Success of your professional boxing career depends on many people supporting you. You should build a good team that will support you going forward. Here are some key people that you will need.
Simply put, Manager can make or break your boxing career. Your manager is basically your sales and marketing person that is always trying to get you in a boxing match against a decent opponent whom you have a fair chance of winning. The manager will also negotiate the fight money along with other benefits (airfare, accommodation, daily allowance, meals etc.) with the promoter. A good manager knows many international promoters and knows how to market your abilities.
1. Trainer: A trainer is someone that can teach you the foundational skills in professional boxing. A good trainer will know how to increase your strength, stamina, and agility along with drills that will achieve that effectively.
2. Coach: A coach is someone that understands your style of boxing and help you to improve particular skills that can have a major impact on your overall performance. Coaches are often much more experienced than a trainer and provides more strategic approach.
Above two roles can be the same person but it is important that you understand the different values they bring. Many boxers in the beginning of their career trains on their own, mostly due to the lack of money to hire a trainer & coach. For this reason, they often join a boxing gym or a boxing club that usually provides free training for their boxers as an investment.
You can understand them as an assistant to the trainer/coach. They handle all ancillary duties during the minute break between rounds, to ensure that the boxer’s coach can concentrate on his charge during this critical time.
The "cutman" is the specialist second who deals with cuts sustained by a boxer during a bout. His or her job is to stop any bleeding from the face or nose and also to reduce swelling around the eyes by applying cold pressure.
Typically, 3 people are allowed to support the boxer during the 1 minute breaks between the rounds. Coach, Second, and Cutman. Only 1 person can be in the ring with the boxer at any given time.
There are two main sources of income as a professional boxer. The obvious one is the fight money you get when you participate in a boxing match. The second is sponsorship money you may receive from organizations, companies, and individuals. For example, as you become famous, you may be invited to game shows, photo shoots for magazines and product endorsements. These are often arranged by your manager through his/her network.
You can gain popularity through winning against good opponents, having active social media accounts, or having certain personal qualities that stands out. Simply, the more popular you are, higher the chance that promoters will want to include you in their events.
Fight purse is what you get paid for fighting in a match. Depending on the promoter, they offer different packages which your manager will need to negotiate with the promoter. Fight purse will heavily depend on the number of rounds you fight and the size of the event.
1. 4 Rounds : 4~8 mil VND
2. 6 Rounds : 6~15 mil VND
3. 8 Rounds : 20~40 mil VND
4. 10 Rounds : 40~70 mil VND
5. 12 Rounds : 80 mil + VND
All fight contracts have the following key information. You need to read it carefully and ensure that you understand all terms and conditions of the contract.
1. Your name, ID Number
2. Name of your Manager/Trainer
3. Fight division
4. Name of your opponent
5. Fight purse
6. Penalties for breach of contract
Fight purses earned are shared between the boxer, trainer/coach, seconds and cutman. Here are typical split of profit.
1. Boxer: 50~60%
2. Manager: 20~25%
3. Trainer/Coach: 12~18%
4. Seconds: 2% or flat fee
5. Cutman: 2% or flat fee
The above sharing of income is assuming no salaries, accommodation, or stipend is offered to the boxer by the Trainer/Coach and/or the Manager. It is a common practice for a professional boxer to have other non-boxing jobs to supplement their personal income during the early stage of professional boxing career.