How do amateurs boxers make the move into the pro game???

KANO · Post by **KANO** » 18 Dec 2005, 01:59

how do they do it.

can an amateur have just a dozen or so fights then turn pro?

and is being 22 to old to be hoping to ever be pro. I've trained for a few months, i'm hoping to fight in February and maybe get 6 fights this season. Am i fooling myself in having this dream of making it as a pro?

ABA Boxing · Post by **ABA Boxing** » 18 Dec 2005, 08:05

22 is no way to old.

Im 28 & still haven't done it yet. But i am a heavyweight, if you are one of the lighter weights maybe you want to do it sooner than later.

The amount of Amateur fights you have dosent matter either. It makes a big difference to what you get paid though & more experience cant do any harm.

If you get a national title or World/Olympic Medal you can add a few 00000 to your contract so its up to you if you stay as an Amateur longer.

Whatever you do find a good gym & ask other pro fighters about there managers before you put pen to paper. Dont take the first offer because you are desperate to become pro!

KANO · Post by **KANO** » 18 Dec 2005, 19:07

Thanks pal. I'm a light heavyweight at amateur but I fight at 180 lbs but sometimes my weight get's up to 200 lbs if I was doing it full time i'd either fight at Light Heavyweight or Cruiserweight.
Do fighters have contracts then. Like they'd get paid for 5 years? or do they just get paid per fight for X amount of fights?
Do you know if there's any website listing all the pro gyms in England? I find the amateur clubs no probs but the pro gyms seem a bit hidden away.

ibbo · Post by **ibbo** » 19 Dec 2005, 15:12

But the manager usually lends you the money for the medical and everything and will then take it out of your pursees

Neri · Post by **Neri** » 26 Dec 2005, 11:18

billy bessey wrote:im a pro heavyweight you normally sign up with a manager for 3 years he arranges your fights and provides gym facilitys he normally takes a 25% cut of your money than you have a trainer which is normally about another 10% unless your something special i really wouldnt bother i wish i was still amateur theres no fun in the pro game at all its a buisness you have to train a lot loger and more often and unless you get to the very top theres no money either and unless your a journeyman you only get around 4 fights a year i wish i could go back amateur theres nothing better than the buzz of being in the a.b.as and most others who i know who turned pro including kevin bennett [commonwealth lightweight champion] wish they stayed amateur but one mans beef is another mans poison so you never know you might be different so good luck anyway if you need to know anything else just message me
billy
p.s in order to turn pro you have to produce evidence of your am career and if you aint had too many bouts they will ask you to do a ring test[spar someone] than you have to have a medical and brain scan[which is annually and costs about £400 all in all]

Thanks for the good insight. Hope things look up for you in 2006

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » 13 Jan 2006, 21:41

Different states, countries etc. have different rules. The U.S.A. has enacted legislation, The Muhamad Ali Boxing Reform Act, to make the various rules somewhat standard and consistent but used to you'd have to go before a state commission panel or board and they'd assess your physical health and limitation, your amateur background and your ability to protect yourself. I suggest staying amatuer at least two years for you. If you have ability a manager or advisor will contact you after one of your many tournament victories or showings. Also, you have to take part in a series of pre-fight medical exams before participating in a professional bout. Some of the motivation behind the reform act was to prevent boxing promoters from combing homeless shelters for "opponents". You could make a decent supplemental income being a professional "opponent" but keep in mind, keeping a day job while your ribs are cracked, your hands are stiff and you can't see out of one eye is no piece of cake.