WSB - World Series of Boxing

[Dennis]

what other usa boxers are going with the wsb. i now know of brandt and shabbazz and for a time it looked like kisner might have been a name to. but how many are there know

As far as I know that is it. Others have received offers, but have decided to either decline or wait and see how things develop over the next 6-12 months.

[JMac]

Mel, donnellon was referring to IABA which is the Irish amateur boxing association that seems to have put a recent ban on pro am cards. AIBA is not involved in this. They're all about the upcoming pro league WSB.

Thanks, Jim - the older I get, the more confused I get.

Have you seen the newly published technical and competition rules for the WSB? I just shuddered.

I've seen them. What makes you shuddered? I'm just currious if it will take off as planned.

[boxmel]

I guess I just have a total amateur phobia. D 8 oz. gloves; includes age 35 when we don't; 24-30 hour prior weigh-ins; 5-3 minute and 7-3 minute rounds; 10 point must. AND they get to compete for an Olympic spot - just doesn't seem fair to our guys who are going through the usual amateur process.

World Series of Boxing Technical and Competition Rules
The AIBA Executive Committee approved the following key points of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) Technical and Competition Rules:

• The competition will be open to AIBA registered boxers between the ages of 18 and 35.
• There will be five weight categories: Bantam (54kg), Light (61kg), Middle (73kg), Light heavy (85kg) and Heavy (+91kg).
• The weigh-in will take place 24-30 hours before the start of the first bout.
• There will be 5 rounds of 3 minutes in the team competition and 7 rounds of 3 minutes in the Individual Championships.
• Decisions will be based on points, Technical Knock-Outs, Knock-Outs and disqualifications - there will be no draws.
• Open scoring based on the 10-point "Must System" (10-9, 10-8, 10-7) using a manual judging system with computerised display and inputs. Scores will be publicly displayed at the end of each round and at the conclusion of the bout.
• There will be 3 judges and 1 referee.
• Boxing gloves will be 8 ounce for bantamweight and lightweight and 10 ounce for all other weights. New boxing gloves are being developed specifically for the WSB.

[JMac]

We should probably start a different thread or use the one already about the WSB .....
but the competition rules look OK to me because it will be professional boxing after all not amateur. How old was Foreman when he won a heavyweight title? The 8 oz gloves are just for the two lower weight classes. Since they will be using AIBA R/J's who will get some training for the pro part, I'm curious if the style of boxing will change. I hate what Olympic amateur boxing has become so if this gets the guys to boxing like they did back in the pre electronic scoring days, I'm all for it. I think the boxers in the WSB will have a hard time readjusting back to the electronic scoring if they change their styles in the WSB to a more pro style. There are a lot of questions how it all shakes out. How many boxers from the WSB will end up on their respctive countries Olympic teams? Not too many big name US boxers from the amateurs seem interested. One of the alphabet pro groups, I think WBC said they will start something similar to take on AIBA. Like I said, it will be interesting to see how it all works out.

[boxmel]

I'm curious if the style of boxing will change. I hate what Olympic amateur boxing has become so if this gets the guys to boxing like they did back in the pre electronic scoring days, I'm all for it.

Then ALL amateur boxing should focus on "back in the day" technique not just the WSB.

I think the boxers in the WSB will have a hard time readjusting back to the electronic scoring if they change their styles in the WSB to a more pro style.

See my above statement. I think it's going to produce a division that will destroy amateur boxing in the US.

Not too many big name US boxers from the amateurs seem interested.

I also understand that it's a franchise organization, i.e., there has to be a franchise somewhere in the U.S. for the boxers who are interested to participate in.

One of the alphabet pro groups, I think WBC said they will start something similar to take on AIBA.

My understanding is that Jose Suliman gave Wu the money to start the WSB. That could, of course, be incorrect information.

When I get a chance, I'll move the WSB dialog to the WSB thread - that makes sense.

[Dennis]

Mel - US boxers could be selected by any North American franchise. That could be a franchise in Canada or Mexico.

[T Duquette]

what are thet gonna pay these guys? any word?

[JMac]

what are thet gonna pay these guys? any word?

Not sure but I think it will be decent. Check out the webpage for it:

http://www.worldseriesboxing.com/home.aspx

[rocabye]

how do they pick them teams sound like a good idea

[COACH J]

is it true that Miguel Cartagena signed up for this?

[locoxelbox]

Isn´t Miguel Cartagena 48 kg? The lowest weight class of the WSB is 54 kg.

[Dennis]

Another example of a boxer who will have to compete against heavier guys in the WSB if he wants to join.

[COACH J]

I was just on the WSB website and seen that Raushee warren has signed with them.

[Dennis]

Javonta Charles and Anthony Campbell also signed. I believe that brings the number of signed USA boxers up to 7.

[fighterdad]

Is there any talk about including a women's division

[hbomb2]

I just hope that all of these guys realize that every FIGHT will be a tough FIGHT. Even as a professional boxer you have a lot of easy bouts until you are crowned champion and then it is only once or twice a year. These guys will be fighting every other week. I hope that it is good for our guys. What are the consequences should they become injured and unable to fight?

[hbomb2]

To Mel:
I guess we do not have to the term box anymore as we are mixed and they will be fighting. LOL

[Dennis]

I just hope that all of these guys realize that every FIGHT will be a tough FIGHT. Even as a professional boxer you have a lot of easy bouts until you are crowned champion and then it is only once or twice a year. These guys will be fighting every other week. I hope that it is good for our guys. What are the consequences should they become injured and unable to fight?

Very true. As far as injuries, I guess it will depend on the extent of the injury. If it is permanent, they will be done. If it is for a season or less, then they will probably go on an injured reserve list and the franchise will have to obtain another boxer to replace him or use one of their other boxers, assuming they have more than 10 on their team. The WSB is going to have a reserve pool of boxers that the franchise can select from in order to fill vacancies caused by injuries and the like.

[locoxelbox]

Every team must have a minimum of 10 boxers - they may have up to 20 boxers. The competition is only in five weights so the teams have at least two boxers in every weight. So one boxer probably won´t fight all the bouts. They will need the reserves because as you say - there will be tough fights. And as Dennis said there will be a reserve pool the teams can use if there are further injuries.

[hbomb2]

My questions was pertaining to the interest of the boxer rather than the organization. I understand that their will always be more fish in the sea. When and if a boxer on a team gets injured, will he continue to ge paid? The boxing schedule is weekly so teams with 10 boxers = the 5 weight classes twice = boxing every other week. Is there a team in the USA? Is there acquisition in having a team in the USA? If so why is it not publicized?

[Dennis]

The franchises in North America, including the USA, have not been sold yet.

[Jamel]

My questions was pertaining to the interest of the boxer rather than the organization. I understand that their will always be more fish in the sea. When and if a boxer on a team gets injured, will he continue to ge paid? The boxing schedule is weekly so teams with 10 boxers = the 5 weight classes twice = boxing every other week. Is there a team in the USA? Is there acquisition in having a team in the USA? If so why is it not publicized?

Two-time Olympian Rau'shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) headlines the list of U.S. athletes joining the World Series of Boxing. The bantamweight is joined by Siju Shabazz (Las Cruces, N.M.), Lamar Fenner (Chicago, Ill.), Robert Brant (Oakdale, Minn.), Adrian Martinez (Milwaukee, Wis.), Javonta Charles (Memphis, Tenn.), Anthony Campbell (Covington, Tenn.), Russell Lamour (Portland, Maine), Anthony Mack (Plano, Texas), and Javier Torres (Commerce, Calif.) Additional boxers from the United States are expected to join the World Series of Boxing ranks over the next two months

[hbomb2]

I do not think that answered the question. USA Boxing posted that on the website to persuade thousands of amateur boxers to join the WSB, which bring about more questions for me. What happens to the boxer that joins the WSB but is not drafted? There are a lot of questions that are not being asked or answered on the aiba.org website. I hate the fact that this shows that USA Boxing can not sustain its own program on an elite level. That is just my perspective.

[locoxelbox]

For a boxer to sign for the WSB but not get drafted means absolutely nothing. Unless you get lucky and get a reserve spot when someone is injured of course. Heck, I signed as a coach. Hope someone drafts me . AIBA is putting all on the line to get two-three US cities as franchise teams as there is little hope other american countries, except Canada and maybe Mexico, can host a team.
The boxer who gets chosen by a team still has to agree over the financial conditions and other stuff. It´s like if Golden Boy Promotions shows interest in a pro boxer...first show me the money .
The WSB boxers will be under a contract from the team so I guess they´ll continue to get paid even though someone gets injured. Unless that boxer doesn´t read his contract very well before he signs :( .

[NYboxing]

From a USA Boxing press release:

Two-time Olympian Rau'shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) headlines the list of U.S. athletes joining the World Series of Boxing. The bantamweight is joined by Siju Shabazz (Las Cruces, N.M.), Lamar Fenner (Chicago, Ill.), Robert Brant (Oakdale, Minn.), Adrian Martinez (Milwaukee, Wis.), Javonta Charles (Memphis, Tenn.), Anthony Campbell (Covington, Tenn.), Russell Lamour (Portland, Maine), Anthony Mack (Plano, Texas), and Javier Torres (Commerce, Calif.) Additional boxers from the United States are expected to join the World Series of Boxing ranks over the next two months