How does one become a promoter?
How much would one need to say organise a four fight card at a small venue?
What about attracting a big name?
Malcolm
Becoming a promoter
Hello Malcolm.
I can't really answer this question, however I'll make a stab and put in some vague suggestions.
Firstly, start off very small. You mention about attracting a big name, you can't think about that as a starting point. Look at the backing the SRL promotions has got, but he's starting off the correct way. He's got no world champions yet but has made a name of Mesi and continues to well for Verno Phillips and Bernard Dunne.
You'll need to look around the gyms to see local fighters with an exciting style. You need to make sure that people will come to the venues, people will initially come to support their family, eventually (if the people enjoyed the show) non relations will show their support.
If I was you I'd get in contact with Amateur coaches, for their show they have to deal with getting fighters to come, hiring out a hole. So essentially for that one night they are essentially promoters.
But don't think big. Be prepared to offer Novices trials, because Amateurs don't always make the best pros.
I can't really answer this question, however I'll make a stab and put in some vague suggestions.
Firstly, start off very small. You mention about attracting a big name, you can't think about that as a starting point. Look at the backing the SRL promotions has got, but he's starting off the correct way. He's got no world champions yet but has made a name of Mesi and continues to well for Verno Phillips and Bernard Dunne.
You'll need to look around the gyms to see local fighters with an exciting style. You need to make sure that people will come to the venues, people will initially come to support their family, eventually (if the people enjoyed the show) non relations will show their support.
If I was you I'd get in contact with Amateur coaches, for their show they have to deal with getting fighters to come, hiring out a hole. So essentially for that one night they are essentially promoters.
But don't think big. Be prepared to offer Novices trials, because Amateurs don't always make the best pros.
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MalcolmDavies
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 26 Jul 2003, 09:01
So how did people like Hennessy, Shepherd, Warren (a believe he was into unlicenced shows) start?
I assume i need to be licenced by the BBoBC, and how about seconds, refs, what's the going for putting on say a four card show at say a small hotel in Coventry, with boxers, seconds, refs etc. What sort of money are we talking?
I'd love to have a stab!
I assume i need to be licenced by the BBoBC, and how about seconds, refs, what's the going for putting on say a four card show at say a small hotel in Coventry, with boxers, seconds, refs etc. What sort of money are we talking?
I'd love to have a stab!
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kevin
- Heavyweight
Put me down as a sponsor!..
John Shepherd would be the best one to talk to, he's been there and has the t-shirt and the ringside seat!!
Kev
http://www.britishboxing.net/index.php
John Shepherd would be the best one to talk to, he's been there and has the t-shirt and the ringside seat!!
Kev
http://www.britishboxing.net/index.php
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Guest
- Heavyweight
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MalcolmDavies
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 21
- Joined: 26 Jul 2003, 09:01
Without TV backing, it's very difficult, nay impossible, to make any money as a promoter nowadays. Your best bet, Malcolm, is to manage a group of fighters who can look after themselves and stay busy. There's good money to be made in providing 'opponents' for the big promoters, ala Nobby Nobbs. And one or two of those fighters can go on to make something of themselves. It's not all doom and gloom. Even Nobby has had champions.
People laugh at his "Losers Limited" group, but they wouldn't if they knew how much the likes of Peter Buckley and Paul Denton were getting paid for fights. allegedly especially is a great payer. And there's a gap in the market for another Nobby, or another Wally Swift, or another Dai Gardiner, i.e., a manager who can provide opponents at the drop of a hat.
Eugene Maloney ran a small hall show a few months ago and the bill started falling apart on the day. He discovered that Nobby had promised his boys to another promoter on the same night, so had to run a depleted show. Sometimes, without Nobby, there's no fights.
People laugh at his "Losers Limited" group, but they wouldn't if they knew how much the likes of Peter Buckley and Paul Denton were getting paid for fights. allegedly especially is a great payer. And there's a gap in the market for another Nobby, or another Wally Swift, or another Dai Gardiner, i.e., a manager who can provide opponents at the drop of a hat.
Eugene Maloney ran a small hall show a few months ago and the bill started falling apart on the day. He discovered that Nobby had promised his boys to another promoter on the same night, so had to run a depleted show. Sometimes, without Nobby, there's no fights.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 13262
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
According to this site Eugine was a 3-5-1 pro with 2 KO's. He was the most active fighter cause his career spaned 7 years (1981-1988). According to the site he was self managed and campaigned mainly at Featherweight.
No word (on here) about a pro career of Frankie boy.
However, I'm almost convinced of this fact (maybe it was in the unlicenced days). Wasn't it on that good BBC documentary about the money in the boxing game. Shown just after Audley's first fight. It spoke to Warren prior to Hatton vs Pep.
Anyone remember, or is this a dream.
No word (on here) about a pro career of Frankie boy.
However, I'm almost convinced of this fact (maybe it was in the unlicenced days). Wasn't it on that good BBC documentary about the money in the boxing game. Shown just after Audley's first fight. It spoke to Warren prior to Hatton vs Pep.
Anyone remember, or is this a dream.
Yes, allegedly made his name as an unlicenced promoter. He actually promoted the infamous fight betwen Lenny McLean and "Mad" Gyspsy Bradshaw, who Mclean nailed with his first punch of the fight and then attacked on the floor. It's been shown on TV on several occasions and is truly sickening fare.
Holdsworth is currently promoting unlicenced shows in Watford, but the game has moved on from those dark days of the 70's.
Frank Maloney was never a pro. Eugene was of course, and a tough nut. "No matter what happened in my fights," he said recently. "I always offered my hand to the ref at the final bell."
Holdsworth is currently promoting unlicenced shows in Watford, but the game has moved on from those dark days of the 70's.
Frank Maloney was never a pro. Eugene was of course, and a tough nut. "No matter what happened in my fights," he said recently. "I always offered my hand to the ref at the final bell."
Some of these facts are quite fascinating.
I didn't know Steve Holdsworth had some involvement in the unlicenced game. I find this particularly odd, because I have heard him commentating and he's not to pleased when he's commentating on a fighter that has a record suitable for a place in the Norman Nobbs gym. Infact, he has said on more than one occasion that a fighter who has had more than 50 fights, losing more than he's won, should be forced to retire.
However, as Bennie said without these "characters" there would be no boxing. Steve is the only commentator who I have heard with these views - particularly odd him still being a promoter of sorts.
I didn't know Steve Holdsworth had some involvement in the unlicenced game. I find this particularly odd, because I have heard him commentating and he's not to pleased when he's commentating on a fighter that has a record suitable for a place in the Norman Nobbs gym. Infact, he has said on more than one occasion that a fighter who has had more than 50 fights, losing more than he's won, should be forced to retire.
However, as Bennie said without these "characters" there would be no boxing. Steve is the only commentator who I have heard with these views - particularly odd him still being a promoter of sorts.
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45231
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
Buckley
Peter Buckley, what an amazing guy, I'd love to do an interview with him. It's amazing that he has only been stopped 5 times in a career that long, and considering that those KO's all came against future champs, pretty much anyway.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 13262
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
Seem to remember even old Ken Buchanan tried his hand at unlicenced boxing, around the time he lost to Lance Williams - not sure it ever came off though?
Warren was struggling to get in on the act in the mid 80's, while Duff & co had their stranglehold on the UK scene - they used to take quite a few shots at him for being involved in the shadier side of the game.
He eventualy made his break through with Terry Marsh, plus nicked a ew fading UK stars from Duff and others, givng them one last shot at world title glory: Magri, Jones, Sibson..
Warren was struggling to get in on the act in the mid 80's, while Duff & co had their stranglehold on the UK scene - they used to take quite a few shots at him for being involved in the shadier side of the game.
He eventualy made his break through with Terry Marsh, plus nicked a ew fading UK stars from Duff and others, givng them one last shot at world title glory: Magri, Jones, Sibson..
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knockout artist
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1482
- Joined: 03 Sep 2003, 13:18
Re: Becoming a promoter
You need 15000-20000 for a 4 fight small hall show (I think four is the minimum amount of bouts you need) (not in London). You might break even, if you are really lucky.MalcolmDavies wrote:How does one become a promoter?
How much would one need to say organise a four fight card at a small venue?
What about attracting a big name?
Malcolm
Budget to LOSE a lot of money.
Without TV you wont make a penny unless you have got two or three local boys, good ticket sellers on the bill.
If you are paying your fighters out of tickets they sell themselves, always under-estimate what they sell. They say to you on the phone theyve done 3 grand then turn up at the venue with 1200 quid and a load of unsold tickets.
If you get 500 in a hall allow for 100-150 freebies, what with people sneaking in, family freinds trainers cornermen, bucketmen etc.
Youve got advertising local press, fly posting, posters etc.
Security is not cheap, Headline are the best, but they are only Human and cant account for everyone.
Mike Goodall does a very good job of setting up the ring and advertising boards, then jumps into a penguin suit for the MC. He provides a very good service for a reasonable price - A real pro.
You need money to burn or a TV contract.
Its not worth the hassle unless you can get TV and even then it may not be enough.
If you have TV with say Eurosport you have to pay their production costs upfront (about 8000-10000 dollars) then wait at least 90 days after the show for your money 12000-15000 dollars.
Channel 5 might do the production for free, but not pay you a fee and put it on a 5 in the morning.
You need business sponsorship, and they always moan that they did not get enough exposure and always haggle about the money after.
If you want a sure fire way of losing money - Promote Boxing without TV.
I funded some shows at York Hall last year, one with a big name and a great main event, in fact a good show all round. the crowd loved it.
It lost £12,000.
Re: Becoming a promoter
Great post. I think that answers Malcolm's question in full.knockout artist wrote:You need 15000-20000 for a 4 fight small hall show (I think four is the minimum amount of bouts you need) (not in London). You might break even, if you are really lucky.MalcolmDavies wrote:How does one become a promoter?
How much would one need to say organise a four fight card at a small venue?
What about attracting a big name?
Malcolm
Budget to LOSE a lot of money.
Without TV you wont make a penny unless you have got two or three local boys, good ticket sellers on the bill.
If you are paying your fighters out of tickets they sell themselves, always under-estimate what they sell. They say to you on the phone theyve done 3 grand then turn up at the venue with 1200 quid and a load of unsold tickets.
If you get 500 in a hall allow for 100-150 freebies, what with people sneaking in, family freinds trainers cornermen, bucketmen etc.
Youve got advertising local press, fly posting, posters etc.
Security is not cheap, Headline are the best, but they are only Human and cant account for everyone.
Mike Goodall does a very good job of setting up the ring and advertising boards, then jumps into a penguin suit for the MC. He provides a very good service for a reasonable price - A real pro.
You need money to burn or a TV contract.
Its not worth the hassle unless you can get TV and even then it may not be enough.
If you have TV with say Eurosport you have to pay their production costs upfront (about 8000-10000 dollars) then wait at least 90 days after the show for your money 12000-15000 dollars.
Channel 5 might do the production for free, but not pay you a fee and put it on a 5 in the morning.
You need business sponsorship, and they always moan that they did not get enough exposure and always haggle about the money after.
If you want a sure fire way of losing money - Promote Boxing without TV.
I funded some shows at York Hall last year, one with a big name and a great main event, in fact a good show all round. the crowd loved it.
It lost £12,000.