Boxing Dissertation

[Glasgow Boxer]

Hi guys

I am doing my dissertation on marketing in boxing and how it differs from that of MMA and I am just wondering if you guys could help me out by answering a few quick questions!

Age

Name of Club

Location

Why did you start boxing?

How long have you been doing it for?

What motivates you to go to training?

Do you do any other combat sports?

Do you compete?

What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?

What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?

Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?

Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?
How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?

Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?

If yes, how would you go about changing that image?

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?


Many thanks guys!

[Glasgow Boxer]

GUYZ, please help, I'm running out of time.A couple of replies would be fantastic! :-)

[Juof]

Age
17
Name of Club
eba
Location
england
Why did you start boxing?
watched it on tv did some mess arounds with mates then i became addicted
How long have you been doing it for?
10 months
What motivates you to go to training?
im addicted i see guys like manny hatton etc n think to myself i wanna be like that
Do you do any other combat sports?
nope
Do you compete?
i do box amature fights
What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?
dont understand :P
What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?
parents... you cant go because u might get hurt brain damage
Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?
ye people just wanna see some1 get hurt quick
Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?
yes
How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?
2 pound a session
Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?
dunno dont care
If yes, how would you go about changing that image?

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?
hinders they should have it like professional

[joe_indo]

Age
19

Name of Club
Florida Jack's

Location
Toronto

Why did you start boxing?
Self Defence

How long have you been doing it for?
about 1 year

What motivates you to go to training?
wanting to get better

Do you do any other combat sports?
A bit of muay thai/kickboxing or else no

Do you compete?
not yet

What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?
its kool?

What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?
not too available, and a lotta ppl dont like the idea of getting punched in the face

Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?
YES

Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?
No (kids are dangerous enough)

How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?
for Adults its 100$/month students is 80$/month
it includes all classes and use of weight room and facilities, only other fees is extra stuff such as locker, towel service, and equipment which i dont buy

Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?
No

If yes, how would you go about changing that image?

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?
Hinders

hope i helped

[twanky1]

Name of Club

PCYC Port Macquarie

Location

Port Macquarie, Australia

Why did you start boxing?

Fitness, Self defence, wanted a sport that suited me

How long have you been doing it for?

3 or 4 years

What motivates you to go to training?

I really enjoy pushing myself and I love seeing aspects of my boxing improve

Do you do any other combat sports?

I did Karate once as a kid, walked in, beat the black belt in "sparring" (This was before i ever laced up a boxing glove.) and never went again.

Do you compete?

Numerous injuries and viral induced ashtma have stopped me from acheiving a satisfactory fitness level for a long enough period of time. I am, judging from other boxers at my gym, at about a 1 or 2 fight level at the moment.

What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?

I think the headgear gives it a bad reputation among "tough guys" and violence loving teenagers. The scoring system is not representetive of pro boxing and as such AM boxing at its highest level is not that entertaining

What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?

Boxing has been around for ages and has mainstream acceptence. Todays kids arent interested in this sport because it is not "new" and "cool".

Todays young people are more likely to watch MMA due to the reason I mentioned above coupled with the fact there is more blood and violence.

Most people also think that by doing MMA they will be viewd as the worlds best fighters (and gain the respect that comes with it).

Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?

Sure, see above.

Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?

Yes, Boxing should become a schoolastic sport again. It is safe, cheap , beneficial to fitness and teaches commitment, hardwork, modesty and spirit.

How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?

Pcyc is 3 dollars a visit, alot of Boxing gyms are free because the trainers do it for love of the sport.

Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?
No, most people realise that AM boxing is safer. Unfortunatley this seems to have a negative affect aswell because it is viewd as being softer and less difficult.

If yes, how would you go about changing that image?

Get rid of headgear, it doesnt do much to stop concussions anyway.

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?

Hinders, it is a flawed system that is difficult to judge and can make fights boring because power becomes unimportant.

[DaveJH]

Age - 16

Name of Club - Grimsby School of Boxing

Location - Grimsby, UK

Why did you start boxing? - My Dad wanted me to learn how to look after myself, and I soon ended up loving the sport.

How long have you been doing it for? - About 4 years on and off due to a knee injury. Now been at it for about 9 months solidly as my knee is sorted now.

What motivates you to go to training? - Wanting to get and stay in shape. I tell myself that if I miss training I'll lose strength and condition even if it's one session.

Do you do any other combat sports? - No

Do you compete? - Not yet

What is your perception of boxing at amateur level? - A great sport.

What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing? - Many people have fixed views in their head that boxing is ******, without ever taking the time to properly watch boxing. As far as anti-boxing people go, they tend to hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest.

Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people? - Not at all. Many people I've talked to watch UFC for the spectacle, but say they'd rather participate in and attend a live boxing event as they prefer it as a sport.

Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters? - Definitely.

How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay? - £3 a session which works out at £9 a week.

Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing? - No, as said above, many people realise it is safer. The referees are also more vigilant.

If yes, how would you go about changing that image? - N/A

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport? - The US amateur system is not right at all. It damages the sport in a sense with many ''dodgy'' decisions taking place from what I've read and heard.

[Equilibrium]

Age:

24

Name of Club:

Lasalle boxing club

Location:

Montreal

Why did you start boxing?:

I thought i was a tough guy.

How long have you been doing it for?:

About 8 years on and off.

What motivates you to go to training?:

Getting better technically, getting in better shape.

Do you do any other combat sports?:

Did, started traditional martial arts at a young age. Then boxing, picked up mma for a couple of years, back to full time boxing now.

Do you compete?:

I did, had 4 amateur fights. I'd like to start competing again.

What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?:

Good way to learn and sharpen your craft but the scoring system is a joke.

What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?:

Mostly the price of boxing tickets and ppv events. Plus terrible undercards. Bring back boxing on cable TV and it will be more popular than ever.

Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?:

To some people i guess. It's easy to explain, action happens fast and most importantly every mma card is stacked. So even if the main event is boring, its almost guaranteed that there will be other entertaining fights.

Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?
How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?:

Depends on the place i guess, my gym is 25$ a month, no joining fee.

Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?:

It does have a bad image but it has nothing to do with pro boxing aside from the fact that pro boxing is much more entertaining.

If yes, how would you go about changing that image?:

Change the scoring system to something more similar to pro boxing.

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?:

It hinders the sport of course. A scoring system that calculates only the number of punches landed without judging their effectiveness is flawed from the get go.

[mkm88414]

Age
23
Name of Club
Savannah Boxing
Location
Houston, TX
Why did you start boxing?
I liked it
How long have you been doing it for?
8 months
What motivates you to go to training?
myself
Do you do any other combat sports?
Used to wrestle
Do you compete?
Yes
What is your perception of boxing at amateur level?
It is fast paced
What do you think are the main problems with attracting people to boxing?
It can be seen as boring and the average viewer might not understand technique.
Do you think newer combat sports such as MMA/UFC are more appealing to people?
yes
Do you think boxing should be made more accessible to youngsters?
How much is it to join your club and what kind of fees do you pay?
boxing is accessible to youngsters. 50/month
Do you think amateur boxing suffers from a bad image due to pro boxing?
no
If yes, how would you go about changing that image?

Do you think the amateur scoring system helps or hinders the sport?
hinders

Many thanks guys![/QUOTE]

[Glasgow Boxer]

Thanks guys. Some interesting points raised, should make for an interesting report!