Negotiations in the world of pugilism are pretty much like other parts of the business world.  If you are negotiating the rent on your gym, a fight deal with a promoter, pay distribution among your fighter and management team, a fight television deal, etc.  Basically, it often starts like this:

 

One or more individuals comes up with an idea.

 

The idea is planted in the individual or group's mind.

 

The other group is decides it is a good idea, BUT... there should be some modifications to this proposal to their liking.

 

The proposing group gets mad and everyone starts beefing (arguing).

 

After both sides run out of profanity and cat calling, cooler heads decide that the idea is too good to squash.  Both sides figure they need one another to pull it off, ...so now it is time to NEGOTIATE!

 

Negotiations in the fight business are the same as other businesses.  It can be hard, at times offensive and most of the time, very lengthy.  But understand that it is the most essential tool in plotting the course of your business. Many people view negotiating as a win/lose proposition.  This outlook is detrimental and can jeopardize any negotiation.  It can kill deals even after they have verbally agreed to.  It can damage business relationships and most importantly, it can drastically limit your ability to succeed at negotiating.

 

If you appear to be too aggressive and come off with that competitive attitude, your counter negotiator will be uneasy or even suspicious of you.  Even if you do negotiate the deal you want, beating the other party could hurt the possibility of future relationships and may result in cancellation of the deal some time down the road.

 

Be Pleasant.  Try to view issues from the other side's point of view, even if you are negotiating a dispute that is already in the courtroom.  Always search for the win/win solution.  Seek a resolution that works out well for all parties.

 

It is unusual to find a true win/win solution, but you might find something in between.  Most business negotiations involve a lot of different points.  Determine which points are most important to each party and use these as a basis for a compromise that is favorable to all parties.