THE BUSINESS OF BOXING

YOUR FIGHTER ORGANIZATION

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SECTION 1 ARCHIVES-MANAGEMENT
YOUR FIGHTER ORGANIZATION
THIRD WORLD FIGHTERS, AN UNTAPPED MARKET
MAKING BUSINESS DEALS IN THE FIGHT GAME
INVESTING IN FIGHTERS & THE FIGHT GAME
SCOUTING YOUR OPPONENTS, SETTING UP A SCOUT NETWORK
AVOIDING SUCKA FIGHTS: CHALLENGING THE RIGHT FIGHTERS IN ROUTE TO THE TITLE
HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A SPARRING PARTNER; CHECK THIS OUT!
BOXING NEGOTIATION, PART 2; THE RULES OF NEGOTIATING
BOXING NEGOTIATIONS, PART 1
PROMOTIONAL CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT-STARTING YOUR BOXING CAREER, PART 2
STARTING YOUR BOXING CAREER
MANAGING FIGHTERS AND THE GROWTH OF FIGHTING
SECTION 2, FIGHTER DEVELOPMENT
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIPS-NO MORE AMERICANS!
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-THE ART OF SLIPPING PUNCHES
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-SLOWING DOWN THE SPEEDY OPPONENT
TIMING-THE "DIRECT CONNECT" OF FIGHTING SPORTS
THE "OVER" PUNCHES-THE SNEAKIEST PUNCHES IN THE BUSINESS
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-KILLSHOTS-SETTING UP YOUR OPPONENT FOR A KNOCKOUT
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-MULTIPLE OPPONENT DRILLS
FROM LOSING TO WINNING!
UNDERSTANDING POWER. PART 2
UNDERSTANDING POWER, PART 1
YOUTH, WHY THEY SHOULDN'T RESIST RESISTANCE TRAINING
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-BALLOON TRAINING FOR BOXING AND KICKBOXING
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-STEP JUMPING KICKS
SECTION 3, MEDIA AND PROMOTION
ALIGNING WITH CELEBRITIES TO PUBLICIZE YOUR FIGHT OR FITNESS BUSINESS
SKILLZ & DRILLZ-THE IMPORTANCE OF VIDEOTAPING FIGHT TRAINING
PROMOTION-STARTING YOUR INTERNET RADIO
CLUB OWNERS & FIGHTERS-PUBLIC CABLE ACCESS TV AS A TOOL
ICE HOCKEY AND PUGILISM
RAP, ROCK AND FIGHT PROMOTION
MULTIMEDIA-STARTING YOUR OWN RADIO PROGRAM
PROMOTION-THE TV FIGHT NIGHT PARTY
MARKETING-FREE, MAGIC WORD OR FOUR LETTER WORD
SECTION 4, GYMS,CLUBS AND PROGRAMS
SCIENTIFIC KNOCKOUT BY CHRISTIAN TOTO
AMERICAN IDOL AND CHAMPION BOXER
FIGHTER BOOT CAMP
THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR FIGHT: SHOULD THERE BE SEX?
CHUCK NORRIS & THE WORLD COMBAT LEAGUE
CREATING A SELF DEFENSE PROGRAM
AVOIDING BURNOUT
CRIME 2006: THE NEED FOR SELF-DEFENSE
BARRY BONDS & JACK JOHNSON, THEIR CAREER SIMILARITIES
BOXING & STERIODS
BOXING AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS-A COMMENTARY
BOXING AND THE EXURBS-DEVELOPING NEW MARKETS
UNDOCUMENTED BOXING OR FIGHT CLUBS
TRAINING FIGHTERS VIRTUALLY GYMLESS: THE GARY RUSSELL SENIOR STORY
EXHIBITION BOXING-THE OTHER SIDE OF FIGHT PROFESSIONALISM
OVERTRAINING: THE KEY TO A CHAMPIONSHIP-THE MILETICH FIGHTING SYSTEM
BOXING AND MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; A MERGER?
PROFITING FROM THE ELDER BOXER
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS- SELLING YOUR SKILLS TO FOOTBALL
EXOTIC FIGHTING-BIKINI & NUDE BOXING & GRAPPLING
BIG PROFITS IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
A RESPONSE TO FIGHTING & BRAIN DAMAGE FROM RUSTY ROSENBERGER
WHAT IS THE BEST MUSCLE BUILDING SUPPLEMENT TODAY?
FULL CONTACT FIGHTING & BRAIN DAMAGE
DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIONS
THE MATURATION OF MIKE TYSON
BOXING BIKINI BEACH PARTY
EVERYBODY WINS-THE USE OF CONSOLATION FIGHTS AS A RETENTION TOOL
LEGAL LIABILITY AND THE MARTIAL ARTS BY BILL MC CABE
BODYBOXING BY RUSTY ROSENBERGER
"HELP!, SOMEBODY HELP ME WITH THESE KIDS!" MARYLAND BOXING COACH NEEDS HELP!
BOXING AND CANCER-THE CHAMPION INSIDE, A NEW FILM
FEMALE BOXER DIES IN BOUT
FIGHTERS AND DEPRESSION
OPERATING YOUR OWN BOXING, WRESTLING AND MARTIAL ARTS SUMMER CAMP
SO YOU WANNA BE A FIGHT PROMOTER!
ALTERNATIVE GYMS
STARTING A BOXING GYM,PART 3-THE MINI GYM
MIKE TYSON AT THE CROSSROADS-TRAINING THE OLDER FIGHTER
STARTING A BOXING GYM, PART 2, WRITING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN
STARTING A BOXING GYM, PART 1
ONLINE TRAINING: A GREAT WAY TO EXPAND YOUR CLUB!
WRESTLING IN HIGH SCHOOLS USA-GIRLS COMPETING AGAINST BOYS
WRESTLING-LADY WRESTLERS, SUPERSTARS AND SUPERWOMEN
EXPANDING YOUR CLUB-COLLEGE BOXING AND KICKBOXING
BOXING & WRESTLING-SPRING BREAK CAMP
SUMMER BOXING RETREATS
CURRICULUM-EXECUTIVE BOXING
ENHANCING YOUR BOXING CAREER-SPARRING PARTNERS
GAMES & COMPETITION-THE HEAVYBAG RACE
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YOUR FIGHTER ORGANIZATION

 

I was sitting in a fast food restaurant a couple of weeks ago with some young twenty something adults. One young lady who was very bright and is seeking to test her entrepreneur skills said, “Mike, I’m considering getting into the fight business.  I have been training at the gym and there are a lot of good fighters around here. I think all they need is someone to push them a little.”

 

Sure there are great fighter walking the streets everyday, but it takes more than just training a fighter to get to a major championship.  Today you want your fighter to earn millions.  It takes a special and unique fighter to bring that kind of earnings to you.  You do not want a fighter who is dragging around a lot of problems in his life.  If he is talented but occupied with problems, you may not be able to break him into the upper ranks.

 

When recruiting a great fighter, these are some on the things you want to see in a potentially great fighter.

 

1.      A Rock Hard Chin.  No matter what an opponent throws at him.  He will stand and fight.

2.      Attitude-A guy that looks you straight in the eye and likes to beat people up.  He feels that he can beat anybody. Will fight anyone regardless of weight class. Sugar Ray Leonard and Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson were two amazing men. The guys will fight anyone even through they were small men. In the late nineties, Mark Johnson at 110 pounds would spar every Friday morning to afternoon with boxers of any weight class. The gym was pack with folks. People would leave their jobs at lunchtime to watch him.  Just about everyone he sparred in preparation for his fights were bigger than him. Usually welterweights to heavyweights.

3.      Speed, speed, speed and more speed-If he is a boxer, grappler or mixed martial artist, you want to see great speed in punching, kicking, throws and takedowns. He must have great lateral, forward and back movement.

4.      Power-The ability to knock someone down or out.  Once you have looked at enough fighters, you will be a better judge of a fighter’s power.  By watching sparring and bag work, you will be able to see and hear his power.  But the proof is always in his fight record. It will reflect the number of knockouts he has had.

5.      Strength-This applies more to grapplers and mixed martial artists.  Keep a keen eye on the quickness and power of a takedown or submission.

6.      Education-Fighters are smarter these days.  If you look at the backgrounds of mixed martial artists in the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), a large percentage of them have earned a bachelor’s degree.  Boxers, amateur and professionals are using advance education as an option to open up other means of to earning a living. Some are seeking degrees as they pursue their professional careers.

7.      Morality-Is the fighter a good person? If you invest your time and money in a fighter, you do not want to bail him out of jail.  Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were men of good moral fiber; they had long distinguished careers.  Mike Tyson’s career was continually disrupted and finally ended because of his poor judgment and bad behavior.

8.      Does your fighter love to fight more than anything?  Does he leaves his girlfriend to fight?  Does he enjoy the odor of the gym?  Is he on time for his training sessions or is he early? Is he improving all the time and seeking to learn more?  Then you may have a million dollar fighter on your hand!

 

Now that we have an idea what makes a million dollar fighter.  How do we make a million dollar fight organization? Yes an organization!

 

No, you cannot call yourself a fight manager or promoter, Willy nilly with a handshake agreement, and then start your fighter off in some God forsaken fight club on 5th and Elm Streets in your town.

 

Building up a fight organization takes time.  You have to have knowledgeable and dedicated people or if they are not knowledgeable, select a group who will be capable of researching and learning the industry.

 

Your group must have enough funds for the business to start up without difficulty.  You must follow the rules of typical business start up.

 

You business may be defined as a:

 

  • Sole Proprietorship
  • Partnership
  • Corporation
  • Limited Liability Company

 

You must investigate and see which best applies best to your organization

 

When recruiting fighters for your management organization, you must recruit proven talent with sterling national or international records, just like the National Football League (NFL), The Premier League or the National Basketball Association (NBA).  You want someone that has seen it all before. A fighter who will not be awe struck by the big lights, national or international events, fighters who carry themselves like proper ladies and gentlemen.  Not people who will be a headache or an embarrassment.

 

To find these fighters, the world is your recruitment ground. Here are some of the better countries to recruit great fighters.

 

  • Eastern Europe-Since the end of the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe has cranked out great fighters at every level in boxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts.  Eastern Europeans are really having an impact in boxing and mixed martial arts.  This region is just scratching the surface in its production of champions in the world fight community.
  • The United States-A steady flow of fighters, whether it is boxing, wrestling or mixed martial arts.  A lot of the fighters don’t stay in the amateur ranks long, they realize this is a rich country and the spectators in the US enjoy the fighting arts and sports.
  • Puerto Rico-This is still the good old USA, never at a loss for good fighters.
  • Japan-A traditional power in the fighting sports.  Great promoters and a fan base that thirst for fights.  The Japanese appreciate every type of fighting sports and a traditional mixed martial arts power.  Japan is very consistent in producing great fighters but they rarely leave the country to train in foreign lands. But attitudes are changing.
  • Mexico-Should I say more, arguably some of the best boxers in the world, particularly in the lighter weight divisions. A traditional power in producing champion lightweight fighters. Totally dedicated well schooled professionals. Mexican fighters will turn pro at very young ages.
  • Cuba-Probably the best amateur boxing fighter powerhouse in the world.   A poor country that have probably done more with less than any other country in the world.  Great coaches who train most of the boxers straight from grade school to adulthood.
  • Canada-A country with a good fight tradition.  But their impact in the future will not come from boxing or wrestling.  Because of the current world population shifts, Canada may be the next sleeping giant in the world of mixed martial arts. Canadian fighters are having an impact in the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
  • Nigeria-The country with the largest African population but slowly losing their influence in the world of amateur and professional boxing. In the past, we have watch Nigerian champions in the amateur and professional ranks.  But in recent years, Nigerians have had more impact in other areas around the world such as basketball, soccer, the Arts, commerce and medicine.  But Nigeria still have solid potential for boxing, boxing is still popular there as a spectator sport.
  • Thailand-Much is said about Thai boxing. It is now one of the world’s great martial arts.  Thai professional boxers do not get as much credit in the western media as they should.  Unfortunately, we do not get to see many pro boxers from Thailand.  I am not talking about the kickboxers but their boxers.  Every decade Thailand produces a great boxer that dominates the Straweights to Bantamweights and they will remain in a top position for many years. A good ground for boxing and kickboxing recruiting.  Like the US, a country that is equally dedicated to boxing as well as kickboxing.
  • Venezuela-This is a quiet, but solid recruiting ground for boxers. Baseball and soccer is still king there, but it is still the best kept secret for boxing talent.
  • Dominican Republic-A solid baseball factory but this island has it share of great professional champions.  Still a good recruiting ground for boxers.
  • Brazil-I saved this country for last. A melting pot of mixed races, which resulted in a country of beautiful people. Soccer is number one there, basketball is a valued sport but the mixed martial arts may be a close second or third.  Brazilians has had their affect on how the world fights, particularly in the US. Mixed martial arts has hit cable and pay per view prime time in the US because of the Brazilian impact of the sport.  The US has not lost its thirst for mixed martial artists that come from this country.  Brazil has no shortage of fighters to teach and participate in boxing, Ju Jitsu and mixed martial arts. A prime garden for fighters of all varieties.  Recruiting fighters from Brazil will be a winning move.

 

Now that we have an idea of the best places to recruit good fighters lets get an idea what a fight organization entails.

 

  • Fighters-Enough said.
  • The Gyms-The mixed martial arts and kickboxing pros are beginning to build gyms which are based on training for big bucks only. They are private locations dedicated to training professionals.  No karate classes, no after school programs, no fitness programs. Private training for those men and women who are interested in a career fighting for money. Boxing has gone into this area to a limited extent but they are still dependant on the general public for funding. 
  • Managers-Some work exclusively with fighters. Some work here, there and everywhere.  But in your organization, this is the guy who handles the day to day activities.  He has to see if the fighters are taken care of, if they are practicing consistently. Check the fighter’s financial future.  Works on the fighter’s schedules and general business.
  • Promoter/Matchmaker-It is best that this individual does not wear the hat of a manager.  He will look for fights, contact and work with other fight promoters.  If there are no fights for our fighters, he will create the fights and present them to the organization for approval. This pro will see that our fighters will stay in the public eye and keep them busy with quality fights. Fights that will hopefully move our fighter to the top of the ranks.
  • Publicist- This executive stays in contact with the media and will work with the manager, promoters, etc. He or she will keep the public informed about news involving the fighters.  The publicist will work with the sponsors, casinos, charitable organizations, etc.
  • Lawyer/Law Advisor-This individual or company will advise the group, help write contracts, review contracts, interpret laws based on sports entertainment, media, etc.
  • The Investors-The investors in your fight group can be limited partners, permanent members or is associated with the group on a temporary basis.  They put up money for various reasons, but their prime reason is to make money.  They will finance a fight that is promoted by your group, help with training expenses, provide pay to the fighters until the fighter receives his purse and after a fight they will earn a large percentage on the principal they had invested. The investors can be interested individuals, businesses corporations, investment banks, venture capitalist, television networks and sponsors.

 

This is just a basic look at a fight organization. This is the foundation of the million dollar fighters.  Everywhere in sports in order to make it to the big time, you have to plan and run your fight activities like a corporation.  If you are not operating as a fight corporation, you will struggle and remain small.

 

 

AS ALWAYS…

 

KEEP YOUR GUARD UP AND KEEP ON PUNCHING!

 

 

 

 

 

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