BoxRec

The reason this question is being asked is someone i know is considering turning pro this summer, hes done 4 amateurs won all by ko.
Been on the unlicensed seen since (i help train him and hes a friend hence asking the question) on the unlicensed circuit hes won the vast majority, usually by KO but the dilemma is he cant shift tickets, around 10 tickets is his limit.
So hes never going to be matched in the home corner unless he can get good sponsorship.
I dont imagine many promoters risking their ticket sellers with him either cos hes got monstrous punch power.

Hypothetically how would you think the best way of him being used on the pro scene is ?
Hes losing motivation on the unlicensed circuit , fights are too easy , which can then lead to lacklustre performance at times, and sees going back to amateurs as a step backwards (apart from the fact he also doesnt get paid too)
His skills are basic, but not raw... he can and would beat anyone locally his weight whos already pro of those ive seen box (obviously ive not seen every single boxer in the east mids let alone the whole mids) although id imagine area title would be his upper limit.

Edit : to add as hes been spoken about on here in the past by damian, hes been robbed of a decision against Kev Concepcion, fought a tough fight losing out to Gary Reid , beat Sam Eggington and Knocked out Daniel Thorpe (twice).

Hes been taking fights against 12 stone lads to get fights lately (against my advice though)

Don't bother or learn to lose without getting banged up.

Sounds like his best bet is going back amateur. Pay isn't an issue if he is only selling 10 tickets, thats £50 at most unlicensed shows.

It depends how old he is and what he's wanting from his boxing. If he's early 20's it'd be worthwhile spending a dull season working on basics and defence I'd have thought. He alaomahould get into the routine of doing roadwork so he's got the stamina to fight well in every round and not blow up. There are loads of ex boxers on here who could give career advice, get their advice and you'll not be reinventing the wheel. Best of luck to you both

leejonesjnr wrote:Sounds like his best bet is going back amateur. Pay isn't an issue if he is only selling 10 tickets, thats £50 at most unlicensed shows.

He boxes on away shows more often than not, so earns £200 usually,10 tickets is £100 commison. his promoter hasnt been putting shows on recently, due to something a lot of posters are aware of. Although thats about to change.

palooka wrote:It depends how old he is and what he's wanting from his boxing. If he's early 20's it'd be worthwhile spending a dull season working on basics and defence I'd have thought. He alaomahould get into the routine of doing roadwork so he's got the stamina to fight well in every round and not blow up. There are loads of ex boxers on here who could give career advice, get their advice and you'll not be reinventing the wheel. Best of luck to you both

I dont actually know how old he is, never asked... my guess would be 24/25 approx

It must be very exciting looking to turn pro knowing you've got a knockout punch - the pros though have the experience and nounce to keep out of the way of the hardest shots. There's a real skill to pro boxing at every level and it's similar to a trade - there shouldn't be a mad rush before he's got the basics and a bit more - saying that though Damien and Billy Bessey are the experts, it'd be nice if he does well

If this kid has a good KO punch and is a decent fighter, wouldnt it be wise going to see a low key promotor and see if he can get a few fights, maybe a couple of fights deal, or even 2 fights deal with no wage so to speak. My meaning of this is hope that if he is as good as you think someone will spot him and take him on. Like a football player, start in non league and get spotted by a club in the Championship or premiership for example. Lets his fists do the promoting in hope their is a 'scout' in the audiance.

Im not sure how boxing works in terms of scouting but im sure if he was the next big hitter, someone will soon sit up and see a cash register on his hands and not gloves.

Good luck though

Try and build his profile or go on the road. If he's as good as you think he may get signed by a larger promotional outfit.

An older video (he doesnt put much on internet to avoid opponents watching)
He had huffed and puffed a bit with this journeyman, struggling to break him down, until this... only shows the 4th round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKU6mh1EqvE

Looking On wrote:An older video (he doesnt put much on internet to avoid opponents watching)
He had huffed and puffed a bit with this journeyman, struggling to break him down, until this... only shows the 4th round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKU6mh1EqvE

He's pretty good, looks heavy handed and aggressive - that was a good knockout - worse boxers have got in with a good promoter. I'd hope Steve Goodwin was watching - he seems to give good chances to men who give their all. You could message him with the link - Goodwin doesn't seem a shark like some of the others and may be able to build this fella.

I know the fighter in question. Has knockout power but needs bit more schooling.

He doesn't understand the business side of boxing and has no interest in selling tickets. At the same time, him being on the bill helps others sell tickets

If he doesn't want to go on the road, isn't a major talent and doesn't shift tickets then going pro is going to be a very tricky venture.

Pro boxing has changed so much in the last twenty years re small hall promoting. I never boxed in my own county let alone own city for my first 9 fights and boxed 3 stellar amateurs amongst them, I won 4 lost 4 and drew one as the away fighter. This wasn't cos I was special but merely the promoter put the home fighter in more competetive fights...60/40 rather than 90/10. They're terrified of ticket sellers losing. Also the wages haven't altered, my last fight in 2000 I got 2400 for an away 8 rounder, my pal boxed the other week and got 1800 for an area title(plus commission) albeit he was the home fighter but still? Heard a horror story about a kid recently who,cos he dint shift his tkts etc finished up with less than 100 quid. F@@kin criminal.

manno wrote:Pro boxing has changed so much in the last twenty years re small hall promoting. I never boxed in my own county let alone own city for my first 9 fights and boxed 3 stellar amateurs amongst them, I won 4 lost 4 and drew one as the away fighter. This wasn't cos I was special but merely the promoter put the home fighter in more competetive fights...60/40 rather than 90/10. They're terrified of ticket sellers losing. Also the wages haven't altered, my last fight in 2000 I got 2400 for an away 8 rounder, my pal boxed the other week and got 1800 for an area title(plus commission) albeit he was the home fighter but still? Heard a horror story about a kid recently who,cos he dint shift his tkts etc finished up with less than 100 quid. F@@kin criminal.

i've heard worse than that, a lad not selling enough tickets so ended up owing the promoter money, he basically had to pay to box on the show.

No wonder some lads are comfortable fighting unlicensed, with ticket commission some are earning £500+ for 3x2's...

Difficult one if he isn't a big ticket seller. My mate was a highly decorated amateur (5 Scottish titles, 3 or 4 Western districts), boxed for Scotland numerous times. He turned pro initially under Barry Hughes but when that went tits up he ended up signing with Gilmour and completely fell out of love with the sport. Couple of times he was offered fights at a days notice etc.. Was not well looked after at all just because he wasn't a massive ticket seller. Gilmour ended up trying to use him as fodder at short notice even though he was undefeated as a pro! He's wrapped it now and to this day he says he wishes he stayed amateur. Trains boys for the white collar circuit now.

arlovski wrote:

manno wrote:Pro boxing has changed so much in the last twenty years re small hall promoting. I never boxed in my own county let alone own city for my first 9 fights and boxed 3 stellar amateurs amongst them, I won 4 lost 4 and drew one as the away fighter. This wasn't cos I was special but merely the promoter put the home fighter in more competetive fights...60/40 rather than 90/10. They're terrified of ticket sellers losing. Also the wages haven't altered, my last fight in 2000 I got 2400 for an away 8 rounder, my pal boxed the other week and got 1800 for an area title(plus commission) albeit he was the home fighter but still? Heard a horror story about a kid recently who,cos he dint shift his tkts etc finished up with less than 100 quid. F@@kin criminal.

i've heard worse than that, a lad not selling enough tickets so ended up owing the promoter money, he basically had to pay to box on the show.

No wonder some lads are comfortable fighting unlicensed, with ticket commission some are earning £500+ for 3x2's...

Decent lads who can sell tickets and still box unlicensed are doing so for a reason other than money.

I'm a bit thick, Lee - fill in the gaps for me please.

palooka wrote:I'm a bit thick, Lee - fill in the gaps for me please.

I think what he means is that if someone can sell tickets and are decent.. then they are probably just unable to get a license...
but thats not necesarily true. because i know of lads who go unlicensed instead of amateur for various reasons, and basically serve their apprenticeship there instead of in in amateur ring...

Look at rocky fielding. Turned pro without a promoter on small hall shows, don't think he was a massive ticket seller but he had decent power. Look at him now. That's would be the best framework to follow.

palooka wrote:I'm a bit thick, Lee - fill in the gaps for me please.

I was thinking 'to avoid testing'?

rio wrote:Look at rocky fielding. Turned pro without a promoter on small hall shows, don't think he was a massive ticket seller but he had decent power. Look at him now. That's would be the best framework to follow.

I always thought Rocky was a notoriously big seller? Does more tickets than all Smith bros, Bellew etc

Counter-puncher wrote:

palooka wrote:I'm a bit thick, Lee - fill in the gaps for me please.

I was thinking 'to avoid testing'?

Ahh, that'd !make sense

just a guess- its not as though BBBofC lads are pissing for testers every 5 minutes either as far as I know

Counter-puncher wrote:just a guess- its not as though BBBofC lads are pissing for testers every 5 minutes either as far as I know

I know a few unlicensed organisations making people do random piss tests on shows