Expert: Jack Rose - 6/12/2007

Question
Hi,  

I have heard that some female boxers will skip fighting amateur and go straight to pro.  Is this common?  

Also, although I know there is a huge range, how much can pro female boxers make in their first couple of years?  How are these amounts decided, and where does the money come from?

Thanks!!

Answer
Hi Court, It is true that many female boxers jump to pro quick. That is because there are not a lot of venues that have female bouts in amateurs. Only the very big shows have female bouts like the nationals and the world championships. Your first couple of years you will not make much. You need to build a record and be sure you possess some power. Pro spectators like action, they are not so much interested in a technical boxer as they are somebody getting knocked thru the ropes onto the scores table. As a female you will need to get into the top 5 in your division to make any good money. You must make a name for yourself by doing something unique. Maybe you knock people out of you have fast hands but you need something that sets you aside from the pack. If you asked the average boxing fan to name 3 female boxers they would say "kristi martin, leyla ali and that other girl that was in playboy".... martin knocked people out - ali id mahammid's daughter - and the last one did a playboy spread.... see what I mean, they all had some way to market themselves....
the average female boxer makes less than 5K a year until she gets into the top 5...she then might make 10 or 20K if she is a name....  only when you fight for a title will you break into 40 or 50.... the money comes from the promoter, tv possibilities and ticket sales... at first you are guaranteed an amount before the fight which you get win or lose...if you fight for a title, you get the guarantee, plus some ticket sales plus some tv money (PPV is the big bucks)....

best of luck,

jackson