BoxRec

In Britain we have quite a clear domestic level, the pinnacle of which is the British title. The vast majority of our world champions won the British title on their way up. The exceptions being Ricky Burns (fought for the belt twice and lost) and Carl Frampton (never fought for it). More routes to a world title shot seem to have appeared in recent years with the amount of international trinkets, but most still favour a more traditional route.

What's the deal with this in America? I know it's probably too big to have one domestic level, but what about in different regions? Is there a traditional route that guys that fight on smaller shows tend to go for? Is there any meaning or interest in that NABF title? A lot of up and coming fighters that fought on ESPN Friday Night Fights, were they fighting for any sort of title?

Around 15 years ago Friday Night Fights was filled with bouts for USBA/NABO/NABF titles, which were probably the closest American analouges of the British title. I'd say many of the regulars on the old FNF, such as Ray Oliveira and Scott Pemberton, were what I'd class as US domestic level fighters.

Back in the old days the NABF & USBA titles were competed for legitimately. We lost domestic level when promoters got casino, cable & PPV money and pretty much stopped promoting and building regional draws. Now that level would be guys like Arreola and Ruiz fighting nobody until they get beat up. Closest thing would be mainly Mexican fights in California and I suppose there is a midwest kind of circuit. That's what I love about the British scene, lively crowds and some solid fights.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Back in the old days the NABF & USBA titles were competed for legitimately. We lost domestic level when promoters got casino, cable & PPV money and pretty much stopped promoting and building regional draws. Now that level would be guys like Arreola and Ruiz fighting nobody until they get beat up. Closest thing would be mainly Mexican fights in California and I suppose there is a midwest kind of circuit. That's what I love about the British scene, lively crowds and some solid fights.

Agreed....I remember back when there was Tuesday night fights on usa. USBA/NABF were on the line, now we have a fuckin' wbc diamond

hurricanemitch14 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Back in the old days the NABF & USBA titles were competed for legitimately. We lost domestic level when promoters got casino, cable & PPV money and pretty much stopped promoting and building regional draws. Now that level would be guys like Arreola and Ruiz fighting nobody until they get beat up. Closest thing would be mainly Mexican fights in California and I suppose there is a midwest kind of circuit. That's what I love about the British scene, lively crowds and some solid fights.

Agreed....I remember back when there was Tuesday night fights on usa. USBA/NABF were on the line, now we have a fuckin' wbc diamond

Tony Martin!

And Gatti was domestic level.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

hurricanemitch14 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:Back in the old days the NABF & USBA titles were competed for legitimately. We lost domestic level when promoters got casino, cable & PPV money and pretty much stopped promoting and building regional draws. Now that level would be guys like Arreola and Ruiz fighting nobody until they get beat up. Closest thing would be mainly Mexican fights in California and I suppose there is a midwest kind of circuit. That's what I love about the British scene, lively crowds and some solid fights.

Agreed....I remember back when there was Tuesday night fights on usa. USBA/NABF were on the line, now we have a fuckin' wbc diamond

Tony Martin!

And Gatti was domestic level.

Tony Martin fought numerous times...along with Gatti. Got to see Sheika's first 12 fights on USA. Good times!!!

Yup, Ivan Robinson. The Blue Horizon fights were great. I also loved the old man showcases with Holmes, Spoon, Duran, etc..