How hard is life for your average pro boxer?

[Controversial]

Apologies if this has been done before but I couldn't find an old thread. There's been a lot of talk recently after the tragic death of Scott Westgarth about the dangers of the sport and how little money the average pro makes.

So what's life really like for any of you pros on here (or ex-pros)? How hard is it to get fights, make weight, train regularly, fit boxing around a job/family, keep a roof over your head etc....? I thought it be interesting to hear peoples experiences.

[ste1983]

spoke to a mate of a current Midlands area champion at the game Saturday who told me his pal has said its really not worth it with the time off work he has to have off for training he ends up worse off financially.

I remember my mate a few years ago (who too got to Area title level) telling me the same.

[maley1984]

spoke to a mate of a current Midlands area champion at the game Saturday who told me his pal has said its really not worth it with the time off work he has to have off for training he ends up worse off financially.

I remember my mate a few years ago (who too got to Area title level) telling me the same.

Our kid worked full time when he was fighting. He used holiday and unpaid leave to train when he was fighting for titles and the money wasn't great. ( he did 3 camps for one fight over 6 weeks each time and fight never happend. He wud do his rounds (postman) home. Do his road work then hit the gym when in camp. He had help with ticket sales thru me and his bro. Take out managers and trainers fees then medical He didn't make alot.

[REEVE]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

[Oiky]

Simply put its very very tough and demanding

[Terminator666]

I guess it’s ok for the ones who don’t have to work a regular job as well - ideally a fighter needs to solely concentrate on the boxing

[Controversial]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

Blimey. It makes you wonder how so many manage and how much better someone would be if they had someone backing them so they could box full time. If you don’t mind me asking what are you left with roughly after expenses etc.... per fight?

[REEVE]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

Blimey. It makes you wonder how so many manage and how much better someone would be if they had someone backing them so they could box full time. If you don’t mind me asking what are you left with roughly after expenses etc.... per fight?

Just for the love basically mate that’s why we do it I think mainly

It’s £1000 + expenses for most small hall shows take off 25% fees etc and your juice - it’s not a great deal tbh mate

[tobyh5]

Brutal life and putting ones life on the line for little reward is tough, got to have a certain mentality and mental toughness plus fighters heart. Such a shame that our sport, the sweet science, is so poorly rewarded with only the top quarter of a percent actually being able to afford any sort of decent riches from it.

[JamieM]

The problem is no matter what a regular fighter achieves they are up against it. The promoters and managers are against them also. Little things that happen putting hotels hours away from venue, dodgy changing rooms, rubbish notice, weight disadvantages, the list is endless so these guys can't prepare to fight to best of their ability against the so called stars. Obviously you bring in work and other commitments and lack of sponsorship and full time training.

I really hate pro boxing. The only word I can use for it is cheating. People involved will all know what I mean by that but it's full of snakes who would stab there own family for a pound. Sooner my family are out the better .

[Controversial]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

Blimey. It makes you wonder how so many manage and how much better someone would be if they had someone backing them so they could box full time. If you don’t mind me asking what are you left with roughly after expenses etc.... per fight?

Just for the love basically mate that’s why we do it I think mainly

It’s £1000 + expenses for most small hall shows take off 25% fees etc and your juice - it’s not a great deal tbh mate

Good luck to you mate, most fans can only dream of it. The money isn’t great is it!!

[littlepug]

The problem is no matter what a regular fighter achieves they are up against it. The promoters and managers are against them also. Little things that happen putting hotels hours away from venue, dodgy changing rooms, rubbish notice, weight disadvantages, the list is endless so these guys can't prepare to fight to best of their ability against the so called stars. Obviously you bring in work and other commitments and lack of sponsorship and full time training.

I really hate pro boxing. The only word I can use for it is cheating. People involved will all know what I mean by that but it's full of snakes who would stab there own family for a pound. Sooner my family are out the better .

Bang on, can't even trust the people who are supposed to be looking after you, don't think I was ever told the truth about anything, weights, money and opponents records (pre internet when it was harder to find out) were all lied about which just gave you extra stress on top of everything else, I'm glad of the experience but the fun really does stop when you go pro

[bbjc]

Sad to read really. Makes you really appreciate the effort everyone involved puts in tbh. Its about time they introduced some kind of tax on the big earners especially the really big earners to help fund the lower level guys. Your mayweather's/Joshua's etc should be made to give something back when their fights get to a certain financial level imo. Would be great for the sport. Shocking that nothings really in place to protect or even really help the fighters at the lower level. Too dangerous a game for that.

[Coco]

I loved being a pro though, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

[TheGingerBomber]

My mate has found it extremely tough to get fights and sponsorship, there was an expectation when he turned pro that the big bucks would come. Hes been pro 4 years I believe, and hasn't even hit double figures for fights yet, it's shocking, I think that all prospects should be out monthly at such a young age, but with no big backers he was left to fight for pretty much nothing against nobodies that learnt him nothing.

He's obviously not blameless, he's had a tough life in a way, he's not hard done by but he's had some troubles, but given his junior amateur pedigree, he should have been fighting for the English title at least by now.

He's got his break now though, at least I hope, in the form of a new team behind his training, lads with the right connections that see what my pal has, which is bags of heart and skill.

The Westgarth thing and then Ben Davies coming out to say he's retiring is very much an eye opener, there's been a lot of horrible injuries of late, you wouldn't wish it on any fighter you don't like, it's soul destroying.

[TheGingerBomber]

Sad to read really. Makes you really appreciate the effort everyone involved puts in tbh. Its about time they introduced some kind of tax on the big earners especially the really big earners to help fund the lower level guys. Your mayweather's/Joshua's etc should be made to give something back when their fights get to a certain financial level imo. Would be great for the sport. Shocking that nothings really in place to protect or even really help the fighters at the lower level. Too dangerous a game for that.

Unfortunately I can't ever see that happening, fighters themselves must group together in an effort to fund such a contingency plan for fighters and their families.

I've also felt that there should be a system in place where you can opt to take a percentage of your purse and put it in a fund for whatever future purpose, to stop fighters going bankrupt in later life. I know it's basic, and common sense should prevail when these fellas at the top are making millions, but you see how Floyd was apparently haemorrhaging money, remember these guys get their equilibrium's shook on the daily.

[jamamb]

whose your mate ginger

[mickey1975]

My mate has found it extremely tough to get fights and sponsorship, there was an expectation when he turned pro that the big bucks would come. Hes been pro 4 years I believe, and hasn't even hit double figures for fights yet, it's shocking, I think that all prospects should be out monthly at such a young age, but with no big backers he was left to fight for pretty much nothing against nobodies that learnt him nothing.

He's obviously not blameless, he's had a tough life in a way, he's not hard done by but he's had some troubles, but given his junior amateur pedigree, he should have been fighting for the English title at least by now.

He's got his break now though, at least I hope, in the form of a new team behind his training, lads with the right connections that see what my pal has, which is bags of heart and skill.

The Westgarth thing and then Ben Davies coming out to say he's retiring is very much an eye opener, there's been a lot of horrible injuries of late, you wouldn't wish it on any fighter you don't like, it's soul destroying.

Is he a bit naive? Hardly anyone, barring Olympic medalists, "expect" big money to follow quickly. And most know if they're popular before they turn over. My mate has about six sponsors and sells hundreds of tickets and he's unlicensed! A few pro mates can't do any.

[TheGingerBomber]

My mate has found it extremely tough to get fights and sponsorship, there was an expectation when he turned pro that the big bucks would come. Hes been pro 4 years I believe, and hasn't even hit double figures for fights yet, it's shocking, I think that all prospects should be out monthly at such a young age, but with no big backers he was left to fight for pretty much nothing against nobodies that learnt him nothing.

He's obviously not blameless, he's had a tough life in a way, he's not hard done by but he's had some troubles, but given his junior amateur pedigree, he should have been fighting for the English title at least by now.

He's got his break now though, at least I hope, in the form of a new team behind his training, lads with the right connections that see what my pal has, which is bags of heart and skill.

The Westgarth thing and then Ben Davies coming out to say he's retiring is very much an eye opener, there's been a lot of horrible injuries of late, you wouldn't wish it on any fighter you don't like, it's soul destroying.

Is he a bit naive? Hardly anyone, barring Olympic medalists, "expect" big money to follow quickly. And most know if they're popular before they turn over. My mate has about six sponsors and sells hundreds of tickets and he's unlicensed! A few pro mates can't do any.

He was only 19 when he turned over, he may have been naive. It was the people around him that know him, who were expecting big money after he'd reached a decent level. 4 years down the line you'd expect to be comfortable I feel, given the expectations behind his amateur career.

Only now does he look slightly settled, but only because of his new team. He will now produce the graft needed to become what he set out to be.

[afcpaul]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

I have nothing but respect for you mate.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

To be fair, Gary you only fought eight times last year and three so far this. Most of them four and six rounders against novice pros. Fair play to you but a grand for a four rounder seems like a decent return to me.

[rab]

To be fair, Gary you only fought eight times last year and three so far this. Most of them four and six rounders against novice pros. Fair play to you but a grand for a four rounder seems like a decent return to me.

pretty sure if you worked out the hours spent in the gym and road work it wouldn't even be close to national minimum wage per fight.

[REEVE]

To be fair, Gary you only fought eight times last year and three so far this. Most of them four and six rounders against novice pros. Fair play to you but a grand for a four rounder seems like a decent return to me.

Not really mate u get left with less then a grand it sounds good but even if you fight 12 x in a year it’s only £12k .... only £250 a week wayyy below the minimum wage, like a say I’m not saying it’s bad money just that it can be long hard days with not much time for anything other then work/boxing - The question was “what is life like for the average pro” and imo 99.9% will say it’s hard graft for very little reward

[REEVE]

VERY (at times)

I work 2 jobs, 1 full time and two nights part time

two weeks ago I finished work on Friday night 5.00pm went to bed got up 5.00am drove to London fought turned round and drove back got in 12 at night then was back at work the following day, I did the same last week but a closer drive.

I finish work 5pm go home prep my food for the next day then go to train 6.30-8.00(ish) get home read the paper and back to bed to do the same again the following day it can be later with sparring etc. any days I cant train at night get up early and run and do my floor work before going to work - it can be really taxing especially for my family and girlfriend. there's not much time for anything except boxing. you have to have any understanding manager at work and family cos it can cause strain at times.

but I wouldn't change it I love what I do and its been like this since I was a kid, its not for everyone though and if anyone young was getting involved id tell them to do it but only if they can give 100% cos 99.9 isn't enough.

I have nothing but respect for you mate.

Thanks mate appreciate it

[rab]

To be fair, Gary you only fought eight times last year and three so far this. Most of them four and six rounders against novice pros. Fair play to you but a grand for a four rounder seems like a decent return to me.

Not really mate u get left with less then a grand it sounds good but even if you fight 12 x in a year it’s only £12k .... only £250 a week wayyy below the minimum wage, like a say I’m not saying it’s bad money just that it can be long hard days with not much time for anything other then work/boxing - The question was “what is life like for the average pro” and imo 99.9% will say it’s hard graft for very little reward

i think too many people forget the game wouldn't exist if it wasn't for people willing to put it all on the line for not a lot of financial reward. i think most folk that have seen the work that goes into getting ready for even a small hall show have the utmost respect for those that do it.