Fat Git wrote:We hear that promoters and managers read this forum, so our ideas must count right? So, if you have an idea which you think would make a good promotional gimmick that promoters can use, this is the thread to put them down. So, I will start off with my brilliant idea.
Advertise in job centres up and down the country for heavyweights (eight or 16) minimum requirements, they have to be 6 ft and over and over 15 stone, no boxing experience but be in shape and pass the BBB of C medical, and train them for 12 weeks (it will take that long for them to learn the basics) they will be on a decent wage and at the end of 12 weeks, put them in a prizefighter style torunament - not during an evening but one that stretches out over a month and at the end of it, you will have a 4-0 unbeaten heavyweight - think of
all the publicity and media around a story like that? Call it the 'Economic Crisis heavyweight championship'.
As Apollo Creed once said about the public and that they are sentimental and they love nothing better than a good underdog stroy, well times that by 10 with the British public - that is what Simon Cowell relies on with his silly pop shows - he knows that the British public will get behind an underdog, and if they can do that for a soppy pop singer - they will do it for an aspiring boxer.
Now that is a good idea, and if any promoter fancies carrying the ball with this one, well, no need to thank me.
While your idea is great in theory, there a number of flaws that would prevent a reputable promoter trying such a thing.
Firstly the economics are not as great as you believe they are. You've got a minimum of eight blokes training for 12 weeks. You say "they'll be on a decent wage", but from who?
If you conservatively estimate that a decent wage is £300 to £400 per week. That's £2,400 to £3,200 per week in costs. Over 12 weeks training that equates to £28,800 to £38,400.
Then you've got to consider licensing and medicals. The first question is if the board will licence eight big lumps with no amateur experience. I'd imagine the answer is no, so before you start you'll probably have to get them some amateur bouts. That adds extra time, extra headaches and extra costs.
Medicals and licensing costs are in excess of £800 per boxer. These guys are on the dole so the promoter will also have to pay these costs, which will come to more than £6,400.
Add onto that the cost of advertising, poster design, PR work, venue hire, board taxes and costs, ring hire etc and before you've even put on your first show you're going to be more than £60,000 in the hole.
Also, what happens if a couple of these novices drop out midway through the training period? Are you going to bring other inexperienced big lumps in and only give them the few weeks left until your show? You can't put your show back because it would be too expensive. On top of that, which self-respecting trainers are going to risk their reputations and the potentially waste their time training big lumps that probably can't fight to save their lives because they have absolutely no amateur pedigree?
The only way it has the slimmest chance of working is if a TV company is involved from day one and is willing to bankroll the entire operation. Given that TV companies are very reluctant to spend money on shows involving actual genuine boxers, it is very unlikely that they would get behind such a venture. This is the pain game, it isn't wannabes singing a song for no pay. You cannot compare boxing to a talent show because of the preparation needed and the risks involved.
These guys are novices and, let's be honest, they are being used. If one of them gets seriously hurt then the promoter will get absolutely crucified by the press. The financial reality and the huge risks to the health of those involved means the idea is just not viable.
