Dividing Line Pro/Am

[Matt]

Kickboxing does not enjoy the mainstream status of Boxing and other sports. In the past we have heared the arguments about the over abundance of sanctioning bodies and ever increasing number of so called 'World Champions.' This I believe is choking the sport. (Thank god for the K1!)

Another aspect of the sport which I believe could be improved would be a clear dividing line between professional and amature. Would this imporve our chances of getting Kickboxing into the Olympics? While as an amature, I would not like to be made to wear anymore protective padding than shin pads, I dont think that professional and amature fighters should share the same martial arts licence. What is stopping a fighter from drifting between professional and amature as they desire? Does a pro Kickboxers record include amature contets?

?

[madjack]

pro gets paid, amateur does not.

[remy]

Madjack, in theory you are right, but is that rule always followed today? I mean don't you know of any amateur having being paid?
I think there needs to be a dividing line that everybody can see when they are watching. I can't always tell which one is an ameuter fight and which one is professional. It needs to be more obvious.

[Matt]

Remeber a little while ago when Paul Grima was complaining about being asked to pay amatures for fighting on his shows. I dont think the dividing line between pro and amataure is a matter of money though. I dont think there is anything wrong with amatures being payed for fighting (with in reason).

I think that it is rediculous that the rating systems incorporates both amature and pro fighters. I think they need to be totaly seperate. What does everyone else think?

?

[Jack Mackeral]

Too right Matt,
The line is definitely not straight.
Travelling expenses etc naturally should be born by the sponser along with non alchoholic drinks, a postfight meal and maybe money for wrappings etc on the fightnight only.

Keeping ratings accurate is hard enough when you consider most people will not fax through small fightnight results especially if their/your fighter loses. The pool of fighters in australia isnt big enough or active enough to get a true rating system. Although Bob Jones old STARR rating system used to be pretty good with A,B,C grades

I remember when Tony Hill, and a few other fighters were going to thailand to fight in amateur tournaments yet they were headlining shows up and down the Qld coast.

[sooty]

Osu all,
Yes the line is a very fine one!
ie:
1 fighter and 1 trainer
Motel fee usually 2-nights $
Food money $
Sometimes Petrol $
Interstate: add in 2 Plane tickets $
It all adds up.

This is for amature fighters?
For Pro fighters its usually
1 fighter 1 Trainer 1 Second "and" a fight purse.

So just because the amature fighters are not getting paid a purse to fight ( generally) they do incure a cost to the Promoter.
Nothing is for free!

Osu
Sooty

[hercules]

Amateurs also can take money from sponsorships (i think), which is not considered payment for actually fighting..