are you a trainer or do you want to be a trainer? Read my pledge!

[thealfa]

are there any boxer trainers or willing to get their license to become a trainer in the Chicago area?

I now realized that it takes a special person to take a chance with a fighter (more likely amateur where there is no money involved until you turn pro). I do not train in a "commercial" boxing gym where you pay ridiculous monthly fees, maybe more with a "personal trainer". I train at park districts for $30 for 12 weeks. This is usually for inner city kids/young adults. I've trained with a couple trainers who DO NOT know where the amateur bouts are. I called USA Boxing for my area, I have not gotten a message. Looks like a dead scene. Someone mentioned amateur fights come once a week, every week. Maybe if you're talking about all over the U.S., but not all over my state or my city. The next one for Chicago comes in January 2010 or so I heard. The trainers in these park district boxing gyms are employee/trainer to these park district gyms, they could care less about taking an amateur fighter to amateur fights, since there is no money in it. This is not part of their job. Like I said it takes a special trainer/person to take an amateur fighter to amateur fights and to the pros, I think this rarely happens anymore, unless your dad or uncle got you started in boxing and were the ones to take you to the fights (Mosley, Mayweather, their dads/uncles etc.) I've dealt with trainers who sat around looking for some kind of pay, whether it's gas/or time money. Taking someone to the amateur fights takes time with driving around the state, maybe even out of state. I've got would-be managers lined up once I turn pro, they know promoters. Like I said it takes a special person who has faith in an amateur, up-and-coming fighter to take to the amateur bouts, which costs time and money. The money comes in once the fighter turns pro.

So here's a pledge to you old men, get your boxing trainer's license, make sure it's from your state athletic boxing commission, make sure you contact USA boxing so that way you can be a legitimate trainer and be in sanctioned USA Boxing amateur bouts (the only thing that counts as your record), go to boxing gyms, you will see lots of kids/young adults waiting for THEIR Cus D'Amato, talk to them what they wanna do, don't give money or free handouts, just make sure you know that this will take time and time is money plus gas. Park District fights DO NOT COUNT! Only sanctioned USA Boxing amateur fights count! Ask your local USA Boxing commissioner how many fights must an amateur have before turning pro. In Illinois, it's about 20 fights.

Come on, old man!

[rskumm21]

So let me get this straight... You have yet to have an amateur fight, but you already have promoters lined up? And heres a news flash;It takes more than a license to make a good trainer, and if your serious about the fight game do some research. Chicago has a pretty decent fight scene. Check out Chicagoboxingclub or any of the other 30+ boxing gyms, to get set up in a bout. Also the parks district has a tournament every year, as well as the Chicago Golden Gloves.

[thealfa]

See you're the only one that replied. The others here are bums. I got a would-be manager looking out for me, he knows promoters. No manager can sign you to a contract in the amateurs, that's why I said "would-be" once I turn pro.

I know that it takes more than a license to make a good trainer. Then again, it's also up to the fighter, no one can hold a fighter's hand in the ring, but himself. Fighters do the fighting, trainers look at you if you're doing it right. Kevin Rooney who trained Mike Tyson also had a fighter in the lighter division. This fighter moves like Tyson, but he is not Mike Tyson. I don't know what his record is or what his name is, he must be a has-been by now. It's not the trainer, it's the fighter! Even on TV fights, I've seen horrible trainers tell their fighters what to do or what not to do, we're all humans. Just because you have the label "trainer" don't mean shit, don't mean you're a God. I've seen horrible fights on TV and wondered why is it on TV? The guy ran for several rounds. Physically ran, not literally ran like Mayweather. There are horrible fights out there that have been shown on TV, makes you wonder how they got there? They know people. Plain and simple.

Oh you have to have managers/promoters lined-up if you want to be handled on the right path. lots of big names out there already knew this guy or that guy in the boxing game. Jameel McCline already knew Don King before he was a pro, didn't he? He was a big guy, limited amateur career. These days all you need is to be big in the heavyweights, no need for skills, just big lucky punch! AKA Chris Areolla.

Again I called the guy from USA Boxing, left him a message, never got back to me. Only USA Boxing amateur bouts count as an amateur record as it is sanctioned, nothing else counts. Yeah I saw the fight on the park District I train at. I Didn't get in the fight, it does not count as an amateur record, so I passed on it. Once a year just sucks.

Like I said, there arent' that many old men these days who want to be trainers, too much time and gas money involved, but thanks for being the only and first person to reply. There's only a handful of people out there willing to take chances and risks.

Originally Posted by rskumm21

So let me get this straight... You have yet to have an amateur fight, but you already have promoters lined up? And heres a news flash;It takes more than a license to make a good trainer, and if your serious about the fight game do some research. Chicago has a pretty decent fight scene. Check out Chicagoboxingclub or any of the other 30+ boxing gyms, to get set up in a bout. Also the parks district has a tournament every year, as well as the Chicago Golden Gloves.

[thealfa]

there's a reason why cruiserweight Kelvin Davis' trainer is his brother, they both are young guys. They trust each other, Kelvin needed a licensed trainer to take him to the fights. experience is not all that. A good lucky KO punch will KO anyone with years of experience. Here's the thing at the Park District fight I saw, there was a guy there that didn't have the guy who trains him in this fight because he didn't have a license as a trainer, so MY trainer took over on his corner just for this fight. It's all about having a license, take someone to the fights, which cost time and money, and get the records rolling. Cus D'Amato moved Tyson quick. He might have gotten a young Teddy Atlas his license so he can be the one to take Tyson to these fights. You gotta accumalate that record so you can turn pro ASAP. Like I said there's a lack of these right now. Lots of trainers care less about amateur fighters and worry more about training pros so they can make money. There is no money in amateurs that's why no one does it anymore to be a trainer. It takes a special person to do it for free, I wish I had my brother here so he can get his trainer license. I've seen kids in gyms who has questions on how to get the fights, where the fights are, and they need people to take them to the fights. It's all about who you know these days. My would-be manager said don't worry about not getting in that park district fight, IT DOES NOT COUNT.

Are you a fighter or trainer?

[thealfa]

"my trainer" meaning the guy who trains people at the park district, including myself. He isn't strictly for me. Like what my open thread discussed, I think we need more one on one trainer/fighter chivalry. I have a car, I pay for EVERYTHING for myself to get to the gym. Just needs a one on one licensed trainer to get the ball rolling a lot faster.

[TheTruthIs]

uhhhh, good luck?

[rskumm21]

Wow; Sounds like you know what you're talking about... Good luck...

[RightHooker]

thealfa, how old are you and how long have you been boxing for? (and by that I mean boxing for real in an actual gym with sparring etc and not just shadow boxing and hitting a heavy bag at home).

How many fights do you have? Doesn't matter if they 'count' or not, if they're USA boxing ones or other. How many times have you been in the ring against an opponent, with a referee and judges?

Also, not smart to skip a fight just because it doesn't count towards your official total. A fight is a fight, and you should try and get as much experience as you can.

[thealfa]

ok and you are? tell me your stories...

Originally Posted by rskumm21

Wow; Sounds like you know what you're talking about... Good luck...

[thealfa]

Originally Posted by TheTruthIs

uhhhh, good luck?