Semi pro boxing killing a dying sport

[john welsh]

opinions welcome.

[JDC]

Do they have headgear AND get paid?

If so, I'm in favour.

[iftkwoody]

I think its bad I lose a lot of ticket sales to guys on these shows. Then again people want to see tear ups and most people wouldnt know a decent fighter if they see one. I understand why people do it but it does always make me winder when the promoters of these shows talk as if their fighters are good enough to warrant their titles of british oreuropean champ. I just think people are being duped into a low quality night of boxing just because joe bloggs down the local pub sells more tickets

[john welsh]

"Do they have headgear AND get paid?


No headgear and you get paid by how much tickets they sell.

[Brit Ryan]

I would argue that it is keeping the grass roots sport alive.
The problem is the lack of allure of the amateur sport - that is the number 1 area that needs fixing

[Newport Daz]

I don't know whether it's killing the sport, but went to a show some years ago here in Newport. To be honest I was appalled at the level of "boxing", it was the sort of standard that 2 drunks in a pub car park would fight at. In fairness to them it was well organised and promoted and there was a very good turn out, a lot of tickets had been sold. I've not been to one of these events since as I was bored. I'd rather save my money and pay extra to see pro's at Newport leisure centre. Here the girls come to your table to take drink order and deliver them! A much better night out.

[damianhucker1]

John - First off in which town/city was this held ?

I know a couple of bbu promotors and generally theyve been descent when ive took lads as opponents .

Also you mentioned a prizefighter in the midlands , again where is this one ?

Although i would say , i had an ex pro from a bbu promotor on my show last week to challenge for super middleweight title , and he was blown away insude a round by pretty much one of the waekest champions ive got ,so if hes one of the better lads that particular promotor has then his shows i imagine wouldnt be great , but as already stated the bbu events ive seen have been a reasonable standard .

[cocobongo]

I go to quite a few unlicensed shows and wont lie i think 4/5 are a good night out maybe the standard of boxing isnt great but they are usually competative and as i say i see it more of a nightout than going to a boxing show

[DavidPayne]

Is this that Queensberry League nonsense?

[john welsh]

Yeah i suppose,they make their own rules..like they make paper champions.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

All people want to see is a 50/50 fight - nobody wants to see a 60-54 job. That is why semi-pro/unlicensed boxing is taking over. I would rather watch two unskilled guys who are evenly matched and having a go than some skilled fighter taking every round against a journeyman - anyone who says different is a liar.

[mcjarvo]

is this serious? the thing you called semi pro boxing, is white collar boxing. I went to one last month and I it was entertaining but please a hafe descent amature boxer would wipe the floor with white collar boxing. both amature and the pros are much better have have a lot more skill to show.

[iftkwoody]

I was at a show a few weeks back (unlicensed) watching a friend and i invited 2 guys that come to watch me fight (pro) after a few fights 2 if which were for british titles they turned to me and said "when we gonna see some boxing??" "We could see this sort of fighting down the local boozer" now they had a bit not much but a bit of knowledge of Boxing and they knew the level was terrible. It does seem most people enjoy the shows but then theses are the sort of people that would pay to see a fight in a car park. I and most Boxing fans would much rather see a pro show of any level than that!!!

[WelshDevil]

I worked as a runner (ring whip) at a show in Cardiff, back in January.

Tbh, I enjoyed the experience and the fights were entertaining.

It was a Wales vs England night and it did end badly when one of the 'home' fighters, who had earlier in the evening won, decided to start smashing up the dressing room. He then decided to start fighting the crowd when he was leaving the dressing room.

Obviously, the Police were called and stopped the show and I only got to see five fights and not the BMBO Title matches.

I did witness one of the most brutal KOs that I've seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRtbtoeWTqU

[Jacko11]

John your talking about Craig Winters show, mis matches? shocking? The BBU is set up by ex Pro's - Billy Bessy, Pete Jackson, Craig Winter, Martyn Bailey.... we have license's, proper medicalls, ex pro referee everything we can to make it safe and fair matching, the weigh in's are proper, weighed in together...i was at that show, there wasnt one mis match, the only one that was one sided was the heavyweights but as the pro game we have our journeyman also...and he came in at 11am onthat day to save the bout.... i am not sidning with our littel organisation but not sure why ur rubbishing Craig;s show

[Jacko11]

I think its bad I lose a lot of ticket sales to guys on these shows. Then again people want to see tear ups and most people wouldnt know a decent fighter if they see one. I understand why people do it but it does always make me winder when the promoters of these shows talk as if their fighters are good enough to warrant their titles of british oreuropean champ. I just think people are being duped into a low quality night of boxing just because joe bloggs down the local pub sells more tickets

Yes agreed,it`s not about the skills,it gives boxing a proper blood sport name by doing these events.
I agree as well,the promoter/trainer(whos name i wont mention incase they read this) talks loads of rubbish that his lads are champs and he`s gonna have a stable of champs.
Theres a big semi pro event in the midlands in may that is being scripted at a prize fighter to...



John, its called 'King of the Ring' where you getting your information from?

Craig winter says no such thighns about his boxers and stable?

We sell out our shows everytime beacause both lads come to win unlke the pro game people are sick of seeing journeyman tuck up thats whats killing the pro game small hall wise...our lads are ALL trained by EX PRO's and the shows are put on by ex Pros

[saturday_kid]

I was at a show a few weeks back (unlicensed) watching a friend and i invited 2 guys that come to watch me fight (pro) after a few fights 2 if which were for british titles they turned to me and said "when we gonna see some boxing??" "We could see this sort of fighting down the local boozer" now they had a bit not much but a bit of knowledge of Boxing and they knew the level was terrible. It does seem most people enjoy the shows but then theses are the sort of people that would pay to see a fight in a car park. I and most Boxing fans would much rather see a pro show of any level than that!!!

Right, but what's your point? People who think unlicensed/white-collar boxing is "killing a dying sport" are wrong. Well wrong. It's a bit like saying Sunday League is killing football. The more people who box the better. If they're good enough to cut it as a licensed pro, great. If they're not and still want to have a go, great. Amateur, unlicensed, it doesn't matter.

Go down to your local Sunday League team's match this weekend. Might bes, never will bes, never weres, and hasbeens. They all love the game, though.

Thats a good point that.

Anyone got a comprehensive list of unlicensed/white collar organisations and theyre locations?

[john welsh]

I think its bad I lose a lot of ticket sales to guys on these shows. Then again people want to see tear ups and most people wouldnt know a decent fighter if they see one. I understand why people do it but it does always make me winder when the promoters of these shows talk as if their fighters are good enough to warrant their titles of british oreuropean champ. I just think people are being duped into a low quality night of boxing just because joe bloggs down the local pub sells more tickets

Yes agreed,it`s not about the skills,it gives boxing a proper blood sport name by doing these events.
I agree as well,the promoter/trainer(whos name i wont mention incase they read this) talks loads of rubbish that his lads are champs and he`s gonna have a stable of champs.
Theres a big semi pro event in the midlands in may that is being scripted at a prize fighter to...



John, its called 'King of the Ring' where you getting your information from?

Craig winter says no such thighns about his boxers and stable?

We sell out our shows everytime beacause both lads come to win unlke the pro game people are sick of seeing journeyman tuck up thats whats killing the pro game small hall wise...our lads are ALL trained by EX PRO's and the shows are put on by ex Pros

Mr green of holyhead is who im on about,he wasn`t a pro!!

[WelshDevil]

Semi-Pro boxing reminds me alot of Boxing Booths.

Boxing booths have been around, mainly, since the 1860s at the start of the Queensbury Rules. They continued even upto the 1970's.
Booths weren't licensed by the BBBofC and involved payment for fighting.

Alot of very good fighters started off in the booths and the same could happen through semi-pro.

[Jacko11]

John -
Jonny Green or anyone else are MORE THEN WELCOME to join the BBU we are trying to set a standard and maintain it....John is new to the game yes but there isnt no reason why he cant join us and learn, i just send two of my lads to the Pro's and there will be many more same as Craig winters lads and maybe Billy Bessey's....

[Jeff Thomas]

I was at a show a few weeks back (unlicensed) watching a friend and i invited 2 guys that come to watch me fight (pro) after a few fights 2 if which were for british titles they turned to me and said "when we gonna see some boxing??" "We could see this sort of fighting down the local boozer" now they had a bit not much but a bit of knowledge of Boxing and they knew the level was terrible. It does seem most people enjoy the shows but then theses are the sort of people that would pay to see a fight in a car park. I and most Boxing fans would much rather see a pro show of any level than that!!!

Right, but what's your point? People who think unlicensed/white-collar boxing is "killing a dying sport" are wrong. Well wrong. It's a bit like saying Sunday League is killing football. The more people who box the better. If they're good enough to cut it as a licensed pro, great. If they're not and still want to have a go, great. Amateur, unlicensed, it doesn't matter.

Go down to your local Sunday League team's match this weekend. Might bes, never will bes, never weres, and hasbeens. They all love the game, though.

good way to look at it but a lot of these guys think they are the real deal.

[JamesH]

I was at a show a few weeks back (unlicensed) watching a friend and i invited 2 guys that come to watch me fight (pro) after a few fights 2 if which were for british titles they turned to me and said "when we gonna see some boxing??" "We could see this sort of fighting down the local boozer" now they had a bit not much but a bit of knowledge of Boxing and they knew the level was terrible. It does seem most people enjoy the shows but then theses are the sort of people that would pay to see a fight in a car park. I and most Boxing fans would much rather see a pro show of any level than that!!!

Right, but what's your point? People who think unlicensed/white-collar boxing is "killing a dying sport" are wrong. Well wrong. It's a bit like saying Sunday League is killing football. The more people who box the better. If they're good enough to cut it as a licensed pro, great. If they're not and still want to have a go, great. Amateur, unlicensed, it doesn't matter.

Go down to your local Sunday League team's match this weekend. Might bes, never will bes, never weres, and hasbeens. They all love the game, though.

good way to look at it but a lot of these guys think they are the real deal.

So do some pro's mate.

[Jeff Thomas]

Right, but what's your point? People who think unlicensed/white-collar boxing is "killing a dying sport" are wrong. Well wrong. It's a bit like saying Sunday League is killing football. The more people who box the better. If they're good enough to cut it as a licensed pro, great. If they're not and still want to have a go, great. Amateur, unlicensed, it doesn't matter.

Go down to your local Sunday League team's match this weekend. Might bes, never will bes, never weres, and hasbeens. They all love the game, though.

good way to look at it but a lot of these guys think they are the real deal.

So do some pro's mate.

Ha ha well they've usually done it the hard way so I think they've certainly got more right to believe that to some juiced up roid bomb who knocks over a dummy

[JamesH]

good way to look at it but a lot of these guys think they are the real deal.

So do some pro's mate.

Ha ha well they've usually done it the hard way so I think they've certainly got more right to believe that to some juiced up roid bomb who knocks over a dummy

Oooh I dont know about that Jeff. To generalise and call the white collar fighters 'roid bombs' or 'dummys' is akin to grouping journeymen together as 'losers' isn't it? Never heard you being elitest before

[Jeff Thomas]

So do some pro's mate.

Ha ha well they've usually done it the hard way so I think they've certainly got more right to believe that to some juiced up roid bomb who knocks over a dummy

Oooh I dont know about that Jeff. To generalise and call the white collar fighters 'roid bombs' or 'dummys' is akin to grouping journeymen together as 'losers' isn't it? Never heard you being elitest before

true mate maybe I shouldn't generalise - certainly not an elitist my mate... Each to their own I suppose