By Daniel Hughes: The building of a fighter can often be made easier by the recognition of an esteemed amateur career, managers and promoters falling over themselves to sign the next big thing. The reality of the paid ranks is totally different for many fighters that will start and end careers at domestic level, worldwide.
The percentage that can be moved to beyond that level can be varied, often depending on the teams behind them. The matching of a fighter, choosing the correct career path can often be a fine balancing act. The exposure to TV opens the doors that the fighting public will judge a fighter by, sink or swim mandatory but ultimately you get the opportunity to showcase what you have and where you can go, level wise.
The UK has a thriving small hall scene, with promoters like Steve Goodwin and Mickey Helliet regularly putting on competitive shows that have been recognized by the UK hardcore boxing fan as shows that provide real value for money. The fighters hungry to progress and the matches reflect the fact. The small hall show the first steps on finding your level as a fighter.
The ability to sell yourself as a fighter paramount to those out there looking to build a career in the pros. The crossing over to becoming a professional fighter without the backing of a promoter with a major TV deal is a hurdle many fighters will have to navigate.
The ground level of boxing promotion provided by the grass roots level cards should never be overlooked or underestimated. The progression of many fighters can be rapid. The fighter on the way up and those promoters that provide the link to the greater opportunities it seems have one thing in common providing entertainment.
The worldwide fight fan has rightly some reservations regarding PPV and boxing lacking value for money. In my experience sometimes the best PPV can often be at the venue, small hall shows but fighters and promoters with big ambitions.
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