Opinions of experts and insiders please....

[Ezzard]

Duran and Chavez, like old-timers going way back, fought a lot of non-title fights when they were stars. I always thought it was a good idea.

Keeps them in shape, experience of different styles, builds the fan base, earns them a few quid, keeps the sport on the back pages...

Wouldn’t this be good for some of our star boxers? What about Froch, Brook, Frampton, Burns fighting 6 rounders all on the same bill? To keep busy, raise their profiles, between their big fights?

I’m sure there are many reasons why this is a bad idea and Duran and Chavez were just one-offs. Would love to hear what people think?

[TJ77]

Im also neither.
Would need a tv station to take the plunge and support it.
But if they got well promoted top boxers it would draw the casual
fans.Maybe a good pitch for matchroom when their deals up for
review.

[magnus]

I'm all in favour of non-title fights. Then again, when I started watching boxing it was still a regular occurrence (Toney/Jones Jnr/Chavez).

Don't see the point of world class fighters fighting anything less than 10 rounders tbh.

Christ, just read the title of this topic, I'm neither an expert or an insider btw!

[Old bones Ian]

There's not many that do that nowadays, its most boxers in the far east or the occasional mexican champion that does.

Chavez used to do it to box in front of his fans in Mexico, he'd give them a bit of moneys worth for a couple of rounds, before bringing up the heat and stopping his opponent. Thing is some of his non-title opponents were better than some 'world' title challenger boxers i've seen on these shores.

[Ratchet Exits Nu]

Non title?

As long as SKY/MAtchroom do not charge PPV for it then I am cool.

[Wales]

Gotta put food on the table.

[Ezzard]

Defintiely non-title fights.

Anyone can answer just thought there might be an obvious reason why this hasn't been done.

[iamasadlittleboy]

There's not many that do that nowadays, its most boxers in the far east or the occasional mexican champion that does.

Chavez used to do it to box in front of his fans in Mexico, he'd give them a bit of moneys worth for a couple of rounds, before bringing up the heat and stopping his opponent. Thing is some of his non-title opponents were better than some 'world' title challenger boxers i've seen on these shores.

Not many in the East do it any more, though of course Wonjongkam was famous for doing it.

I like the idea as long as they defend their title 2 or 3 times a year as well. Though I think it's a case of fighters not wanting to get cut and things like that so they just spar instead with head gear. It's interesting though.

Also I think some fans would turn on fighters for it suggesting they are just record padding (this was often said about Wonjongkam) and looking for a quick buck which is a bit of a shame.

[Ezzard]

Defintiely non-title fights.

Anyone can answer just thought there might be an obvious reason why this hasn't been done.

Promoters want big fights, TV want titles on the line, managers/trainers/fighters want title fight money for non-title fights. There's a lot of reasons as to why they don't take place anymore, and the particulars will all blame one another so there's no point thinking about it.

You can't stop me. In my head these fights are happening all the time. Froch just KO'd the landlord of a B & B in the Cotswolds... Up next Chisora takes on a part-time machinist from Melton Mowbray in a four rounder...

Did you get my email?

[Flump]

Defintiely non-title fights.

Anyone can answer just thought there might be an obvious reason why this hasn't been done.

Promoters want big fights, TV want titles on the line, managers/trainers/fighters want title fight money for non-title fights. There's a lot of reasons as to why they don't take place anymore, and the particulars will all blame one another so there's no point thinking about it.

All true, and fighters seem to be obsessed by going into 'camp' now, rather than just keeping active, and therefore in shape. These non title fights are almost always over the weight limit they fight at anyway.

[Old bones Ian]

Ok, so who was the last World title holder from these shores to have a non-title fight?
I've no idea either.

[Ezzard]

Just wondering…would this be a good way of getting a solid following??? Writers have to do book signings across the country. Would say an established pro, maybe with some Olympic recognition, be able to cultivate a fan base in this way? Doing maybe 3 or 4 dates a year producing a groundswell of popularity?

I do see the risks, and appreciate it’s not going to happen, but could it work?

[stujones]

Ok, so who was the last World title holder from these shores to have a non-title fight?
I've no idea either.

Ken Buchanan, I think.

Although Ricky Burns was recently offered this.

[Alba]

I personally don't think it's a bad idea,as it keeps a fighter active and ticking over-bit we live in a different times nowadays in regards to what the fans expect and more importantly what they will pay for .i can't see most paying punters buying a ticket for a world champion fighting ,if he was in a eight rounder a gainst a journeyman etc.

[iamasadlittleboy]

I personally don't think it's a bad idea,as it keeps a fighter active and ticking over-bit we live in a different times nowadays in regards to what the fans expect and more importantly what they will pay for .i can't see most paying punters buying a ticket for a world champion fighting ,if he was in a eight rounder a gainst a journeyman etc.

Could flip it though and the world champion in an 8 rounder could be a co-feature to a world champion in a world title bout. For example Froch v Ward II with Burns lower down the card.

I know Miguel Vazquez fought a none title bout...last year I think (his opponent, Daniel Attah) wasn't accepted by the IBF so they fought a 10 rounder with Vazquez coming in over weight

[Old bones Ian]

Ok, so who was the last World title holder from these shores to have a non-title fight?
I've no idea either.

Ken Buchanan, I think.

I found one for John Conteh, in 1976 he beat Willie Taylor in Pennsylvania.

[Emmseegee]

It would definitely get bums on seats.
As long as it was sold as a tune up fight and ticket prices reflected it then no-one would feel conned.

This could even be done in an effort to expose small hall shows and prospects to sell out crowds by just throwing the big name in for an exhibition or tune up at the end of the show. I was at a show a while back when a young debutant's opponent pulled out at the last minute, he had sold tickets to friends, family and done a proper training camp. Instead of calling it off altogether he had an exhibition infront of a decent crowd against Ricky Burns who at the time was a world champion and announced to the ring as one i believe. Although it doesn't go on his record as an official bout he still in a way made his debut against a world champion. The crowd enjoyed what was basically a sparring session with no headgear even although there was a massive difference in experience.

My only concern with padding out undercards with big names would be that you would be taking away the "grass roots" as they call it in football. Where would the prospects fight?

[winkveron]

6 rounders against who though?

If for example Froch fought a bum over 6 rounds how would that raise his profile?

[mickey1975]

6 rounders against who though?

If for example Froch fought a bum over 6 rounds how would that raise his profile?

They were not bums. They were usually carefully chosen, durable gatekeepers/journeymen and the fights were generally over 10 rounds.

[Ezzard]

6 rounders against who though?

If for example Froch fought a bum over 6 rounds how would that raise his profile?

If Carl Froch did 4 or 6 rounds and the level was reflected in ticket price you'd stand a good chance of attracting a lot of people who wouldn't usually go.

As DM says, it won't happen but I think it could be a good way to raise the profile of a fighter.

[Old bones Ian]

I think it would be a good idea for someone like Ricky Burns to raise his profile in America, get him on a big bill in a Non-title 10 rounder

[Flump]

Ok, so who was the last World title holder from these shores to have a non-title fight?
I've no idea either.

Ken Buchanan, I think.

I found one for John Conteh, in 1976 he beat Willie Taylor in Pennsylvania.

That fight is one argument against non title fights to be fair, Conteh broke his hand as was never the same fighter again.

[Cholo_cws]

I'm pretty sure that a non-title fight needs approval from the alphabets and they take a fee for any titlist of theirs having a non-title fight (this may be a factor.) They don't miss a trick.

[iamasadlittleboy]

Kompayak Porpramook took one before his rematch with Adrien Hernandez last year as well!

[Khaosai-Galaxy]

Christ, can you imagine the reaction on here if our best fighters started doing uncompetitive 6 rounders against bin men and prison guards?