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The Ideal Mind Set of a Boxing Manager

Guest contribution by Paul Stuart Haberman

It may be popularly known as the “Sweet Science,” but professional boxing can be a sour experience for many of its athletes that are not at the very top of their weight class or are not big draws on a local, regional, national, or international level. This reality is lost, however, on many of the proud athletes of the sport who think that a couple of early professional wins or a case full of amateur titles necessarily translates into hefty purses, lucrative promotional agreements, and widely viewed, heavily compensated television dates. The boxers start to think that prospective managers are not offering them enough and present management is not doing enough to move them up the ladder, no matter where they really stand. Indeed, when dealing with the egos of professional boxers as a manager, it is important to keep yourself focused on what needs to be done to get your boxer his taste of glory, no matter how much he complains day in and day out. Between the unscrupulous people that a manager deals with in professional boxing, and the attitudes of his boxers, one really needs a love of the sport and a zest for the excitement of fight night to keep their poise and focus at all times. With that mind, here are several important items to remember at all times as a prospective or current manager of a professional boxer:

  1. Be 100% Certain That Your Written Management Agreement Defines ALL of Your Responsibilities as a Manager. For example, if the agreement does not call for you to provide money to your boxer, do not get lulled into providing money to your boxer because he complains that other boxers are getting money from their managers, etc. Because boxers will try to get a lot more out of you than you might be entitled to, make sure that you do not negotiate the management agreement just with them, but perhaps also with their trainer, a relative, or a trusted friend of theirs present so everyone understands their responsibilities and obligations.
  2. Familiarize Yourself With The Economics of Boxing. If you do your research and can cite to good authority when your boxer complains that he should be getting more money on a regional television show or a non-televised major undercard, you are in a better position to stand your ground than if he has someone else that has information that readily contradicts yours. Ask other managers and promoters how much you should expect, read articles on what boxers in similar situations have received, contact your state or tribal nation’s athletic commissions for redacted copies of similar fight contracts.
  3. Keep Your Eyes Open for Sponsors. The best cure for low purses may indeed be securing a sponsor or two for your boxer who pays for advertising on his trunks or robe. All of a sudden, a $2,500 purse can turn into a $4,500 purse, and your boxer is that much more financially contented between fights. Be cautioned, however, that even good managers may not be able to secure sponsors unless it’s the right boxer for a particular sponsor’s product, or a big enough show to make any sponsorship worthwhile. Sometimes it is more about a boxer selling himself in the local community than any representations that a manager can make to attract sponsors.
  4. Make Yourself a Presence. Matchmakers and promoters get dozens of tapes every week of people’s fighters. Make yourself a presence with follow up letters, e-mails, and phone calls, and you can help increase the chances that your boxer might get a break when the right opportunity comes up. There are several ways to get contact lists of people in the boxing industry. Get them.
  5. Research Your Opportunities. Don’t just sign up your boxer to any fight or promotional agreement that he is offered. Do your homework on the prospective opponents and the prospective contract terms and see if a given opportunity is worth your while. Ask yourself if this is the right time for him to be locked into a particular fight or promotional agreement. In boxing, more so than in many other sports, athletes are very prone to exploitation. If it’s worth your while, contact an attorney, such as myself, that is experienced in reviewing boxing-related contracts to make sure you understand everything that is contained within a given agreement.
  6. Create a Stable Team Around Your Boxer. I have been to several meetings of managers and trainers at the New York State Athletic Commission offices where a chief complaint is that a trainer or manager is picking another trainer or manager’s pocket and stealing their boxer away from them. The remedy: written contracts. If nothing else, a written contract will at least give yourself and your boxer’s trainer peace of mind that the boxer cannot shift their allegiance (and the purse percentages) to another manager or trainer without subjecting himself to legal action. Many times, given the money involved, the enforcement of such contracts may not be worthwhile, but at least the option is there and everyone knows it.
  7. Stay Focused on Getting the Best for Your Boxer. Do not be sidetracked by your boxer’s unreasonable expectations, but do everything within your power to see that your boxer can maximize his potential. Be able to say to yourself at the end of the day that you have done everything you can honestly do for your boxer’s career. If there reaches a point where you feel you cannot take him any further alone, be honest with yourself and seek the assistance of a co-manager that may be able to fill a gap in your services to him.
  8. Stand Your Ground with Your Boxer. If your boxer threatens to leave you, do not hesitate to inform him of the legal rights and remedies that you have before he makes his decision. Do not hesitate to remind your boxer of all of the positives you have done for his career if he is prone to harping on the negatives. Appreciate that you may not be as shortsighted as your boxer is about his career, and show him the error of his thinking as need be.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any legal or management-related questions or concerns upon reading this article.

Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq.
Goldberg Segalla, LLP
[email protected]
(212) 471-4613
© 2008

By Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner created Sports Agent Blog as a New Year's Resolution on December 31, 2005. Originally titled, "I Want To Be A Sports Agent," the website was founded with the intention of causing Heitner to learn more about the profession that he wanted to join, meet reputable individuals in the space and force himself to stay on top of the latest news and trends.

Heitner now runs Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., which is a law firm with many practice areas, including sports law and contract law. Heitner has represented numerous athletes and sports agents as legal counsel. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington from 2011-2014, where he created and taught a course titled, Sport Agency Management, which included subjects ranging from NCAA regulations to athlete agent certification and the rules governing the profession. Heitner serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he teaches a Sports Law class that includes case law surrounding athlete agents and the NCAA rules.

21 replies on “The Ideal Mind Set of a Boxing Manager”

hey i was wondering if their is a site were i can get the contact details for proffesional managers promoters etc as i am a sports writer in the uk?

looking for a boxing manager or agent. anyone have any ideas on how to find
or where to go.

Aaron Day, where are you based? What is your record, weight, height, stance. I am linked with alot of boxing promoters, managers, boxing PR, lawyers too as well as pro trainers based in the UK/USA. Please email me on [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.

Hey KSD,
I am ransford I will contact you in ur email for further info coss I am also into boxing

i am 26 yrs old and im5’7in hieght and walk around at 165lbs.i live in st.louis,mo.i am registerd with the usa boxing organization as unattached.i have not had a fight yet but have fought all my life and it is my dream.and yes i know at my age i am starting very late but with my speed and power and mental advantage over others its not going to take long at all for me to go to the top.my goal is to get some amature experiance and turn pro as soon as possible,ofcourse whenever the person who is responsible for my career thinks im ready.

“IM SOMEONES DREAM COME TRUE,AND A ONE WAY TICKET TO THE TOP FOR TWO!!!

i have a great fighter,,what kind of work can i get for him while he still ,young and strong?

hello,
I am Ben Epton from Ghana.I have some strong boxers and I want to organize tournaments for them.could U give me much info on how to go about this.i also want promoters,managers,tournaments and representative.thank u.

hi everyone, i am a boxing agent and a lawyer based in Nigeria and if anyone is looking for boxers/soccer players and in other sports just call me on +2347069027902 or email :[email protected].
hope to hear from you sooon.
williams

Hi Mr. Williams my name is Lafarrell Bunting am a professional boxer. My boxing record is 16-3-1-16ko’s am fighting nov 13th in Tacoma,WA against Junior Moar from Canada. Just to let you know i am looking for sponsorship for my career to help me reach the top of the boxing world. If you google my name you’ll see my experience and knowledge also know i mean business. Hope to hear from you.

Best Regards
Lafarrell Bunting

Hi Emoni,

We are looking to sponsor national and international fighters that will travel to the US and compete for Urban Boxing DC. We are located in Washington D.C., USA. Urban Boxing DC will provide and pay for ALL expenses (e.g. visa, room and board, living, training expenses). We can work out a deal that is fair for you and our gym. Hopefully we’ll get these fighters who are looking to get in the big money fights in the big leagues a chance to make their dream come true. If you have fighters in mind who would be willing to travel to the US and compete, please let me know. I will start on the procedures. We have housing for the fighters so we are ready to move forward whenever is convenient for you. Thanks for your time in advance!

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Best,
Burak Temel
Owner
Urban Boxing DC
[email protected]
(202) 621 8131
1116 24th St. NW, DC 20037

Hi Everyone!  I am a boxing Manager who is looking for some boxers to manage! I know I am new but I need one chance to show my worth! I have a BA in accounting and I have help people manage there budgets! I know I can do this if I am give the chance so if you feel I am worth the shot please email me at [email protected] so we can talk more! 

Can you get to texas and work out of my gym? I have a few fighters that need management.

i have a good boxers but they are like 13 and 14 and 16 and they are in Egypt can they have a manger

Hello, my name is Timur! In the sport for 13 years. During this time, he managed to win 5 World Championships. Last of men from 19 to 39 years. I am honored master of sports of Ukraine. Boxing , kickboxing, K-1. Great interest has been shown to Professional boxing. Ready to give all forces for victory!I am looking for a manager, promoter!
I live in Ukraine and the Czech Republic
My email [email protected]

Hello, my name is Evangelos Giovanis. If any fighters with good records (amateur/pro) are looking for training/management, we provide an opportunity to sign you. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]

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