Page 5 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 25

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How amateur boxing matches are made
By Jorge Luis
If you have ever gone to an
amateur boxing night, you would
have seen good, evenly matched
amateur boxing contests. There
would be plenty of action, good
sportsmanship, respect and a
seemingly smooth organized
evening on the outside. However,
behind the scenes it’s often a very
different story. It can be a very
complex and chaotic process
with many hours of planning and
communication between clubs to
arrange and match bouts.
Usually amateur boxing shows
are put together by local boxing
clubs. They have to get the event
sanctioned and approved by the
Provincial and National Boxing
Associations governing amateur
boxing. The host club will begin
making phone calls and emails
concerning the show, looking to
match boxers. The boxers are
matched according to age, weight
and experience level according to
the rules of amateur boxing.
Most of the time the matching
process goes smoothly in the
beginning four-six weeks out
from the event. Other clubs want
to come to your show and they
may cut deals to invite your club
to their next show and in return
will come to your show. So the
amateur boxing coach who most
of the time is a volunteer puts in
lots of overtime hours making
phone calls and emails plus work
and training his boxers nightly
while also packing up a van load
of kids going to other events in the
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weeks before his own local event. of amateur boxing are adhered to show, the boxers are respected for
because it is their responsibility their effort, coaches shake hands
As the local event nears things to govern the safety of the match and respect is exchanged between
start to get hairy. Boxers scheduled
ups. Some coaches are upset coaches and offi cials after what
for the event get injured or have because they drove a long way and seems like a pretty smooth affair.
not trained properly or a variety of have only one match as a result of Respect is at the core because in
other things…so now your line-up
ensuing glitches. the end all involved in creating
of bouts starts to change. Come this evening: coaches, boxers,
fight week the local host hopes Most of the time it all comes announcers, officials and so on
to have double the bouts booked together and now the boxers must
are all volunteers who willingly
that he/she needs. Why? Because pass a medical with a licensed and freely give of their time. In
bouts start to drop, illness, medical doctor on scene. The the end it is about helping young
injuries, other commitments and doctor ensures the boxer is people and being part of a great
priorities interfere. Back in the medically sound and will then sport we love.
70’s and 80’s you could match stay at ringside throughout the We need each other no matter
Johnny Boxer against Joe Boxer evening of the event to examine how small a role we play. So to
a month or two ahead of time, the boxers after every bout. Now the average fan it is not all that
put their names and pictures on the matches are set and done and meets the eye. In all my years I
a poster and put out hundreds of it is show time.
porters and know the boxers on have only had two shows where
The officials make a bout sheet
the poster would show up to box. all my pre-booked matches held
and take time for a quick bite
Short of a family funeral or a life on fight night. Evenings like those
to eat, as do most of the boxers.
threatening illness those matches are treasured in my memories.
The crowd and fans file in and
were good to go. No longer is that the officials take their place. The Most of the time however putting
the case except in rare instances, a a boxing show together is hectic,
reflection of our times maybe. lights come on and it is show chaotic and frustrating in the
time! weeks leading up to fight night.
Now the night of the fights is here. The fights are action-packed, Why do I do it? Because I love
Directions have been given, time is the boxers are skillful and well Boxing! Love it or leave it.
set, weigh-ins and medicals occur conditioned. The sportsmanship That’s why I am here….because
several hours before the scheduled is prevalent, the crowd enjoys the I love it!
show. The officials sanctioned by
the amateur commission show up
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early well before the event starts. Kim Greer knew this Colts Player!
To their credit amateur officials
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
in Issue #24
are volunteers as well and donate in Issue #24
their time. Although some token
Her Prize is
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expenses such as gas and food are Her Prize is
Prize
paid for them by the host club.
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of the bouts comes together.
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Some out of town clubs are
late due to the distance they are Name
travelling from, some clubs don’t Zac Tierney
show up at all so a few matches go Number
out the window and changes are #27
made. Now some coaches don’t Position
like the new match ups and some Defence
boxers come in over or under
weight. Again this can cause bouts Nickname
to change or be cancelled. The Tierney
officials must make sure the rules Favorite NHL Player
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Favorite NHL Team
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