"White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
"White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
I know of a young lad (under 21) who was, in hindsight, badly advised when he was younger and fought about 4 "semi pro" (or whatever you call it) fights. He's now joined an AIBA accredited amateur gym but has been told he can't fight amateur, even if he joins as 0-0 in open class.
Does anyone know if this is a standard rule?
Do you think this is fair, considering numerous pros have quit pro ranks to go semi pro then gone back.
There is clearly a place, and market, for semi pro boxing. But how should it fit in with ABA and pros?
Does anyone know if this is a standard rule?
Do you think this is fair, considering numerous pros have quit pro ranks to go semi pro then gone back.
There is clearly a place, and market, for semi pro boxing. But how should it fit in with ABA and pros?
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Nightmare Roy
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 16940
- Joined: 18 May 2003, 17:29
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
I think once you have been paid to fight that's it and you can't fight amateur again.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Up until fairly recently (within last 10 years or so) you could have 4 or 5 pro fights and go back amateur. But I believe that's now changed. In same vein im sure there are lads who've been paid kickboxing who've then gone amateur? I also know of amateurs who've been paid and remain amateur...
Think the "semi pro boxing" tag is frowned upon though.
Think the "semi pro boxing" tag is frowned upon though.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
My mates just had a lad disqualified from the novices after he had won his bout due to having had some white collar fights,he can still fight amateur but should have disclosed this as prior experience
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mickey1975
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 23147
- Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Just put down "some combat experience ", should be fine.
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Looking On
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 927
- Joined: 12 Oct 2012, 13:50
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
He can definately still do amateurs, the coach has his information wrong.
A lad i trained had 30 unlicensed, he been boxing amatuer for a year now and picked up the area belt for a short while, he just had to declare what he had previously done, admittedly some people dont, but i think it would be a bit wrong to put somoene whos got experience in with first timers.
A lad i trained had 30 unlicensed, he been boxing amatuer for a year now and picked up the area belt for a short while, he just had to declare what he had previously done, admittedly some people dont, but i think it would be a bit wrong to put somoene whos got experience in with first timers.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Chair of North Wales amateur boxing said "if we let him in it'll open floodgates to all of them". Be good to know if there's precident been set, or what actual rule is. The chair says anyone who's been paid can't join amateurs. They were open admitting his "semi pro" record, and said they'll put him in open class from 0-0 in amateurs. Seems like one rule in one area another in another!Looking On wrote:He can definately still do amateurs, the coach has his information wrong.
A lad i trained had 30 unlicensed, he been boxing amatuer for a year now and picked up the area belt for a short while, he just had to declare what he had previously done, admittedly some people dont, but i think it would be a bit wrong to put somoene whos got experience in with first timers.
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Yes We Can
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 2087
- Joined: 29 Sep 2010, 17:16
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Don't see how that would be a bad thing personally. Safer enviroment and much more closely regulated, could even say growing the sport the right way.Wales wrote:Chair of North Wales amateur boxing said "if we let him in it'll open floodgates to all of them". Be good to know if there's precident been set, or what actual rule is. The chair says anyone who's been paid can't join amateurs. They were open admitting his "semi pro" record, and said they'll put him in open class from 0-0 in amateurs. Seems like one rule in one area another in another!Looking On wrote:He can definately still do amateurs, the coach has his information wrong.
A lad i trained had 30 unlicensed, he been boxing amatuer for a year now and picked up the area belt for a short while, he just had to declare what he had previously done, admittedly some people dont, but i think it would be a bit wrong to put somoene whos got experience in with first timers.
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leejonesjnr
- Middleweight
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: 31 Dec 2013, 18:32
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Seems like a great idea to me, keeps amateur clubs going, reduces the number of people who have no businesses calling themselves boxing coaches passing on terrible training etc etcYes We Can wrote:Don't see how that would be a bad thing personally. Safer enviroment and much more closely regulated, could even say growing the sport the right way.Wales wrote:Chair of North Wales amateur boxing said "if we let him in it'll open floodgates to all of them". Be good to know if there's precident been set, or what actual rule is. The chair says anyone who's been paid can't join amateurs. They were open admitting his "semi pro" record, and said they'll put him in open class from 0-0 in amateurs. Seems like one rule in one area another in another!Looking On wrote:He can definately still do amateurs, the coach has his information wrong.
A lad i trained had 30 unlicensed, he been boxing amatuer for a year now and picked up the area belt for a short while, he just had to declare what he had previously done, admittedly some people dont, but i think it would be a bit wrong to put somoene whos got experience in with first timers.
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reggaereggae
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 4723
- Joined: 21 Dec 2009, 17:01
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
I still don't know what 'semi-pro' actually means? Is that basically unlicensed?
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
reggaereggae wrote:I still don't know what 'semi-pro' actually means? Is that basically unlicensed?
Yeah thats the term they want to use. My cousin has has 14 pro fights he works a full time job and no financial help but trains every day as well as long runs and strength and conditioning. Imo thats a semi pro boxer. Not someone who fights on white collar shows selling tickets to friends and family that occasionally goes the gym. Also someone who isnt licensed or passed medically fit. Like fighters who appear on bbboc shows.
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reggaereggae
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 4723
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Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
So is your cousin a registered BBBOC fighter? IE a licensed pro?maley1984 wrote:reggaereggae wrote:I still don't know what 'semi-pro' actually means? Is that basically unlicensed?
Yeah thats the term they want to use. My cousin has has 14 pro fights he works a full time job and no financial help but trains every day as well as long runs and strength and conditioning. Imo thats a semi pro boxer. Not someone who fights on white collar shows selling tickets to friends and family that occasionally goes the gym. Also someone who isnt licensed or passed medically fit. Like fighters who appear on bbboc shows.
I'm still confused!
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
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leejonesjnr
- Middleweight
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- Joined: 31 Dec 2013, 18:32
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Yesreggaereggae wrote:I still don't know what 'semi-pro' actually means? Is that basically unlicensed?
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leejonesjnr
- Middleweight
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: 31 Dec 2013, 18:32
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
The reality is that the vast VAST majority of pro boxers are effectively 'semi pro' as the income it generates is not enough for most.littlepug wrote:Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
HOWEVER when people use the term semi pro they are referring to unlicensed boxing.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
reggaereggae wrote:So is your cousin a registered BBBOC fighter? IE a licensed pro?maley1984 wrote:reggaereggae wrote:I still don't know what 'semi-pro' actually means? Is that basically unlicensed?
Yeah thats the term they want to use. My cousin has has 14 pro fights he works a full time job and no financial help but trains every day as well as long runs and strength and conditioning. Imo thats a semi pro boxer. Not someone who fights on white collar shows selling tickets to friends and family that occasionally goes the gym. Also someone who isnt licensed or passed medically fit. Like fighters who appear on bbboc shows.
I'm still confused!![]()
well his license has just run out but yeah he was under the bbboc his a licensed pro. but I wudnt class him a full time professional due to his work commitments. id class the likes smiths bjs guys who have sponsorship big promotional deals and r in the gym and not working a full time job then hitting the gym and roads after a long shift. if u get where im coming from.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Although it's not actually "unlicensed". Just not licensed by BBBOC a. For example you have the BBU who licence many of these shows (plus various other organisations).leejonesjnr wrote:The reality is that the vast VAST majority of pro boxers are effectively 'semi pro' as the income it generates is not enough for most.littlepug wrote:Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
HOWEVER when people use the term semi pro they are referring to unlicensed boxing.
for me you have
Amateur Boxing (AIBA accredited)
Proffesional Boxing (BBBOC accredited)
Semi-pro - shows inbetween the two where fighters get couple hundread quid
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reggaereggae
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 4723
- Joined: 21 Dec 2009, 17:01
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Thanks for that. It gets complex...,Wales wrote:Although it's not actually "unlicensed". Just not licensed by BBBOC a. For example you have the BBU who licence many of these shows (plus various other organisations).leejonesjnr wrote:The reality is that the vast VAST majority of pro boxers are effectively 'semi pro' as the income it generates is not enough for most.littlepug wrote:Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
HOWEVER when people use the term semi pro they are referring to unlicensed boxing.
for me you have
Amateur Boxing (AIBA accredited)
Proffesional Boxing (BBBOC accredited)
Semi-pro - shows inbetween the two where fighters get couple hundread quid
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Then you got those charity fights every fornicator seems to be doing, where they train for 8 weeks then do 3 x 2min rounds with headguards/vest etc.Wales wrote:Although it's not actually "unlicensed". Just not licensed by BBBOC a. For example you have the BBU who licence many of these shows (plus various other organisations).leejonesjnr wrote:The reality is that the vast VAST majority of pro boxers are effectively 'semi pro' as the income it generates is not enough for most.littlepug wrote:Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
HOWEVER when people use the term semi pro they are referring to unlicensed boxing.
for me you have
Amateur Boxing (AIBA accredited)
Proffesional Boxing (BBBOC accredited)
Semi-pro - shows inbetween the two where fighters get couple hundread quid
I've got shit loads of 'boxers' on my facebook now
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Semi-pregnant.
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mickey1975
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 23147
- Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Over the next four weeks I'm at an unlicensed featuring various standards, one a decent ex pro a while ago, a Muay Thai show with a few unlicensed boxers(ticket sellers) on in boxing matches, a heavyweight championship of the world, an amateur show and a charity show. All except one in my home town.
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Sklar wrote:Semi-pregnant.
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leejonesjnr
- Middleweight
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: 31 Dec 2013, 18:32
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
'Licensed' by BBU, EBF, EBA, SPBF etc etc are all what is known as unlicensed boxing as I am sure you know.Wales wrote:Although it's not actually "unlicensed". Just not licensed by BBBOC a. For example you have the BBU who licence many of these shows (plus various other organisations).leejonesjnr wrote:The reality is that the vast VAST majority of pro boxers are effectively 'semi pro' as the income it generates is not enough for most.littlepug wrote:Anyone who holds a BBBC licence is a professional boxer, to call them semi pro because they also hold down a full time job is insulting, would you call Ricky burns semi pro just because he also works in a sports shop ?
HOWEVER when people use the term semi pro they are referring to unlicensed boxing.
for me you have
Amateur Boxing (AIBA accredited)
Proffesional Boxing (BBBOC accredited)
Semi-pro - shows inbetween the two where fighters get couple hundread quid
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
No such thing as semi pro just amateur and pro anyone who thinks unlicensed is semi pro doesnt have the brain power to know the difference between the 3. Some unlicensed fighters have never fought amateur so how can they be semi pro 
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mickey1975
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 23147
- Joined: 02 Mar 2009, 12:54
Re: "White collar" / "semi pro" back to amateur?
Most unlicensed have never fought amateur so how can they be amateur? Some pros haven't, either.thechump wrote:No such thing as semi pro just amateur and pro anyone who thinks unlicensed is semi pro doesnt have the brain power to know the difference between the 3. Some unlicensed fighters have never fought amateur so how can they be semi pro