the weekend and I'll send you a link to leightons recent EBF fight on youtube.

Personally I feel the am game is more angled towards kids - U21's nowdays. Some very capable fighters on the EBF scene. Eugene Monterio, sugar boy malinga (not THE sugar boy but a pro non the less), Mark Potter etc... Okay, these lads arent world beaters but they're good fighters. Im sure there are plenty of former amateur fighters who've done well at national level in there and who are we to say who can and cant have a go.

[m1kee50]

The tavern shows aint bad, my uncle used to fight on them. do prefer the yourk hall scene myself since you know that you could be watching a future champ.

apart from Glover and Steeds, most of the traffic between pro and unliscensed boxing is one way traffic.

[dondada]

Does anyone know where to go on the web to find out when these unlicensed bills actually happen?

I only ever hear about them after the event.

[m1kee50]

Does anyone know where to go on the web to find out when these unlicensed bills actually happen?

I only ever hear about them after the event.

do you know Steve Holdsworth at all? He's involved with the Tavern stuff, you could ask him

[dondada]

Does anyone know where to go on the web to find out when these unlicensed bills actually happen?

I only ever hear about them after the event.

do you know Steve Holdsworth at all? He's involved with the Tavern stuff, you could ask him

Aye, I know Steve (by email). But my point is...how the feck are these things generally promoted?

[m1kee50]

Does anyone know where to go on the web to find out when these unlicensed bills actually happen?

I only ever hear about them after the event.

do you know Steve Holdsworth at all? He's involved with the Tavern stuff, you could ask him

Aye, I know Steve (by email). But my point is...how the feck are these things generally promoted?

like normal boxing, you usually find out first through the boxers involved, thats how most tickets get sold,

then there are posters in bookies and chip shops, apart from a trade paper and the website chatter, its about the same.

[oliverfennell]

Yeah Oliver, Barry took part in one of Craig Winter's recent shows in Rhyl.

Define "took part". And what of Craig Winter? Fighting for the EBF?

[Wales]

Both Barry senior and junior have fought on an ebf show. Craig promoted a show in rhyl in conjunction with KO promotions & EBF. Craig is currently training a couple of young, well in their 20's, fighters. A couple who are fighitng unlicenced, one (i think) amateur and even helps out training pro Aaron Thomas when Aaron decides he wants to fight as appose to when he seemingly cant be arsed.

[oliverfennell]

Both Barry senior and junior have fought on an ebf show. Craig promoted a show in rhyl in conjunction with KO promotions & EBF. Craig is currently training a couple of young, well in their 20's, fighters. A couple who are fighitng unlicenced, one (i think) amateur and even helps out training pro Aaron Thomas when Aaron decides he wants to fight as appose to when he seemingly cant be arsed.

Common problem round our neck of the woods, isn't it.

Aaron, Mike Allen, Justin Jones, all title-winning amateurs, doing FA as pros.

Spencer Wilding, say what you will about his personality, had talent, but in the end all he aspired to was being a "face" on the Rhyl nightlife scene. Some ambition, that...

Can't believe Barry Sr is/was fighting again! How old is he??