Expert: Alan Kahn - 3/2/2008

Question
dear Alan

can you please tell me how to get from amateur to pro boxing in the UK because i think its different in the us. also how can i get a manager to help me because im only an amateur boxer with not a lot of experience are there any aplications i have to make or people i have to contact in order to turn pro.

thanks for your time

jimmy

Answer
Hi Jimmy,

Greetings to you across the pond!.  Hope it's a great day for ya.

To be honest, I know little about the policies, politics or methods of control for Boxing in the UK. But I did a little research on the subject, so maybe we both learned a thing a two!

In the UK, professional boxing is controlled by the "British Boxing Board of Control"
http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&...

and here is a link to their website. (notice the contact page and "documentation" sections")  

http://www.bbbofc.com/

and a few others (note this listing has amatuer also)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Boxing_Board_of_Control

Amatuer boxing assoc of UK info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_Boxing_Association

British Amatuer boxing website
http://www.abae.co.uk/


I often find the best source of information is to get with the boxers themselves, - ONLINE.  Here are a few British Boxing Forums

http://www.abae.co.uk/forum/index.asp

http://boxing-forum.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php

http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/    (many UK members here)

I don't know the exact process for the UK, but I imagine there are many boxers on those forums, or contacts at the BBBofC that could set you in the right direction.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I would suggest you get a "legitimate" manager or trainer as fast as possible. By legitimate, I mean one that actually works with competitive boxers in the UK that train in legitimate boxing locations and compete in the properly sanctioned tournaments at the local, regional and state or country level. I'm sure many of the other boxers on those forums that compete can give you more specifics than I, because I am woefully unfamiliar with how the amatuers are developed in Britain also. But I do know that YOU CAN DO IT, with the proper guidance, trainers and dedication.

I hope this has helped you in some way. Good luck and all my best to your boxing career. Who knows. Maybe we'll see you fighting over here in a big time Las Vegas Championship Bout!  

Sincerely,

Alan Kahn
author, The Speed Bag Bible
http://www.youtube.com/speedbag1