BoxRec

dewipowell wrote:Brilliant work by Andrew Wake, mag worthy.

x2

To be fair . Like Mr bessey,s shows. Everytime I fought , there was doctors & ambulances. Albeit st johns ones. Still any ambulance gets you where you need to go eh! There is some shite but most of the best promoters on the unlicensed scene have all the medics you need.

Would Danny Williams or Michael Gomez get a fight?

Very interesting article.
I knew there was a fair bit of unlicensed boxing going on in the UK, but I was surprised that it had become this "organized".

Does anyone know when the so called unlicensed circuit started?
My understanding is that it is, to a large degree, rooted in the old boxing booths that were common until the 1970s.

Let's not forget that FW got his start in boxing through the unlicensed circuit.
The BBBC actually asked him to apply for a license when he got to "big".

The unlicensed circuit exists as promoters can turn a decent profit through not having to pay Board levies and adhere to Board mandates. Whether this levies and mandates constitute Board "failings" depends very much on what they are for. Ensuring an ambulance is present is just the tip of the iceberg. What about having twp doctors in case both fighters require urgent attention? Having an anaesthetist there? Mandating that the local hospital has a neurological department? Forcing all trainers and seconds to take a comprehensive course - which includes basic first aid, treating injuries and cuts - before they get their license? An admirably stringent medical procedure that stopped Danny Williams - who had admitted he was shot - fighting in Britain and one unlicensed star Michael Gomez would never pass. Just as the unlicensed circuit may have its qualities, it is not simply a cool rebel alliance defying the Board's authoritarian regime. It is a profit-making endeavour. By the same token, the Board aren't just a bunch of stuffed shirts holding boxing back. They may have their failings but it is their achievements (see above) that most influence fighters and promoters to try the unlicensed circuit. For a low or mid-level fighter (and promoter) unlicensed boxing has less hurdles to jump and a lower cost base, making it more lucrative and the fights are sometimes more competitive and hard-fought. But safer and better organised? No. Making the sport more attractive for TV companies and sponsors - both vital in safeguarding the sport's future? No.

Wake up call wrote:I went into this project looking for a balanced view and I think that shows. However, I do feel that a couple of points are being missed.

1) The term unlicensed simply means "non-BBBofC" and is in reality an incorrect term. Would you call PDC darts "unlicensed" as they are a break away from the BDO?

2) The article does not support an alternative scene. Far from it. I'm BBBofC through and through but I am able to look at both sides of the coin.

3) However, if the board was perfect there would be no need for another scene.

If the Board sanctioned everybody and did not charge there would be no need for another scene.

mimmy123 wrote:Would Danny Williams or Michael Gomez get a fight?

Gomez has alredy boxed on 3 shows since retiring and had a couple of other exhibitions. He has deliberately fought 'non-punchers' and with 4 kids and not exactly loads of career options he finds it a fairly easy way of earning £1000. Also more important to him, is that at least in the few weeks before it stops him going out as much partying!

I agree it a shame but boxing isnt like football where people of a high standard earn enought to live comfortabley when they retire, but its obvious that when they letting him box at 11 stone that they arent particularly bothered about what sort of shape he is in.

The existence of these shows in is not because the "unlicensed boxing circuit" is doing something well its because licensed boxing is doing something wrong. When people are more excited to go to watch one of their mates fight and a few other lower level fights there is something wrong with boxing throughout Britain.

Think of it like this. Would you pay premier league prices to watch your mate play sunday league football. Or would you rather pay the same to watch two premier league sides play each other?

This thread is making up my mind on how I see unliceneced boxing. Its a shame the ones who promote this 'sport' are not giving a very good account for it. Would I pay to see someone I liked to watch pro, such as Danny Williams fight in an unlicened bout against a lad who is maybe 20 years old and cant hit shit, no I think my answer would be. Would I enjoy watching someone such as Danny Williams kick the shit out of a kid who is only 20 years old and has had no experiance or cannot get a licence from the BBBoC because maybe hes blind, or has some other medical condition, again possibly no! Would I want to see some bouncer kick the shit out of Danny Williams the guy who beat Mike Tyson, again possibly no.

Well I think my minds made up, thanks but no thanks!

billy bessey wrote:I have 2 paramedics with ambulance in attendance at my shows the boxers also get a medical on fight night(I have had boxers turned down to fight on them) the standards vary massively on fights but as long as they are well matched it doesn't matter. You talk about mismatches but all the shows I have been to(excluding some London shows) there are far worse mismatches in the pros people come to win and not just collect there pay packet. Any other questions just fire away lads???

That is a postive but dbflex raises a good point about licenses preventing fighters carrying on when it's not in their health interests. There are no such barriers without any license in place
Are your fighters insured for life changing injuries? What if some lad gets seriously injured and can't work for the rest of his life
Do your refs have to adhere to certain standards otherwise they can't ref.
For instance the ref of Macarannelli vs Frenkel. Merone I think his name was never got any work over here again would that happen on the unlicensed circuit?
Cheers for answering

I would guess at this point that there is legislation that covers these shows being put on. When I say 'theres a doctor there' there is of course more than one person as part of that setup, i would have thought everyone realised I meant more than the local GP turning up for a free ringside seat. If venues and promotors of any event did not comply with legislation they'd suffer for it, wouldn't they.

Khaosai-Galaxy wrote:

Wake up call wrote:Hi all

Spoke to both Robert Smith from old BBBofC and Spencer Brown of the unlicensed body the EBF.

http://www.secondsout.com/news/main-new ... its-future

Any thoughts?

I thought it was an excellent article, congrats.
Regarding the issue,

Spencer Brown:

We’re looking to get Chris Bacon a fight with Francois Botha in a big marquee in Manchester and we’re hoping to get Mark Potter a fight with Danny Williams with Michael Gomez will be on the undercard, plus a few other names that might shock people.”

Well, good luck with that Spencer..... And maybe Mike Tyson fighting Father Christmas?


Spencer Brown, i wish to address you personally, if i may?

Dont "promote" events that will never happen, its a waste of time.

It could happen but it sounds awful. Like the boxing equivalent one of those wrestling events where old men with crumbling knees who used to be good 20 years ago fight it out for 50 quid.

Final round wrote:

billy bessey wrote:I have 2 paramedics with ambulance in attendance at my shows the boxers also get a medical on fight night(I have had boxers turned down to fight on them) the standards vary massively on fights but as long as they are well matched it doesn't matter. You talk about mismatches but all the shows I have been to(excluding some London shows) there are far worse mismatches in the pros people come to win and not just collect there pay packet. Any other questions just fire away lads???

That is a postive but dbflex raises a good point about licenses preventing fighters carrying on when it's not in their health interests. There are no such barriers without any license in place
Are your fighters insured for life changing injuries? What if some lad gets seriously injured and can't work for the rest of his life
Do your refs have to adhere to certain standards otherwise they can't ref.
For instance the ref of Macarannelli vs Frenkel. Merone I think his name was never got any work over here again would that happen on the unlicensed circuit?
Cheers for answering

The ref's I have seen have been pro's or ex pro's, and know the game. There are more standing 8's that you would believe.

You can go the local, nip to town with your mates, watch some boxing and have a beer on the cheap at these shows. Good night all around.

Theres nothing stopping the 'proper' promoters putting on shows at the Tavern (ok maybe thats a bit small), or the Brentwood centre, or Goresbrook... they've all done it before but nothing too recently... I'll always support my mate when he fights but I'll always go to the local shows when they are on... McDermott vs Fury packed out the Brentwood centre, I'm sure Lynes' next fight on a good card could fill up Goresbrook... im not saying that these shows directly compete for the same audience as 'proper' boxing but there is a massive overlap