how prevalent is this ? Both frank and Eddie have their preferred trainers which they get their fighters to use. Is it contractural that they have to switch to those trainers ? And what’s the reason for it ? The cynic in me says it’s to control the boxer with their trainer acting as their eyes and ears. It may explain why certain trainers with little experience or not a great track record keep getting gold carrot prospects over and over.
There is certainly a degree of promoters having favoured trainers and I also think that there is an element of "jobs for the boys" concerned in certain promoters funneling the fighters to their favoured trainers. Maybe Billy Nelson could offer some input here if he's still reading this forum as I was always under the impression that he was a victim of this when Ricky burns moved to Sims under the nudges of Eddie hearn. It's a difficult one to give a straight answer on cos in one hand, how does a trainer progress if he's losing fighters to preferred trainers of certain promoters and on the other hand, if a fighter gets the opportunity to shift to a trainer who's "well in" with a certain promoter, this also gives the fighter a stronger sense of security. There no trainer contracts in the bbbc but I suppose that doesn't stop trainers drawing up their ownn legal contracts that at least has a standing in a claims court as I can't see it been a nice experience to put years of training into a fighter especially when they were coming through the ranks, and any money received out of the fighters purse wouldn't even cover expenses and hours incurred, it can't be nice to put all that work in to have to lose the fighter just because ur not as pally with certain promoters as specific trainers.
Good response. It just seems all rather suspect to me. How good really are the likes of Caldwell ? Or are they just licking the right arses.
Saw yesterday that Lerrone Richards has switched from Al Smith, who’s well in with QP, over to Caldwell, who’s well in with Matchroom. Don’t know how many fights Richards has left on his agreement with QP but it’ll be interesting to see how that situation plays out
Coldwell has definatly furthered his career by licking the right arses I would say. His connection to MR is a major factor why fighters would choose him as a trainer. I've never really studied him as a trainer but some technical aspects that I've noticed of his fighters, is that non of them can slip correctly. The Sims are well connected to Eddie and apart from their gym been sponsored by MR one of their wives has a beauty /hairdressers business in partnership with Eddies wife or at least they did about 5yr ago. There's definatly an element of favoured trainers which in turn can hinder the development of trainers who are not in with the right promoters !
It would be a major gut punch if you had your star pupil nicked once they were getting to the big time. especially by some arse licking nepotist.
After a couple of Ingle fighters left allegedly, almost in retaliation, Penfold was gifted a new boxing ring, Ryan Rhodes and Kell Brook. After Penfold switched to Hayemaker, allegedly demanded the return of his ring and Kell swiftly returned to Wincobank. After Penfold fell out with them he became Matchroom's mascot and holds the hands of some famous boxers on the ringwalk
Ultimately it is the Fighter that picks who trains him. Joe Calzaghe and Richie Woodhall stuck with their respective Dads in the face of pressure to go with more recognized professional trainers like George Francis or Jimmy Tibbs. There are a lot of factors involved in choosing a trainer but a major one is the availability of good sparring. High profile trainers tend to have good access to spar mates either with other lads already in their gym or through strong networking. More than often, a promoter or manager just wants to know their investment is in good hands.
