Working within boxing

[sammy95]

Hard to respond to all of you, but just another quick thank you for the interest you have taken with this, it means a lot.

A few more details to help answer a few questions.

My placement has to be between 11 and 13 months long, which I know will put off a lot of small companies and individuals, as well as the average pay for someone in my position of around 14-18k for the year (unless I go to London where it is nearer 20-25).
My degree is a financially based business course, so I am looking for / need a financial or operation based placement to fit in with what I need.
I am oddly fascinated with the business side of Boxing, its just how my mind works I guess. The first thing I look for when a card is announced is who the ticket sellers will be, crowd estimates, who broadcasters will focus on, and where the fights will lead the fighters in the future and what path I think the promoter/manager is looking to go down.

Once again, thank you for all you opinions, advice and names of people / organisations that I should contact. It is refreshing to gain valuable advice from people that actually know the sport, compared to listening to perhaps blinded advice from family and friends that do not follow boxing in the slightest.

If my ambition does get postponed until after I graduate, I will of course be taking several of your pieces of advice and getting to as many events as possible, which is virtually impossible with my student budget hahaha.

[reggaereggae]

Hard to respond to all of you, but just another quick thank you for the interest you have taken with this, it means a lot.

A few more details to help answer a few questions.

My placement has to be between 11 and 13 months long, which I know will put off a lot of small companies and individuals, as well as the average pay for someone in my position of around 14-18k for the year (unless I go to London where it is nearer 20-25).
My degree is a financially based business course, so I am looking for / need a financial or operation based placement to fit in with what I need.
I am oddly fascinated with the business side of Boxing, its just how my mind works I guess. The first thing I look for when a card is announced is who the ticket sellers will be, crowd estimates, who broadcasters will focus on, and where the fights will lead the fighters in the future and what path I think the promoter/manager is looking to go down.

Once again, thank you for all you opinions, advice and names of people / organisations that I should contact. It is refreshing to gain valuable advice from people that actually know the sport, compared to listening to perhaps blinded advice from family and friends that do not follow boxing in the slightest.

If my ambition does get postponed until after I graduate, I will of course be taking several of your pieces of advice and getting to as many events as possible, which is virtually impossible with my student budget hahaha.

Good luck with everything. I think a career in boxing is largely a poorly paid and thankless existence however. There are a few big promoters who have done great. But that's it.

I'm reminded of Boxing news's last 2 editors, Claude Abrams and Tris Dixon. To boxing fans they seemed to have perfect jobs. Working on their passion. Good seats at big fights. But both, in their last editors notes, sounded exhausted by the boxing business. Long hours, pressure and not great pay I imagine.

I would suggest get involved in a part time or amateur position (trainer / judge / boxer etc). Maybe write a few freelance articles for BN or a local paper.

Also, in my experience the happiest and most fulfilled people in boxing stayed away from the pro game. Mostly unpaid positions. I'm talking about amateur coaches, gym owners, those writing the odd article.

Money drains the love and passion from boxing; and quickly.

One guy I used to know well and an important boxing figure said that every time he spoke to pros about boxing; when it came to the good times.... They reminisced about when they were amateurs. The amateur trips abroad, being part of a team and a club.

I would suggest start training at an amateur club. Maybe have a fight.