WSB - World Series of Boxing

[JMac]

The IOC does not select the boxers. The boxers go trough qualifying tournaments. The first one will be the 2011 world championships and if they don't qualify there, they get two more chances with continental qualifiers just like they did for the '08 Olympics. You can probably find the old '07-'08 results at the aiba.org website.

I agree but it goes with the original statement that it has to be by AIBA. A 'qualifying tournament' cannot be independent of AIBA which has been given the authority over boxing by the IOC. AIBA may have the authority to change the qualifying tournaments into WSB sanctioned tournaments in the future if they desire so. I am speaking out of assumption but following the 'slipper slope' line of logic.

Look at how hockey, basketball, and soccer determine their Olympians... by the leagues in power.

You have me confused a bit by what you are saying. Yes AIBA is authorized by the IOC to run boxing on the international level. The qualifiers are run by AIBA but AIBA does not choose the boxers who go to the Olympics. They earn the right by where they finish in the qualifiers. AIBA has said boxers who compete in the WSB can also represent their countries and TRY and qualify for the Olympics. There is no guarantee they will qualify. It may hurt them by boxing under pro rules and then coming back to amateur scoring. I don't think AIBA will one day say any boxer that competes in the Olympics must first be a WSB boxer but who knows. I guess anything could happen.
You also have to have the assumption that the WSB will last more than one year or even get off the ground. Right now, they still don't have any franchises in USA. I don't think the WSB will ever work without franchises in the USA.

[Front Page Boxing]

I agree but it goes with the original statement that it has to be by AIBA. A 'qualifying tournament' cannot be independent of AIBA which has been given the authority over boxing by the IOC. AIBA may have the authority to change the qualifying tournaments into WSB sanctioned tournaments in the future if they desire so. I am speaking out of assumption but following the 'slipper slope' line of logic.

Look at how hockey, basketball, and soccer determine their Olympians... by the leagues in power.

You have me confused a bit by what you are saying. Yes AIBA is authorized by the IOC to run boxing on the international level. The qualifiers are run by AIBA but AIBA does not choose the boxers who go to the Olympics. They earn the right by where they finish in the qualifiers. AIBA has said boxers who compete in the WSB can also represent their countries and TRY and qualify for the Olympics. There is no guarantee they will qualify. It may hurt them by boxing under pro rules and then coming back to amateur scoring. I don't think AIBA will one day say any boxer that competes in the Olympics must first be a WSB boxer but who knows. I guess anything could happen.
You also have to have the assumption that the WSB will last more than one year or even get off the ground. Right now, they still don't have any franchises in USA. I don't think the WSB will ever work without franchises in the USA.

I apologize for the confusion. Technically AIBA can't 'choose' a boxer to represent a country. They can only uphold their policies which may (not will) discriminate certain boxers. I'm speaking on possibilities not with malice intentions toward AIBA. The WSB would be the top tier boxers, ideally. So if an amateur boxer from the US wants to qualify for the Olympics they would have to challenge other boxers from the Americas. Let's say the other boxers from the Americas are predominantly WSB boxers. Which rules & regulation would AIBA go by in a tournament to qualify a regular amateur boxer versus a WSB boxer?

If the US declare not to have a WSB franchise, then it will be a little confusing if the US is the minority in respect to that part of amateur boxing.

The crux of the matter is that there are two standards for an Olympic-bound boxer.... regular amateurs or WSB. When it comes down to it... what will the IOC or AIBA go by? Will the rules of boxing carry over to the Olympics? I have a lot of questions more than answers. I'm not asking because I know the answers. lol

[boxmel]

The crux of the matter is that there are two standards for an Olympic-bound boxer.... regular amateurs or WSB. When it comes down to it... what will the IOC or AIBA go by? Will the rules of boxing carry over to the Olympics? I have a lot of questions more than answers. I'm not asking because I know the answers. lol

First of all - I think you're confusing the issue. You can always email AIBA and see if they will give you the answers. IOC will not interfere with AIBA since AIBA sets the rules. I'm not sure what you mean by "rules of boxing" - all AIBA rules carry over to the Olympics. From all the previous dialogues, it sounds as if boxers, whether WSB or not, will have to qualify to compete in the Olympics - through their countries and continental championships. There is a whole different set of rules for WSB athletes which, in my opinion, will hurt them if they have to qualify through their country/continental championships. Maybe AIBA was hoping that ALL amateur boxers in every AIBA country would join the WSB - ain't gonna happen. D

[Front Page Boxing]

The crux of the matter is that there are two standards for an Olympic-bound boxer.... regular amateurs or WSB. When it comes down to it... what will the IOC or AIBA go by? Will the rules of boxing carry over to the Olympics? I have a lot of questions more than answers. I'm not asking because I know the answers. lol

First of all - I think you're confusing the issue. You can always email AIBA and see if they will give you the answers. IOC will not interfere with AIBA since AIBA sets the rules. I'm not sure what you mean by "rules of boxing" - all AIBA rules carry over to the Olympics. From all the previous dialogues, it sounds as if boxers, whether WSB or not, will have to qualify to compete in the Olympics - through their countries and continental championships. There is a whole different set of rules for WSB athletes which, in my opinion, will hurt them if they have to qualify through their country/continental championships. Maybe AIBA was hoping that ALL amateur boxers in every AIBA country would join the WSB - ain't gonna happen. D

Thank you for the Mel! lol I am in the process of contacting all parties because the facts have to be brought out to clear out any misunderstandings. I'm posing questions in here to get a sense of how everybody in here feel about this great change. Maybe it's not fair but I'm using the NBA as an example. Do they have the NBA players compete for the spot along with a college and high school basketball player or is it automatically set that the spots are for the 'pros'?! WSB boxers are technically 'pros' not 'amateurs' as it is a 'professional' league. Just something to consider.

As I continue with the research... I would hope you all can be the 'think tank' to this issue! lol I am in the midst of great amateur boxing minds and I am humbled by what you all have to say. I am an empty cup.

[boxmel]

Maybe it's not fair but I'm using the NBA as an example. Do they have the NBA players compete for the spot along with a college and high school basketball player or is it automatically set that the spots are for the 'pros'?! WSB boxers are technically 'pros' not 'amateurs' as it is a 'professional' league. Just something to consider.

Puleeeze don't forget that basketball is a TEAM sport as opposed to boxing which is an individual sport where said individuals have to qualify. Big difference.

As I continue with the research... I would hope you all can be the 'think tank' to this issue!

I would be tremendously happy if you could get the goods straight from AIBA.

lol I am in the midst of great amateur boxing minds

That is, of course, a very debatable statement.

and I am humbled by what you all have to say. I am an empty cup.

Be very, very careful about how and with what you are filled. DD

[coachingGOLD]

Many of these fighters on this U.S. list have a hard time going 3-2 min. rounds much less 5-3 min. rounds.

[Tarquin Tarpaulin V]

A warning to you guys across the pond.

Keep your eyes on this set up, it's going to be interesting.

Don't assume that a Franchise has to have the approval of US Boxing as that may not be the case (more in due course).

The latest announcement from Dr Wu and the WSB is..............

Under the Olympic Qualification Guidelines for London 2012, which were approved the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee at its session during SportAccord in Duba at the end of April this year, the five individual champions of the World Series of Boxing will obtain a quota place for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

So what exactly does this mean?

First it means that places will be awarded for victory in a series of what could be sub standard tournaments. I haven't looked lately but certainly the first boxers to join the series were world rated around the 50 mark.

Second, the Franchises are limited to just 12 across the Americas, Europe and Asia................no Australasia or Africa.... so those boxers taking the traditional route could find themselves sidelined. Don't forget that a Franchise team has to include a percentage of foreign nationals, so an African boxer could effectively secure his place whilst boxing for eg a Chicago based team!

For the record, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City are the current franchisees for the americas.

[coachingGOLD]

Say What?

[JMac]

What will be interesting is if the US state athletic commissions will allow the WSB officials the permission to officiate in their states of NY, California and Illinois without going through their own state training or license fees, etc. At the end of the day, it will be the SAC that control the fights in the US since it is pro boxing, not AIBA.

[TheQuietStorm]

This is a wonderful discussion on the WSB. Unfortunately this hasn't been discussed much by the executives of USA Boxing (inside information). I'm getting ready to do some more in depth research and interviews for an article on this. It's going to be a series of article covering this objectively with the pros and cons. I've asked a boxer who is very much involved with USA Boxing and he has brought up some great points on it being a good thing.

Will this revolutionize boxing in the long run to turn it into a league like the NFL, NBA, MLS? In some ways many boxing fans have asked for more accountability and structure to the sport. It makes you wonder if we know what we want.

Word is that Golden Boy productions have taken the initiative to sign as many ranked amateurs as possible because of the WSB. Not too many US promoters are hot about WSB at all. Those are rumors but I will need to conduct some interviews.

Feel free to drop me an e-mail as I dig into this. Any tips on who I should contact will be fine. I love amateur boxing as it is where it's not like the pros. Don't get me wrong... I love pro boxing but I also understand that it's about the $$$ with all actors.

I'll continue to follow this discussion and thank you for expanding my thoughts on this.

For what it is worth, your inside info has it wrong. USAB executives have been very involved with AIBA and the setting up of the WSB. The WSB will not work unless they get USA involved, simple as that. All NGB's who have boxers in the WSB will be involved as they will make money. Also, the WSB needs to have at least 2 franchises in USA. They could not do that without USAB's involvement.

JMac, would you know why pro eligibility was changed for the WSB?

[T Duquette]

I just saw that the WSB Boston team has been changed to Memphis. Thats to bad. I was really looking forward to some quality sparring coming to town. Does anybody know why this happened?

[Dennis]

I just saw that the WSB Boston team has been changed to Memphis. Thats to bad. I was really looking forward to some quality sparring coming to town. Does anybody know why this happened?

It was Chicago, then Boston and now Memphis.

Are any of the USA teams in training yet? Do any of them have training facilities or competition venues secured?

[Puncher7]

I dont see this thing even going through
and if it does it wont last

[T Duquette]

I agree. There's a hole lot of expenses and not enough opportunities to generate revenue. The individual franchises have to pay for housing, training, equipment, medical care, and the salaries for both the athletes and the staff.

Now if they had a lucrative tv deal and were able to fill stadiums, that would be one thing. But the only time you see filled up stadiums in boxing is when big, established names fight.

Also, I knew it just wouldnt work here in Boston... Boston is a sports town. The people here love their home town teams with more passion than any other place ive seen. That being said, Boxing unfortunetly just isnt one of our sports. And not a single person on the Boston team was from Boston. I couldnt even pronounce some of the names. And the costs here just simply would have been unsustainable. Rents here are amongst the highest in the country, and taxes are no joke either.

I know a number of peeps in the WSB and I hope it all works out for them. I wish WSB luck, but I certainly wouldnt invest in a franchise.

[Dennis]

WSB has had lots of struggles in the U.S. to the point where a lot of people doubt it will even get off the ground or if it does that it won't survive more than a year or two. Now WSB is having struggles elsewhere. Originally they wanted London but that fell through. In Asia they had India & they have just been replaced by South Korea.

[Dennis]

I was hoping that the WSB might resurrect amateur boxing. I think AIBA just needs to change some rules & the scoring system & make amateur boxing more fan friendly & TV friendly.

[mando2012]

Dennis the agreement online is not the same as the contract, I have a contract if anyone want to see it, let me know. This whole WSB sounds good but it's not they left a few things out that most people don't know. 1 they want 10% of your pro contract when you turn pro for 3 years and alot of people don't know that Andrew Notagain get money for every USA boxer that he signs, IMO Andrew is snake cause he don't care about the boxers just the money so I would say to all the boxers that are thinking About joining DONT DO IT!!!! If you don't want to take my word for it,tell wsb to send you a contract and take it to a lawyer and you'll see. Good luck and god bless

hello coach J, I just got accepted to wsb, for mexico city , i was born in California, in your personal opinion would you sign if u were in any of the wsb Boxers shoes.?

[mando2012]

This is a wonderful discussion on the WSB. Unfortunately this hasn't been discussed much by the executives of USA Boxing (inside information). I'm getting ready to do some more in depth research and interviews for an article on this. It's going to be a series of article covering this objectively with the pros and cons. I've asked a boxer who is very much involved with USA Boxing and he has brought up some great points on it being a good thing.

Will this revolutionize boxing in the long run to turn it into a league like the NFL, NBA, MLS? In some ways many boxing fans have asked for more accountability and structure to the sport. It makes you wonder if we know what we want.

Word is that Golden Boy productions have taken the initiative to sign as many ranked amateurs as possible because of the WSB. Not too many US promoters are hot about WSB at all. Those are rumors but I will need to conduct some interviews.

Feel free to drop me an e-mail as I dig into this. Any tips on who I should contact will be fine. I love amateur boxing as it is where it's not like the pros. Don't get me wrong... I love pro boxing but I also understand that it's about the $$$ with all actors.

I'll continue to follow this discussion and thank you for expanding my thoughts on this.

For what it is worth, your inside info has it wrong. USAB executives have been very involved with AIBA and the setting up of the WSB. The WSB will not work unless they get USA involved, simple as that. All NGB's who have boxers in the WSB will be involved as they will make money. Also, the WSB needs to have at least 2 franchises in USA. They could not do that without USAB's involvement.

JMac, would you know why pro eligibility was changed for the WSB?

iam about to sign with wsb , for mexico s squad, i was born in the usa though, does any one have a broad list of pros and cons of wsb ???

[COACH J]

[/quote]hello coach J, I just got accepted to wsb, for mexico city , i was born in California, in your personal opinion would you sign if u were in any of the wsb Boxers shoes[quote]

ask yourself this, do you ever want to turn pro? if you do you will be punch drunk after the WSB. those are pro fights with pro knock out and you going up agaist the best in the world

if you want to be an Olympian the WSB gives you another way in thats all! i'm waiting to see some of the boxers after they done with the WSB.

I think the WSB is going to be good for the fans, will USA do good in the WSB..umm NO!
Do I think any of the USA team are going make it as far as to get a spot in the games...NO
Would I sign any boxer with the WSB.... HELL NO!... ' THIS IS MY OPINION ' and about you being accepted to the mexico team just remember you dont need them they need you thats the only team that dont have a full roster so they are looking for anyone dont think your special 'sorry' but you asked for my opinion... one more thing i want to see is how the WSB boxers are going to adjust when they come back to the ESS. I have little hope for the WSB but should be fun to see these guy beat the crap out eachother..

[Puncher7]

hello coach J, I just got accepted to wsb, for mexico city , i was born in California, in your personal opinion would you sign if u were in any of the wsb Boxers shoes

ask yourself this, do you ever want to turn pro? if you do you will be punch drunk after the WSB. those are pro fights with pro knock out and you going up agaist the best in the world

if you want to be an Olympian the WSB gives you another way in thats all! i'm waiting to see some of the boxers after they done with the WSB.

I think the WSB is going to be good for the fans, will USA do good in the WSB..umm NO!
Do I think any of the USA team are going make it as far as to get a spot in the games...NO
Would I sign any boxer with the WSB.... HELL NO!... ' THIS IS MY OPINION ' and about you being accepted to the mexico team just remember you dont need them they need you thats the only team that dont have a full roster so they are looking for anyone dont think your special 'sorry' but you asked for my opinion... one more thing i want to see is how the WSB boxers are going to adjust when they come back to the ESS. I have little hope for the WSB but should be fun to see these guy beat the crap out eachother..

Heaven forbid the best actually fight the best in pro boxing! we cant have that now can we?
I would give it a shot to the person asking, it may be a great opportunity for you.

[Jamel]

Last nights results in Miami... Eric Fowler got a TKO victory over Adrian Martinez in the 4th round...

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&id=33157

[Dennis]

Just a reminder for any boxing fans that have missed it. The WSB can be watched on Versus and VMe in the United States. It all seems to be tape delayed/replayed of the bouts. VMe shows the bouts in their entirety while Versus does more talking and has more commercials so they cut some of the bouts by skipping part of the rounds or an entire round.

The bouts have been very good and exciting which is good for boxing.

[Dennis]

For the latest results go to http://www.worldseriesboxing.com.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Just a reminder for any boxing fans that have missed it. The WSB can be watched on Versus and VMe in the United States. It all seems to be tape delayed/replayed of the bouts. VMe shows the bouts in their entirety while Versus does more talking and has more commercials so they cut some of the bouts by skipping part of the rounds or an entire round.

The bouts have been very good and exciting which is good for boxing.

I'm LOVING these fights. Very good matchups but the action and intensity is what has impressed me. Not to mention you can tell that each boxer wants to win badly. But I must say that even for the top amateurs, these fights are really really rough. I think the tournament is going to be more about who can last the entire time. I know that they are calling a lot of boxers now becuase of injuries and making them some good offers (Cam Thompson debut tonight) so I think we'll see a lot more boxers that weren't drafted join in throughout the rest of the seaon. I've seen a LOT of cuts and I haven't been impressed to say the least about the corner's ability to work on cuts. It's not like you have to do that at all in the amateurs and it is really showing. I'm not saying the corners don't have anyone that has cut experience, but they aren't very good. I know that Kenny Egan and Chris JOnes have been sidelined. I've also enjoyed watching the non-US boxers that I've never really seen before live. I've been impressed the most with Russell Lamour (sp?). He is a very skilled boxers and I have to be honest, I've heard his name but he was not on my radar. He's my favorite so far. Can't wait to see Javier Torres and Cam Thompson and also Raynell Williams and Everton Lopes.

[T Duquette]

I agree DC, Ive also been very impressed by the action in the fights Ive seen. And Im very proud of my New England teamate Russ, havent gotten to see him fight yet though... On a side note, I was wondering what you meen by "good Offers?"