I am a boxing manager: if you have questions about the boxing biz, ask!

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by ezzard_charles

Lots of people often talk about promoters taking cuts out of the fighters purses, whilst some people say the promoters make their money exclusively on profits after all expenses are paid. So do promoters actually take cuts of the fighters purses? If so, what percentage is this cut? And do they take cuts out of all the fighters purses or just the main event/big name fighters?

The only time a promoter can legally take a cut is when the fighter, who is promoted by "A", fights on another promoters card, let's say "B". Promoter "A", will receive 20-25% of a fighters purse. This percentage is stated clearly in any promotional agreement you sign.
Think of a promoter as an employer whose employee the fighter, is given a set salary. The promoter sets what the fighter gets, at the end of the day the fighter gets what he has been promised in full. To give you a real life scenario, HBO, paid Paciquao's promoter at the time 750k he was fighting Barrera at that time. Pac's promoter paid Pac 300k, out of the 750k, which was his legal right to do. Pac as most fighters doesn't know how much is on the table. It happens all the time, and in the UFC all the time for sure.

[Thracian]

Doesn't the Ali act stipulate a fighter must know how much TV money is on the table?

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by Thracian

Doesn't the Ali act stipulate a fighter must know how much TV money is on the table?

Yes but when you are at that level you already know thats part of the revenue pie. The one's who are taken for a ride are the fighters who have a smalltime promoter and who co-promote with a major. In those cases the fighter with the smalltime promoter, has already done a deal with his promoter accepting the fight and the terms. So in reality knowing the revenue does him no good, cos his promoter already made the deal with the major.

[thehawk]

Interesting stuff man. So effectively the fighter employs the manager who negotiates pay with the promoters for them? Isn't that potential for trouble, based on the discretion of the manager and his 'connections'? What is the standard percentage that a manager takes?

Also do many fighters sign exclusively to a promoter or only the elite guys? Does the roles of promoter/ manager get blurred often. like when pacquiao and other fighters always says he will do what his promoter says shouldn't he mean managers or advisers.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by thehawk

Interesting stuff man. So effectively the fighter employs the manager who negotiates pay with the promoters for them? Isn't that potential for trouble, based on the discretion of the manager and his 'connections'? What is the standard percentage that a manager takes?

Also do many fighters sign exclusively to a promoter or only the elite guys? Does the roles of promoter/ manager get blurred often. like when pacquiao and other fighters always says he will do what his promoter says shouldn't he mean managers or advisers.

Yes the fighter is in essence the managers employer. You are right about potential trouble, and it happens but usually it's the "B" side of a card, the "A" side or the housefighter knows the deal, the "B" side fighter is clueless he's just happy to be at the dance.
Housefighter gets 75k his opponent is offered 50k to the manager, the manager, is looking to cash in, he figures, my guy has no chance, I am gonna get mine, and so he tells the fighter they offered me 25, I fought like hell but they wouldn't give me a cent more. Does it happens yes it does, should it happen, no it shouldn't.
I believe in an open book, the fighter should know the good, the bad and the ugly cos afterall its their lives and health on the line, any decisions made affect him, so I believe he should be included in the process.
The standard % by law is 33 1/3. I make do with 10%.
The major promoters sign guys based on their amateur credentials, also depends on who brings the fighter to the promoter. Remember a major promoter has guys calling them day and night saying they have the next big thing. So they tend to shy away from newbie's
Yes you are right about blurred lines, a very well known promoter really doesn't like dealing with managers. Pac has an advisor who Arum sits with and makes the deal, you dont mess with your golden goose. A smart promoter doesn't look to screw his fighters he wants to keep his fighters as happy as possible especially one like Pac.

[ezzard_charles]

I know you're a manager but do you know much about boxing promotion. Like how does co-promotion work for big time promoters? For example how the expenses and revenue are shared, or anything else that you have to share on co-promotion.
Also I saw a video of Bob Arum claiming boxing promoters pay out over 80% of the revenue to the fighters. Would you say this is a accurate figure?

[withoutwire]

The klitschkos have the right idea, they seem to manage a lot of their finances themselves. I know Bernd Boente is involved, but he's def not ripping them off. But of course they are heavyweight champions so its easy for them to dictate now, not so when they were climbing the ladder.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by ezzard_charles

I know you're a manager but do you know much about boxing promotion. Like how does co-promotion work for big time promoters? For example how the expenses and revenue are shared, or anything else that you have to share on co-promotion.
Also I saw a video of Bob Arum claiming boxing promoters pay out over 80% of the revenue to the fighters. Would you say this is a accurate figure?

If you manage its best to know how the other side works. Depends on the fighter and the promoter. The way it usually works is a local smalltime promoter signs a local fighter to a promotional deal. The lead promoter is looking for a suitable opponent, for the house fighter. He calls the smalltime promoter and offers him a deal. The smalltime promoter then makes the fighter an offer, usually much more then the fighter has ever made, the fighter accepts what smalltime offered. To be fair the promoters have a right to make money on the deal, the only question is how much.
That 80% is a true figure. Only the best guys, Pac, Mayweather get that type of deal. What that means is that the fighter gets 80% of all revenue, but on the other he is also responsible for his share of the expenses. So he gets to have his say on who is on his cards. For example Pac can say no to Donaire fighting on his cards, the reason is that Pac is paying and as much as he may love Nonito, he loves his money more. Donaire's fight would cost almost a million to make. Thats why you see shitty undercard fights on major PPV cards.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by withoutwire

The klitschkos have the right idea, they seem to manage a lot of their finances themselves. I know Bernd Boente is involved, but he's def not ripping them off. But of course they are heavyweight champions so its easy for them to dictate now, not so when they were climbing the ladder.

They have K2 promotions and yes the Klitschko's do have the right idea, but it's rare. Fighters at that level are very involved in the decision making process, cos more then likely they are partners in the promotion. No matter how big any fighter gets he still needs a major promoter to do the legwork who has the people in place to do a huge promotion. Mayweather hires Goldenboy to do the shows, they get paid a fee or a small %.

[ezzard_charles]

Originally Posted by dempsey1234

If you manage its best to know how the other side works. Depends on the fighter and the promoter. The way it usually works is a local smalltime promoter signs a local fighter to a promotional deal. The lead promoter is looking for a suitable opponent, for the house fighter. He calls the smalltime promoter and offers him a deal. The smalltime promoter then makes the fighter an offer, usually much more then the fighter has ever made, the fighter accepts what smalltime offered. To be fair the promoters have a right to make money on the deal, the only question is how much.
That 80% is a true figure. Only the best guys, Pac, Mayweather get that type of deal. What that means is that the fighter gets 80% of all revenue, but on the other he is also responsible for his share of the expenses. So he gets to have his say on who is on his cards. For example Pac can say no to Donaire fighting on his cards, the reason is that Pac is paying and as much as he may love Nonito, he loves his money more. Donaire's fight would cost almost a million to make. Thats why you see shitty undercard fights on major PPV cards.

Thanks for the info man, I really appreciate it

[Ricky42791]

How does a fighter go about turning pro? step by step sorry if the question is too vague my coaches know how to turn amateurs pro obviously but I dont know exactly the process. Could you describe this to me?

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by Ricky42791

How does a fighter go about turning pro? step by step sorry if the question is too vague my coaches know how to turn amateurs pro obviously but I dont know exactly the process. Could you describe this to me?

First off are you ready to turn pro? Why do you want to turn pro? You don't want to rush into something you are not ready for.
You dont have to tell me your name or where you are from. I have a few questions which would give me insight into your specific situation.
Your experience, look it dont matter if you lost a bunch of fights as an amateur, they dont count. Amateurs usually favors one style, a featherdusting boxing style over a hard puncher or someone who has a pro style, or that they dont count body shots, the robberies are many in the amateurs.

[dempsey1234]

Ricky, I saw an old vid of you sparring, do you have any more recent one? How old are you? Depends on where you are get some pro sparring. Look I dont want you to get into trouble some coaches dont like interference in any way shape or form. Some coaches I find want to maintain control, so be careful.

[dealt_with]

Originally Posted by dempsey1234

First off are you ready to turn pro? Why do you want to turn pro? You don't want to rush into something you are not ready for.
You dont have to tell me your name or where you are from. I have a few questions which would give me insight into your specific situation.
Your experience, look it dont matter if you lost a bunch of fights as an amateur, they dont count. Amateurs usually favors one style, a featherdusting boxing style over a hard puncher or someone who has a pro style, or that they dont count body shots, the robberies are many in the amateurs.

Amateurs in the USA that is, everywhere else in the world amateurs punch hard and throw body shots. Hence why USA boxers fail miserably on the world amateur stage.

[dempsey1234]

Originally Posted by dealt_with

Amateurs in the USA that is, everywhere else in the world amateurs punch hard and throw body shots. Hence why USA boxers fail miserably on the world amateur stage.

ok