When was last time a fighter without a big promoter made it?

[reggaereggae]

I was just thinking - there are a lot of fighters fighting for low profile promoters.... on small hall shows. But when was the last big success from a fighter who wasn't signed to a big outfit?

[adam426]

I was just thinking - there are a lot of fighters fighting for low profile promoters.... on small hall shows. But when was the last big success from a fighter who wasn't signed to a big outfit?

Depends what you define as "big success" but Iain Butcher is doing pretty well with Prospect Boxing right now

[The Law]

I was just thinking - there are a lot of fighters fighting for low profile promoters.... on small hall shows. But when was the last big success from a fighter who wasn't signed to a big outfit?

Depends what you define as "big success" but Iain Butcher is doing pretty well with Prospect Boxing right now

Indeed, it also depends on how you define a 'big outfit'. Does Dennis Hobson run a big outfit these days? If not then I would throw Jamie McDonnell in to the mix (i.e. prior to him moving to Matchroom).

[expe]

I was just thinking - there are a lot of fighters fighting for low profile promoters.... on small hall shows. But when was the last big success from a fighter who wasn't signed to a big outfit?

Depends what you define as "big success" but Iain Butcher is doing pretty well with Prospect Boxing right now

Indeed, it also depends on how you define a 'big outfit'. Does Dennis Hobson run a big outfit these days? If not then I would throw Jamie McDonnell in to the mix (i.e. prior to him moving to Matchroom).

Stuart Hall too then, Clinton Woods as well. If Hobson doesn't count, then Steve Robinson will probably be up there, his name always seems to pop up in threads like these.

[Boxing Prospect]

Depends what you mean by made it
Also depends what you class as a big promoter
AND depends whether it's just British you want to know about...

Jonriel Casimero and Moruti Mthalane both spring to mind for doing pretty well with out a major promoter (though both did fail to make good money)

[The Law]

Depends what you define as "big success" but Iain Butcher is doing pretty well with Prospect Boxing right now

Indeed, it also depends on how you define a 'big outfit'. Does Dennis Hobson run a big outfit these days? If not then I would throw Jamie McDonnell in to the mix (i.e. prior to him moving to Matchroom).

Stuart Hall too then, Clinton Woods as well. If Hobson doesn't count, then Steve Robinson will probably be up there, his name always seems to pop up in threads like these.

Well said. I know it's not quite the same but George Groves has no promoter at the moment and only had a temporary 3 fight deal with Matchroom which ran out prior to the first Froch v Groves fight (I know he was previously signed up to Hayemaker promotions). Therefore we might soon have a world champion without a promoter.

If we look a bit further back then Paul Hodkinson stands out for me.

[Wales]

Haye self promoted for much of his time, and was very forceful in calling shots rest of the time.


Klitchkos were also very savvy, great story about Don King trying to sign them just as they were breaking through and everyone was vying for them.

Vitali went to meet with King and was impressed by his plans and patter (as youd expect of Don). King then started to discuss the arts and music with Vitali, which he knew was of interest. All of a sudden King moved over to a classic piano that was in the room and began playing a classical symphony, the flawless demonstration and range of Kings skill on the ivory impressed Vitali until he approached the piano and realised King wasnt playing at all, it was all motorised with king just giving the impression he was the intellectual musical genius with the same ethos as Dr Ironfist - needless to say that was the end of the negotiations.

Makes you wonder how many lesser men king managed to charm manipulate over the years...

[dalcumly]

Sad to say, they don't make it ( if you mean making big money) without a big promoter.

[manno]

Clinton n Dennis best example for me, although Dennis got a few quid in his own right started Clinton off topping bills on little shows at the pine grove etc, nobody really heard of woods til he stepped in at late notice for David statue n beat baker for the commonwealth. Stuck with each other and Clinton finished up multi titled and a good few quid n Dennis established himself as a big promoter although a level below the fws and hearns. A nice story to watch unfold tbh.

[bripez]

If we look a bit further back then Paul Hodkinson stands out for me.

Wasn't he managed and promoted by Barney Eastwood - at the time one of the biggest promoters just after the Barry McGuigan era?

[The Law]

If we look a bit further back then Paul Hodkinson stands out for me.

Wasn't he managed and promoted by Barney Eastwood - at the time one of the biggest promoter just after the Barry McGuigan era?

Correct. However, I would not call him amongst the 'biggest promoters'. I would put him in the middle category if there's such a thing. He did promote a few notable names (such as Barry) no doubt. However, his main focus was as a bookmaker. I can not recall many big arena shows that he promoted but I may be wrong. I always had the feeling that a lot of his fighters fought away from home or on small hall shows at home.

[Old bones Ian]

Would Dennis Andries come into this? I can't remember who promoted him.

[manno]

Would Dennis Andries come into this? I can't remember who promoted him.

Good shout Dennis boxed for Harry holland/Greg steene I think, during his 1st incarnation when he monolopised the domestic scene. Do you think they would have to have "sold" a share in him tho to duff/Barrett etc to get that 1st WBC title shot?

[manno]

If we look a bit further back then Paul Hodkinson stands out for me.

Wasn't he managed and promoted by Barney Eastwood - at the time one of the biggest promoter just after the Barry McGuigan era?

Correct. However, I would not call him amongst the 'biggest promoters'. I would put him in the middle category if there's such a thing. He did promote a few notable names (such as Barry) no doubt. However, his main focus was as a bookmaker. I can not recall many big arena shows that he promoted but I may be wrong. I always had the feeling that a lot of his fighters fought away from home or on small hall shows at home.

Yeh spot on, was what I meant about Hobson, not the top boys but up there. Also I don't know if Bj was involved with Hugh Russell etc but I would say Barry was his breakthrough fighter, followed by dave McCauley and claws espano(spelling?)

[expe]

Was Glenn Catley with the Sanigars when he won his world title?

[bennie]

Ken Buchanan made it to the world lightweight title in Puerto Rico without big backing. He then fought abroad as a world champion, with a couple of non-title appearances here in which, ironically, he failed to shine.

[manno]

Was Glenn Catley with the Sanigars when he won his world title?

Thought fw promoted him? At least til British title

[JimJim2009]

I think David Haye is the best British example. He has only ever signed very short term deals with promoters, and he doesn't renew them. He walks away and does his own thing.

[wrimc]

My personal opinion is that the best model for a fighter is to have a good manager that will look after you and move you from stable to stable and self promote if necessary look at Haye and booth as an example. A boxer who is good and is a free agent has the most bargaining power and will earn the most money

[Wales]

Sad to say, they don't make it ( if you mean making big money) without a big promoter.

So many are ripped off by promoters too. How often did Don King walk into the ring with one fighter and out of the ring with the other.

[rhino222]

Haye virtually self promoted himself to the world heavyweight crown.

[ERIC GUY]

LENNOX LEWIS, Frank was only a small hall promoter, york hall, battersea town hall etc,

[mickey1975]

LENNOX LEWIS, Frank was only a small hall promoter, york hall, battersea town hall etc,

He had a big backer though and outbid the big guys for Lennox. Long term investment.

[TheGoods]

Michael Hunter won a British title without TV under Dave Garside and Neil Fannan.

[mickey1975]

Michael Hunter won a British title without TV under Dave Garside and Neil Fannan.

You won't get many bigger promoters than Dave...