With the advent of WSB and APB, how do we differentiate traditional pro boxing, from what we traditionally called amateur boxing...but which is now professional. Think I heard one commentator say that the AIBA wants it to be referred to as "Olympic style boxing" Thoughts?
If you're mentally disabled you will call amateur Boxing "running". Realistically however, amateur boxing is where fighters learn the basics in the sport and apply it at the highest level. The basics being movement, defense, hitting and not getting hit...etc. Professional boxing is a completely different league that involves both the basics and styles fighters come up with themselves and apply at their own comfort. Seeing how the major leagues in professional boxing involves 10 and 12 rounders, the strategies and general abilities change. There's a reason one of the greatest fighters ever in both professional and amateur boxing, Pernell Whitaker, said that his biggest accomplishment is the Olympic Gold Medal above everything else.
OK, but thats not really my question. My point is that at the high end, theres no such thing as "amateur boxing" anymore. The top guys you see in the olympics are all full professional boxers. And its not like before when amateur boxers were professional in all but name. Nowaday, they're unabashedly open about the fact that they're professional. Essentially the line between "amateur" and "professional" is gone
If you get paid a purse for each fight and the bout is recognised by the BBBC or similar boxing org, you are a professional boxer. If you don't you're amateur (or competing in white collar/unlicensed). It really is that simple.
In which case they arent professional. Do I agree? Absolutely not. The very fact that they receive a purse clearly indicates that they are indeed professional boxers and I am in agreement with you big fella. The problem is Im not in charge of any pro boards of control. As you rightly point out, the worried promoters pack more than sufficient clout to persuade the pro boxing orgs to maintain their current stance.
OK then, so the APB and WSB are professional then? The AIBA is its own boxing board and its now professional. They dont need the sanctioning bodies or the likes of the BBBoc etc to legitimise them. So do we stop referring to the guys in the olympics as amateur? Fighters will no longer be "turning" professional, they'll simply be moving between different professional organisations.
:yep:thumbsup A very realistic an alysis and a great read to be fair. I am all for anything that assists boxers' development and lines their pockets, even if it could leave the current ranking system (which is a joke now tbh) completely obsolete. What about you big fella, are you fighting in AIBA/WSB? And if not yet, is that the route you favour as opposed to the traditional route?
The AIBA doesnt need them anymore. The AIBA has set up its own professional ranks, and no longer needs the likes of the BBBoC or other bodies to legitimise them. The old system appears to be dead and gone. Its a new world
In a way, they seem to be trying to do what Haymon is doing. Trying to monopolise all the fighters under one UFC style heading In years to come you may have 2 major powers in pro boxing. AIBA and Haymon, if they get their way. I dont think the AIBA has the pockets to keep the best talents though
Jackpot!! This is the thing, isn't it? For all of its great intentions and plans, AIBAs progress will depend on just how much money they can offer their finest talents. As you guys know, boxing is a brutal business and every fighter is entitled to make as much money as they can. I like the UFC reference to, as of now this kind of reminds me of UFC/BELLATOR in that the elite (Mayweather etc) fight in the WBA (etc) world of huge ppv events, massive promoters (Haymon) and the next generation (or maybe in future fighters who maybe didnt quite make it to their desired level) of fighters fight in AIBA/WSB.
I think this year we have seen Haymon make tough fights for his fighters. Quillin-Lee Peterson-Garcia Porter-Broner Vanes-Charlo Russell-Gonzalez Kameda-Mcdonnell Mayweather-Pacquiao Are all good solid fights. Theres no point Haymon worrying about his fighters losing anymore as they tend to be fighting each other, which means that one of them has to lose. As for AIBAs money, I really dont see the revenue stream that traditional pro boxing has which huge scale TV deals,PPV and general knowledge among the population. I watched some WSB fights and they tended to be fought in town halls for the most part. Some of the best "amateurs" are still going "pro" Either way,its going to be interesting how it all winds up. I think at some stage it will all have to blend together. People are tired of boxing being so fragmented, whether it be sanctioning bodies or promoters and managers. In the end, someone has to win out and bring it all together.
Let us hope AIBA can remain free of the corruption that has blighted the older system. If it can then it coukd succeed. The problem, is where does the money come from for them to keep hold of their finest talents? Its a double edged sword. They need the big money that influential backers bring to keep tbe finest talents under their banner.. But with money comes influence and the possibility of corruption.