The Big problem in UK Boxing

[earsjohn]

What have Matthew Macklin, Amir Khan, Darren Barker, Brian Magee, George Groves, Liam Walsh, John Murray, Denton Vassell, Jamie Cox, Kevin Mitchell, Prince Arron, Sam Webb and Danny McIntosh got in common?

No, it is not that they are all holders or recent holders of a title belt of some kind.

Each of them has fought just a single time in the period from 1st August 2011 to 9th July 2012. In almost a year, 13 of the UK's top 40 (at a push) have been seen by the public just once. There have been extenuating circumstances, such as injury, promoter issues and the UK justice system, but this is surely not good enough. Particularly when the likes of Ricky Burns, Martin Murray, Nathan Cleverly, Jamie McDonnell, James DeGale, Tony Bellew, Matthew Hatton and David Price have each been out just twice in that same period.

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

[Londonirish]

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

All would like to get out 4 times a year I think it come's down to TV dates and Money imo nothing else.

[Counter-puncher]

maybe fighters at the top end will have to start settling for less money then Martin?

[earsjohn]

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

All would like to get out 4 times a year I think it come's down to TV dates and Money imo nothing else.

I understand the money argument, but surely there's a case for taking more fights with a lower purse, rather than sitting about waiting for a single big pay day? Plus with more fights there is more exposure and more chance of improving your financial pulling power (as well as diminishing it).

There is more boxing on TV now than ever before - how did the boxers of the 80's and 90's cope with the lack of TV dates? I'm sure they boxed more frequently, off-TV and sought to earn the right to TV exposure.

[Londonirish]

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

All would like to get out 4 times a year I think it come's down to TV dates and Money imo nothing else.

I understand the money argument, but surely there's a case for taking more fights with a lower purse, rather than sitting about waiting for a single big pay day? Plus with more fights there is more exposure and more chance of improving your financial pulling power (as well as diminishing it).

There is more boxing on TV now than ever before - how did the boxers of the 80's and 90's cope with the lack of TV dates? I'm sure they boxed more frequently, off-TV and sought to earn the right to TV exposure.

maybe fighters at the top end will have to start settling for less money then Martin?

Make you right..

[whiskey]

Murray's activity will hurt him I feel.

He needs a few euro level fights... Quickly.

[earsjohn]

Murray's activity will hurt him I feel.

He needs a few euro level fights... Quickly.

John, Martin, Joe or all of the above?

[whiteboy]

considering the reported purse from the martinez fight i doubt macklin is quite as bothered as the others

[Camcas]

What have Matthew Macklin, Amir Khan, Darren Barker, Brian Magee, George Groves, Liam Walsh, John Murray, Denton Vassell, Jamie Cox, Kevin Mitchell, Prince Arron, Sam Webb and Danny McIntosh got in common?

No, it is not that they are all holders or recent holders of a title belt of some kind.

Each of them has fought just a single time in the period from 1st August 2011 to 9th July 2012. In almost a year, 13 of the UK's top 40 (at a push) have been seen by the public just once. There have been extenuating circumstances, such as injury, promoter issues and the UK justice system, but this is surely not good enough. Particularly when the likes of Ricky Burns, Martin Murray, Nathan Cleverly, Jamie McDonnell, James DeGale, Tony Bellew, Matthew Hatton and David Price have each been out just twice in that same period.

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

Most of them have reasons for being out of the ring though, and a lot that you mention have fought more than once

[earsjohn]

What have Matthew Macklin, Amir Khan, Darren Barker, Brian Magee, George Groves, Liam Walsh, John Murray, Denton Vassell, Jamie Cox, Kevin Mitchell, Prince Arron, Sam Webb and Danny McIntosh got in common?

No, it is not that they are all holders or recent holders of a title belt of some kind.

Each of them has fought just a single time in the period from 1st August 2011 to 9th July 2012. In almost a year, 13 of the UK's top 40 (at a push) have been seen by the public just once. There have been extenuating circumstances, such as injury, promoter issues and the UK justice system, but this is surely not good enough. Particularly when the likes of Ricky Burns, Martin Murray, Nathan Cleverly, Jamie McDonnell, James DeGale, Tony Bellew, Matthew Hatton and David Price have each been out just twice in that same period.

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

Most of them have reasons for being out of the ring though, and a lot that you mention have fought more than once

Which ones? Let me know and I'll get Boxrec to update their records.

[Camcas]

What have Matthew Macklin, Amir Khan, Darren Barker, Brian Magee, George Groves, Liam Walsh, John Murray, Denton Vassell, Jamie Cox, Kevin Mitchell, Prince Arron, Sam Webb and Danny McIntosh got in common?

No, it is not that they are all holders or recent holders of a title belt of some kind.

Each of them has fought just a single time in the period from 1st August 2011 to 9th July 2012. In almost a year, 13 of the UK's top 40 (at a push) have been seen by the public just once. There have been extenuating circumstances, such as injury, promoter issues and the UK justice system, but this is surely not good enough. Particularly when the likes of Ricky Burns, Martin Murray, Nathan Cleverly, Jamie McDonnell, James DeGale, Tony Bellew, Matthew Hatton and David Price have each been out just twice in that same period.

What is causing this and, more importantly, what can be done?

Most of them have reasons for being out of the ring though, and a lot that you mention have fought more than once

Which ones? Let me know and I'll get Boxrec to update their records.

Khan has obvious reasons for being out and is fighting this weekend so not really once in a year. Macklin has fought 2 world title fights in a couple of weeks over the year and is fighting again in September so not that inactive. Barker has had serious injury which has only healed in time for his September fight. Magee fought a couple of times and got another fight lined up but the guys name escapes me. Mitchell would have fought in the US if it wasn't for Visa issues. Etc

But i do agree with your post that fighters are way too inactive in this day and age and something needs to be done about it

[earsjohn]

Khan will have fought three fights in less than a year on Saturday, I'd hardly put him in the same category as some you've mentioned.

Maybe Khan was a distraction from the point I'm trying to make, but nevertheless he has only fought once in the period I specified.

I've come to accept that once a fighter reaches "world level", they'll only be out twice a year, but most of those i mentioned are UK and Euro level and almost all are mid-late 20's and in the supposed prime of their careers. Kevin Mitchell, George Groves, David Price, James DeGale - there is no VALID reason for them to have been so inactive.

[iftkwoody]

I seriously doubt they say no to fights because of money more like there manager or promoter wants more nt the fighter.

[Finn]

I think the problem is good fighters holding onto paper titles or not fighting the other good fighters.

Britains been good recently but people need to be looking at froch and saying thats the way i want my career to go instead of say clev who probably not through his own fault is fighting absolute nobodies when he has a world title. Either go fight guys in the top 20 and mainly in the top 10 or give the belt back and practice your trade on journeymen.

And its relevent to levels - If your ranked 10th and 11th in the UK in your division you should be fighting each other. Munroe v Quigg, degale v groves, fury v chisora - these are fights that get people interested. Not Super amazing prospect v TBA or fat eastern block guy with feather fists.