Semi pro wtf

[billy nelson]

I'd just like to say that under no circumstance should white collar promoters be allowed to call any of there fighters semi professional, no way are these guys anywhere near the standard of a pro fighter and defo shouldn't be allowed to think they are in any way shape or form.
By all means continue the white collar stuff as long as its ran appropriately,there's enjoyment in it for the lads but please leave out the semi pro bit!

[lefty]

I'd just like to say that under no circumstance should white collar promoters be allowed to call any of there fighters semi professional, no way are these guys anywhere near the standard of a pro fighter and defo shouldn't be allowed to think they are in any way shape or form.
By all means continue the white collar stuff as long as its ran appropriately,there's enjoyment in it for the lads but please leave out the semi pro bit!

Well to be fair Billy, semi pro footballers are nowhere near the same level as top level professional players but they're still semi-pro because they make somewhat of a living out of it even if it is only a bit.

[damianhucker1]

I'd just like to say that under no circumstance should white collar promoters be allowed to call any of there fighters semi professional, no way are these guys anywhere near the standard of a pro fighter and defo shouldn't be allowed to think they are in any way shape or form.
By all means continue the white collar stuff as long as its ran appropriately,there's enjoyment in it for the lads but please leave out the semi pro bit!

Its kind of evolved a bit recently, at least here in my part of the country.

White collar seems to be generally used by shows who arrange an 8 week training camp for guys who have no previous boxing experience and in all honesty are poor but they are having a go. they dont usually get paid as they are given the 8 weeks of training free, but still have to sell tickets , so nothing more than a money spinner for the promoters really.

The Semi pro shows are guys who train 5 timer or more a week and take it seriously but arent all good enough to be going pro or have been knocked back by the board etc, and distances themselves from the white collar novice, as theres a definate difference between the two. those doing semi pro do get paid, which is why i think the term was first used. a bit like the comparison on how semi pro footballers get a small wage.

Whilst i realise many people in the pro game dont like the name, its pretty much common place now, sounds less dodgy than unlicensed and makes people aware they are better standard than the white collar shows, of course i cant answer for events across the country but thats pretty much how it is in Midlands area.

In the end though wether its unlicensed, semi pro, white collar etc , its still all the same thing

[mickey1975]

I have seen a few, most crap, but there are a few who could be decent pros. A guy I know who does it could beat many pros in his weight right now.

[TopGun]

I'd just like to say that under no circumstance should white collar promoters be allowed to call any of there fighters semi professional, no way are these guys anywhere near the standard of a pro fighter and defo shouldn't be allowed to think they are in any way shape or form.
By all means continue the white collar stuff as long as its ran appropriately,there's enjoyment in it for the lads but please leave out the semi pro bit!

Well to be fair Billy, semi pro footballers are nowhere near the same level as top level professional players but they're still semi-pro because they make somewhat of a living out of it even if it is only a bit.

That's not true, I used to be with a pro club and then got realeased and played semi pro football along with a squad of ex pro players, so the gap was not that great and we were paid good money.

I fought last year in a 'semi pro' boxing bill, that's what they called it. We had 10oz gloves, no head guards and it was 3x2min rounds and was paid for it without selling a single ticket. I was offered a pro boxing contract by well known promoter and believe could do ok but I hate getting hit and don't need to as I have a reasonable job and family. I just don't have that sheer grit and will power to be a boxer. I love the sport and I think it's because I know what it takes to be good at it. It's lonely and bloody hard, does not get enough appreciation from people. I recently heard Andy Murray talk about boxing as he is a big fan and he acknowledged how hard and mentally draining it is which was good of him.

[JamieM]

Totally agree, Been seeing quite alot of posts and that all over facebook regarding come watch the best boxers scotland has to offer etc. Ridiculous although I did see a promotion I think it was Edinburgh V Glasgow that looked immense, Better than the pro shows, sure its on youtube:)

[billy nelson]

I'm not questioning the ability to runaway good show or not but there is no such thing as semi pro boxing

[Black Sam Bellamy]

I just hope the right level of medical care is provided at these shows.

[lefty]

I'd just like to say that under no circumstance should white collar promoters be allowed to call any of there fighters semi professional, no way are these guys anywhere near the standard of a pro fighter and defo shouldn't be allowed to think they are in any way shape or form.
By all means continue the white collar stuff as long as its ran appropriately,there's enjoyment in it for the lads but please leave out the semi pro bit!

Well to be fair Billy, semi pro footballers are nowhere near the same level as top level professional players but they're still semi-pro because they make somewhat of a living out of it even if it is only a bit.

That's not true, I used to be with a pro club and then got realeased and played semi pro football along with a squad of ex pro players, so the gap was not that great and we were paid good money.

I fought last year in a 'semi pro' boxing bill, that's what they called it. We had 10oz gloves, no head guards and it was 3x2min rounds and was paid for it without selling a single ticket. I was offered a pro boxing contract by well known promoter and believe could do ok but I hate getting hit and don't need to as I have a reasonable job and family. I just don't have that sheer grit and will power to be a boxer. I love the sport and I think it's because I know what it takes to be good at it. It's lonely and bloody hard, does not get enough appreciation from people. I recently heard Andy Murray talk about boxing as he is a big fan and he acknowledged how hard and mentally draining it is which was good of him.

It depends on what level of the non-professional ranks you're at though and what club aswell. If it's a club that was in the not so distant past a league club, it's a bit different. I know what you mean generally speaking though.

[TopGun]

I'm not questioning the ability to runaway good show or not but there is no such thing as semi pro boxing

Why not Billy? They pay and are not full time boxers so what do you call it? The one I fought in was no different to a pro fight really apart from perhaps the standard.

[TopGun]

I'm not questioning the ability to runaway good show or not but there is no such thing as semi pro boxing

Why not Billy? They pay and are not full time boxers so what do you call it? The one I fought in was no different to a pro fight really apart from perhaps the standard.

The show I was involved in was unlicensed not white collar (roy shaw, Lenny Mclean style!)

[mickey1975]

Aren't most fighters semi pro as they also have a job. Hence the saying "I'm going full time pro now"....

[Alba]

Totally agree, Been seeing quite alot of posts and that all over facebook regarding come watch the best boxers scotland has to offer etc. Ridiculous although I did see a promotion I think it was Edinburgh V Glasgow that looked immense, Better than the pro shows, sure its on youtube:)

Don't think that wAs unlicensed/semi pro/white collet/blue coller or what ever people want to call it.

Think it was amatuer ...sold out the usher hall, with at least over a thousand there...which is a good achievement

[bluenoseshf]

Totally agree, Been seeing quite alot of posts and that all over facebook regarding come watch the best boxers scotland has to offer etc. Ridiculous although I did see a promotion I think it was Edinburgh V Glasgow that looked immense, Better than the pro shows, sure its on youtube:)

Was that the show on the 21st of September? If so I boxed on that show as an amatuer, it was a mix of Am and Semi pro fights. Some of the fighters on their could be and probably will be pro within the next few years.

The Guy that put on the show Brad Welsh is a far better promotor than the likes of Gilmour and Morrison. You couldnt move for posters in the city and the place was full at 2200 people.
Appartently there is a show on at St andrews boxing club next week but ive not heard anything and cant find anything anywhere about it.

[bluenoseshf]

As well the whole "Come see the best scotland has to offer etc"

Is that not just as bad as Pros saying their in a world title fight when its the WBU, WBF etc

[davidgaye]

have to agree with billy here no such thing as semi pro boxing at least semi pro footballers get picked to play in the side on ability i couldn't turn up to the match and get a game i could turn up at a "semi pro" show an fight tho i know lads who call themselves semi pro boxers an talk of going pro an i work with pro boxers who are levels above but no doubting there is lads who box on these semi pro shows with ability who could go pro but not very many in my opinion

[grub]

Aren't most fighters semi pro as they also have a job. Hence the saying "I'm going full time pro now"....

Beat me to it!

Agree, there are relatively few full time 'professional' boxers. Most have to supplement their boxing income.

[iftkwoody]

In my opinion guys like froch, groves, degale, kahn etc etc (basically anyone who needs not work are professional boxers. I am a professional boxer per se but like most I have to work alongside it to make ends meet. I would be what should be known as a semi professional.

The guys that fight on these shows work hard and train hard and some of them would do well as licensed professional boxers but they are not semi pro boxers. It has nothing to do with the quality of the fights (I've seen some really shockingly bad quality fights though) just that the organisation is completely different.

[Callowland]

Ross Minter's Queensbury Boxing League has some good operators who could go pro tomorrow, and indeed some have.

[spudder56]

I just hope the right level of medical care is provided at these shows.

All boxers sign a waiver so god knows what medical cover they have perhaps the promotor dials 999 if somebody gets hurt

[damianhucker1]

Ross Minter's Queensbury Boxing League has some good operators who could go pro tomorrow, and indeed some have.

*** rant deleted ***

Remember -- All that shines isnt necessarily golden

[mickey1975]

Ross Minter's Queensbury Boxing League has some good operators who could go pro tomorrow, and indeed some have.

I know a kid who's just got in that. What's the carry on?

[iftkwoody]

Its a well run promotion and there are a few decent lads fighting on the shows but they are very few and far between certainly not more than one or 2 I have seen that would make good pros

[Emmseegee]

a young boy about 21 from my neck of the woods was talking to me and a group I train with in my local gym and said he was fighting a couple of days later. One of the guys amongst us has been involved with training amateurs and pro's for many years and obliged when the boy asked him to take a wee pad session. Afterwards he tried to persuade the boy against fighting but it was clear that the guy had made his mind up that he was gonna give it a go.

He said he had trained in the gym 3 times before being offered a fight (a different gym from where we met him i must add), he didnt know how long each round was gonna be, didnt know he had to bring his own gum shield and was leaving the gym that day to buy wraps and boots.................... He turned up on the night and got knocked out cold within 20 seconds, the guy he was fighting was apparently bouncing about with his own customised glittery shorts on and a big following as if he was some sort of superstar. Thats the other side of white collar/semi-pro boxing!

[stevedoc]

i went to a show and the level was that of a 2 fight amateur novice , one fighter looked like a WWF wrestler about 6'4 260 pounds of pure muscle and he was terrible he was fighting a guy that was 2 stone over weight but had obviously done a bit before the unfit guy easily beat the hulk but the hulk got the verdict .

i can see a place for it if say your 27 and want to try boxing ,it would be hard to get a amateur fight so i guess i see why they do it