Boxing as a full-time job

Rendall Munroe fought for a world title a couple of weeks ago, he is a fulltime binman.

 

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Now that's a hard and nasty job most of the time. You're in the elements daily, moving around things that can, at times, be close to your weight.

I remember a newspaper reporter in our city that decided he wanted to give working on a garbage truck a shot for a few days just to see what it entailed. He didn't make it for a day before he quit and wrote his column about how demanding it was physically and his newfound respect for that profession. Dumb ass did this in the middle of the summer and our temperatures average upper 90's with humidity to match daily.

Things have gotten better for them now. All households have the large bins that roll and there are 2 hydraulic lifts on the back of the truck that pick the bins up and empty them into the compactor. They still have to get them to and from the curb by hand but they at least now roll easily.

 

How much more do undefeated prospects make that have a promoter, than the ones without?

I know a few prospects and all they do is train and fight. I have no idea how they get by.

 

HArd. I know a kid, yes a kid who went pro from 14 years old onward. Grew up in Congo had nothing going for him, walk across a barren stretch of land a few kms before reaching his gym only to get a free ride on the bus home. Decided to join the boxing team and travelled the world to do fights... only gave him a bed and his daily bread and butter. No income. He told me how tough it is to go pro in todays world and try how many times but you still dont get into vegas without knowing the right people. Most managers worldwide basically rip you off again and again. Dont get me wrong. I have watched him fight and he is beast, not man. He's got ridiculous skills that a professional would have earned only after being in the game for sixteen years. Thats life for him. Talent without a scrupulous manager. So he's still poor, that's reality. Pro boxing... its another fantasy but if you're prepared to put up with poverty to pursue it, it might be worthwhile. just like everything else, luck over talent is a major element.

 

I missed my shot at turning pro due to being in the army and them not allowing me to do it. At the time i wanted to turn pro (22) i was boxing for the army, and this figured in their decision a lot. By the time i came out of the army, with a young family to support and having to work etc, it just never happened for me, and at 36 there's no point now. Ive fought unlicensed a couple of times, and also had a few fights in the gypsy/traveller community (long story) but defintately regret not going pro.

I feel treating boxing as a full time job is the only way to go if your serious about giving it a proper go. Its a hard sport to succeed in and focus needs to be as close to 100% as possible. Finding the right gym/trainer etc is also crucial obviously, but yeah definately a full time job. ive known quite a few pro's who view fighting as a way to supplement their day to day job pay, and they rarely rise above domestic level.

 

My thoughts are i like ur attitude...but to answer the original question...what the heck are u gonna do all day before you hit the gym anyway? do some work mofo! even world champs do work and other things just for the heck of it

 

So what did you end up doing then? I can see that this was a very long time ago and nowadays sponsorship's come along much easier so it is quite possible to do boxing full time at the beginning of the professional career. I'm 22 and turning professional at the end of this year. I'm currently due to complete my apprenticeship and have no secured job at the end of it and i am seriously considering either going part time, or just go all out and do boxing full time. I have guaranteed two sponsorship's already so it could be very possible. What do you/ you guys think?

 

If you can put full time work into it, you'll definitely have an edge.
Just know there are risks, and it'll take years to see return on your investment, if any.

 

I know a guy that does well. He is 14-7 but all his losses are to undefeated fighters . He is always the visitor, always 2 weeks or less notice, and most of the fights are close. He makes 40 grand a year.
That is more than many prospects make. It is not uncommon for the "opponent " to make more than the prospect in the 6, 8 round fights, even tens, if the opponent is a guy that goes rounds.

 

What country is that...?