Commentators on professional boxing often say one of two things when they are commentating on an up-and-coming professional boxer. Either:
- “Boy, you can really see the amateur pedigree in this boxer” or
- “What he’s doing there, that’s part of the amateur style that he needs to drop for the professional ranks”.
What do these commentators on professional boxing mean by this? A pal of mine asked the question so I thought I would fumble around and try to come up with an answer.
Amateur boxing is the basis of professional boxing. Amateur boxing instills the solid basics of the skills, the boxing stance, the clean straight shots, precise and powerful hooks and uppercuts. All of these things are taught by amateur boxing coaches in the community gyms all around the world.
In short, if you don’t have amateur boxing, then you don’t get the quality being fed into the professional boxing ranks.
When amateur boxers get good enough, or should I say if amateur boxers get good enough, they compete at international level, representing their country in competitions all around the world.
They face off against varied and complex boxing styles, and tough, seasoned operators from the 4 corners of the globe.
This is a huge learning experience. International amateur boxers learn not only to apply strategies and tactics to deal with this styles, but they also develop mental strength and adaptability to fight maybe four times over five days.
It’s tough, extremely tough, and this for me defines that ‘pedigree’ to which the commentators on professional boxing refer.
So what about the liabilities? What aspects of amateur boxing need to be left behind when a boxer turns over to become a professional boxer?
To me, it’s some simple things:
- Professional boxing becomes a much more power-based activity – power over mobility.
- Relating to point 1, a boxer becomes less foot mobile and uses more upper body movement for defensive (and offensive) work.
- Intensity – amateur boxing matches can be frantic, frenetic and intense. In professional boxing, energy management for the longer duration of the fight is key.
- Tactics – there are a whole set of different tactics that professional boxers need to adopt, many of which are simply not allowed or tolerated in the amateur ring.
It’s a big change for a person when they shift from amateur boxing to professional boxing, they are very different worlds…but it’s a hell of a journey.
Cheers
Fran
by 
Excellent observations Fran.
I would have liked to hear you mention some of the things that are accepted in the professional game that would have you warned or eventually disqualified in the amateur code. (Probably would have made this a very long video)
On a different tack, I often hear the uninitiated, refer to amateur boxers as somewhat a lesser breed than professional boxers.
As you know too well, unlike other professional sports that you have to be very good at to become a professional in that sport, boxing however is possibly the only sport that you can become a professional in, and not be a particularly good boxer.
Usually, anyone who can pass a ring test, show reasonable fitness and pass a medical and brain scan can register with The BBBoC and become a professional boxer.
Young boxers, and the public in general, are often not aware that boxers who become professional often make very little money, and usually have to sell enough tickets to pay their opponents wages before they make a penny for themselves. The alternative, in UK anyway, is to become a successful GB Podium boxer, then hopefully one of the big promoters will give you a “deal” if you turn professional with them.
The term Amateur and Professional in the sport of boxing can be confusing. I know some amateurs who are far better boxers than a lot of pro boxers they just don’t want to turn professional.
Of course this is something you know Fran, I’m certainly not giving egg sucking lessons.
Keep up the good work always a pleasure to hear your views and view your videos.
Hello Steve
Nice to hear from you and thank you for taking the time to leave a contribution. What an excellent viewpoint. On your first observation, the waist bend is the classic one for me. I had a kid DQ’d in 2019 champs through repeated waist bends. Not something I’d coached him obviously, but a bad habit, and I was totally powerless as it unfolded in the ring. Mayweather waist bends all the time! Another one is correct punching – never seen a warning for incorrect punching in the pros :-). The list goes on, I should cover it another vid as you say!
On the quality threshold – bingo. Even worse now with white-collar or “semi-pro/unlicensed”. Few years ago I watched a ‘hot prospect’ from the white collar scene (no amateur coaching whatsoever) get carried by a good quality journeyman…he was a good ticket seller in the Southport area, it was appalling. But yes, it’s an excellent point, people assume professional = high quality…and the same with corner work, we’ve all seem some questionable corner work expecially on small hall pro bills.
So yes, give me top level amateurs every day of the week ahead of many pro fights.
On a final note, we are likely to see an impact of the pandemic being young boxers turning over to the pro ranks far too soon, missing out on that ‘pedigree development’. Potentially good prospects being ruined in the shark tank of early professional life for the vast majority of boxers.
Great contribution Steve, thank you so much, opened my eyes on a couple of things there 👍
Dear Fran I think a good career in amateur boxing is essential then go pro and get ready for sly head Utts shoves thumbs in the eye arm breaks that look like kind off mayweathet defences being talked to with obscene words eye balled out myself I’m just an old war horse the Booz women and drugs stopped me in my tracks and crime but now at 57 yrs old om elevan years clean a day at a time and love boxing for fitness I’m not bad for a golden older but these kids are to fast to skill full to fit but Fran I’ll still give em all a run for there money great coach your an inspiration to me Fran you move well good boxing brain I got loads to leArn of you much respect Stewart
Hello Stewart. First off, congratulations on 11 years clean – what an achievement pal. You never lose the magic Stewart, so keep that love for the game and the training and you’ll continue to go from strength to strength!!! Really appreciate you writing pal, thank you.