Expert: Jack Rose - 12/3/2009

Question
I'm 34 years old male, in good physical condition, and want to box professionally. I'm too old for amateur fighting, so can I just start out Professionally? Please, i train a little in boxing now, but i want to go to the next level and want to know if it will be a waste of time because of my age? There are fighters in boxing history who started when their were in their late twenties and early thirties, and went professional. So what is the difference now in 2009?

Answer
Tyvon,

There were guys who did it back in the day. The difference is that the strength of amateur boxing was not what it is today. So you are competing against more experienced and seasoned fighters. Back then, most guys were brawlers who just banged away and usually the hardest puncher with the best chin won.

Yes you could fight pro with no amateur background today. Whether it's the right thing to do or not depends on what your goals are. You are going to be labeled as an opponent to build contenders records right off the bat once they see you have no amateur background. That doesn't mean you can't turn it around if you beat some seasoned fighters. You won't make much money unless you beat a couple of big names or you go at least 25-0,1,2,3 something like that. It is much harder to get respect as a boxer if you have no amateur background.

If you do it, I would look at it as a hobby or part time job rather than the bread winner.

good luck