BT Sport semi-pro prizefighter type tournament

[stevieb_8006]

Is this what Richie Davis is getting involved in?

[Boxing Prospect]

Sounds like boxing's version of 20-20. I like the idea of experimenting with the rules a little bit, but maybe not call it boxing. If it gets people interested and then watching then it's great, they just can't pretend it's "professional boxing" like the BKB tried.

[Rexob]

"Semi pro" I love that saying it makes me laugh for some reason?

[jonny]

Is this what Richie Davis is getting involved in?

I think it must be

[littlepug]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

[Rexob]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

Wonder what would have happened if they had done that with the UFC

[littlepug]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

Wonder what would have happened if they had done that with the UFC

probably wouldnt have been that much of a big deal seeing as UFC doesnt have the same depth of history as the noble art

[Wales]

Cricket - 20/20
Rugby -7s
Football - 5 a side or futsal


Didnt boxing start in a ring of spectators, ever wondered why the call the ring a ring? 15 rounds down to 12? Take away same day weigh ins? Wasnt there only HWs until 1900s? And didnt they always fight without gloves? How about skys introduction of prizefighter?

Every sport evolves. And most have spin offs. They may not be as popular, but theyre there. If we just stayed with tried and tested formulas then we'd all be writing on walls in caves!

It might be shite, or it might appeal to a demographic who dont like 12 round tactical fights but begin to watch after this.

[Sklar]

If boxing is not your full-time occupation but you receive money for doing it, I would argue that you're a semi-professional and that the term is not a misnomer like semi-pregnant would be. There are very few full-time professionals in boxing.

[littlepug]

saw a photo recently might of been on that bits and pieces thread of an octagon ring they were trying out in what looked like the early 1900s so trying new things in the sport is nothing new its just that boxing has never needed changing that much just the odd tweak to keep up with the times.

[Wales]

saw a photo recently might of been on that bits and pieces thread of an octagon ring they were trying out in what looked like the early 1900s so trying new things in the sport is nothing new its just that boxing has never needed changing that much just the odd tweak to keep up with the times.

One thing i dont understand is if theyre looking for knockouts why put the tournament in an octagon thats far harder to cut a fighter off in than a ring. They'd be better having a small square ring, nowhere to hide then.

Just to look and be clearly different i guess.

[Coco]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

I agree 100%
Being semi pro is like being semi pregnant

[Looking On]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

I agree 100%
Being semi pro is like being semi pregnant

That phrase does my head in.
Makes no sense at all.
Theres many sports that have acknowledge semi pro levels, are the comparable to semi pregnant too ?
Semi pro just means part time, nothing more nothing less.

[Sklar]

It does mean part-time, I agree. Semi-pro is an acknowledged descriptor of that though.

[littlepug]

part timer ? you try telling any pro with a job he's a part time boxer the sport pretty much consumes your life when your boxing.

[Sklar]

I'm. Looking at it dispassionately. There aren't many boxers who make a full-time living out of the sport.

[expe]

A- your either pro or amateur that's it, you wouldn't call ricky burns semi pro just cos he works in a sport shop. B- I think boxing as we know it is a tried and tested formula and doesn't need tampering with, if you don't like its present format then don't watch it and definitely don't start changing a system that has worked quite nicely for an age.

I agree 100%
Being semi pro is like being semi pregnant

That phrase does my head in.
Makes no sense at all.
Theres many sports that have acknowledge semi pro levels, are the comparable to semi pregnant too ?
Semi pro just means part time, nothing more nothing less.

How many professional boxers train part time though? They might fit their training around work, but they'll still be training more or less everyday, semi pro footballers usually don't train more than 2x2 hour sessions a week, along with a bit of work in the gym.

[littlepug]

Up at crack of dawn for roadwork then to your job then gym after work which probably involves a bit of traveling then home to bed, plus the constant dieting, ain't nothing part time in the pro game.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

part timer ? you try telling any pro with a job he's a part time boxer the sport pretty much consumes your life when your boxing.

You know what he is saying - the man isn't making his sole living out of boxing - because someone trains everyday at something, if they are just getting expenses or paid a token sum per match - like rugby union players before professionalism - then their status as 'professionals' is questioned.

That's it in a nutshell, cant start changing around the terminology around because it doesn't suit your viewpoint.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Up at crack of dawn for roadwork then to your job then gym after work which probably involves a bit of traveling then home to bed, plus the constant dieting, ain't nothing part time in the pro game.

Not if it isn't something that you make a full time living from.

Amateur and pro bodybuilders train the same and diet the same, one gets paid and one doesn't. Nothing complicated about it whatsoever.

[JC]

It's more muddy with boxing than other sports because being 'professional' has always meant having a pro license, rather than it being your sole source of income. It's why unlicensed is probably a better term than semi-pro.

As for the original topic, I'm not sure the prize money ticking down is going to produce they kind of exciting fights they're clearly after. I would have thought it will get pretty scrappy.

[littlepug]

Up at crack of dawn for roadwork then to your job then gym after work which probably involves a bit of traveling then home to bed, plus the constant dieting, ain't nothing part time in the pro game.

Not if it isn't something that you make a full time living from.

Amateur and pro bodybuilders train the same and diet the same, one gets paid and one doesn't. Nothing complicated about it whatsoever.

I can see your point, suppose I just think the term semi pro is somewhat misleading or even insulting to a pro boxer IMO

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Up at crack of dawn for roadwork then to your job then gym after work which probably involves a bit of traveling then home to bed, plus the constant dieting, ain't nothing part time in the pro game.

Not if it isn't something that you make a full time living from.

Amateur and pro bodybuilders train the same and diet the same, one gets paid and one doesn't. Nothing complicated about it whatsoever.

I can see your point, suppose I just think the term semi pro is somewhat misleading or even insulting to a pro boxer IMO

I can understand why you are getting annoyed about it though.

I think we can all agree that the higher standard of boxing and the skill rating is with the BBB of C licence holders.

The white collar blokes, semi pros and unlicensed sluggers may get paid, some might make a living but when all is said and done - most of them are actually boxers and partake in boxing.

I don't think anyone would compare a semi pro guy with a pro licence holder if that is any consolation but if we are comparing what a 'professional' is in regards sport then there is a definitive definition and there are boxers who do earn a full time living from it, they are in the minority but they do exist.

[littlepug]

Yeah suppose you know you've done well if you got no mortgagee and a big lump in the bank, the gulf in purses between the top boys and the lower level guys is massive.

[Sklar]

The amount of training boxers do is irrelevant in this context. Millions of people go for a run before work and go to the gym when they've finished work every day of the week, and maybe do a competitive 10k road race on a Sunday or play rugby on a Saturday or whatever. In most cases the term 'professional boxer' is more misleading to the man on the street than semi-pro is. Ask a Joe Blogger what he thinks an average pro boxer earns and I would bet a lot of money on him being at least 5000% out.