Is semi Pro Boxing Ruining the sport?

[john welsh]

I ask this because the boxing club im from has lost all of it`s boxers to "semi pro" boxing or as the trainer would say...bbu fight club.
i gave up boxing to follow my passion for running and thats partly down to the fact that i hated the club no longer doing fitness and just focusing on sparring.
the club im from no longer does amature.
do you think its bad for the sport?

[Adamj1987]

I'm not sure, it brings more shows to smaller towns. the small town i live in has started doing these shows and its good for me as a fan. but i do think its robbing some ams and journymen from the pro game.

[m1kee50]

I'm not sure, it brings more shows to smaller towns. the small town i live in has started doing these shows and its good for me as a fan. but i do think its robbing some ams and journymen from the pro game.

But why are these people preferring the 'semi-pro' or unlicensed variants, as opposed to going pro? Could the pro game accomodate these people rather than see them stay outside of it?

[Jeff Thomas]

The Pros are too expensive and too controlled for most of these lads who are generally pretty terrible. There are some good ones out there and though the shows are very entertaining they are having a more detrimental effect on amateur boxing then pro boxing.

You've got every Tom, dick and Harry calling themselves a boxing trainer - and worse yet a personal trainer because they no what a sit up is and can hold a set of pads. I think they are good for raising interest but at the same time I have very little respect for 99% of them simply because if your good enough go am, or pro.

That said the shows are no more damaging then prospect vs journeyman 'fights'......

I've seen some absolutely terrible fights on ebf unlicensed shows but at the same time the best ever live fight I saw was an ebf bout and I've watched a lot of fights over the years.

I used to respect any boxer and I still respect all pros and amateurs but as far as unlicensed goes I reserve my judgement till I see them actually fight because some them jump on the floor for £200 on an out of town show and that's plane theft.

They will kill it themselves I feel too many greedy people involved trying to make too much money. Some good guys involved in it too though I like spencer brown and his team are pretty cool.

[Adamj1987]

I'm not sure, it brings more shows to smaller towns. the small town i live in has started doing these shows and its good for me as a fan. but i do think its robbing some ams and journymen from the pro game.

But why are these people preferring the 'semi-pro' or unlicensed variants, as opposed to going pro? Could the pro game accomodate these people rather than see them stay outside of it?

To expensive, i think its 60 pound for a ebf licence and if you're making 200 a fight its worth it