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.
