WSB bouts now separate from Pro, BoxRec named other official reg

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

This news isn't exactly breaking but I never saw a thread or any discussion about it. Better late than never.

The WSB professional record-keeping dilemma with Fight Fax, after 3 years, has finally been formally solved

Over the summer, from July 29th through August 3rd, the ABC had its largest annual conference ever -- its 28th. Six days were used to remedy some significant issues that had been plaguing Am & Pro boxing in a number of areas for years. Matchmaking was an area on their agenda that focused on what should be done about World Series of Boxing (WSB) bouts. BoxRec, at the time, didn't recognize them and was the unofficial registry (record keeper), while Fight Fax, Inc., has the contract as the official record keeper for US State Athletic Commissions, Tribal Athletic Commissions & through the ABC itself (when no SAC/TAC exists they can be brought in to sanction fights). The ABC is the Association of Boxing Commissions that has jurisdiction over pro boxing matches in the US, its minor outlying islands and other territories, among select international member regions.

On August 2nd, at the conference, a motion was introduced to the floor to separate WSB bouts from pro fights in the official Fight Fax registry that State Athletic Commissions, promoters & matchmakers use for their respective purposes of matchmaking, scouting & establishing fighters' professional career record history. The motion was passed by a clear majority voice vote. BoxRec also became the other official record keeping registry with Fight Fax having already been contracted by the ABC over the years for that purpose. Both are now recognized as the two official record keepers to be used by the aforementioned parties.

WSB bouts are now to be treated separately from Pro boxing fights in Fight Fax's official record books

"Presentation Mike Martino on World Series of Boxing Pro vs. Amateur Issues. Attorney for Josh Temple. Andy Foster made impromptu presentation. Motion – Foster of CA Moved to separate WSB records on Fight Fax. MOVED. The boxing registry shall place an indication by the WSB fights on Fight Fax such that it does not have to be announced as part of the fighter’s professional record. Seconded by Gentile (FL). MOTION CARRIED ON A VOICE VOTE WITH MINIMAL NAYS."

BoxRec is now recognized as the other official record keeper, alongside Fight Fax

Presentation from Boxrec. Provided in writing. Mareena and John Sheppard.

Presentation from Fightfax. Anibel Miramontes.

The issue of the official boxing registry was discussed. President Mazzulli announced that both registries shall be considered official registries. Motion was to give authority to the Boxing Registry Committee to resolve all outstanding issues with the Boxing Registries, including all of the contractual information read into the record by Foster. Motion by Sirb (PA) seconded by English (NH). Motion by Gentile (FL) to adjourn, seconded and approved.

The ABC's formal draft document from their website → 28th Annual Association of Boxing Commissions Conference

WSB Separation from Pros Motion & Floor Full Discussion Video Clip
[Timestamped]


WSB Motion On Floor Carried/Passed (Approved) Video Clip
[Timestamped]


The ruling is retroactive and doesn't just apply going forward for professional record-keeping from Fight Fax. Current & future WSB bout records will be separate and at the bottom of the Fight Fax list for each fighter that has competed there as a semi-pro. The list of bouts will be labeled as such, "WSB" or "World Series of Boxing", as its own entity.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Why is this important? Simple. Official world record holding! Here are two examples of historic pro boxing world records that were recently broken by fighters that fought in AIBA's WSB that this specifically affects. These records are now officially recognized in full after the ABC made its ruling for Fight Fax to separate WSB bouts from pro fights in their record books that athletic commissions, promoters & matchmakers who freely have access to it see.

Usyk's 10 pro fights to win a world title (WBO) at Cruiserweight vs Holyfield's 12 pro fights to win a world title (WBA) at Cruiserweight. He broke his record fight before last. However, Usyk, like Lomachenko, also has 6 WSB bouts on his record. So, if these bouts were counted in with his pro fights like before then he wouldn't have officially broken his record to become the fastest man to win a world title at Cruiserweight.

Then we get to Lomachenko, an even better example. In 1975, a Muay Thai fighter turned boxer, Saensak Muangsurin, won a world title (WBC) in only his 3rd pro fight. Loma tied this mark when he beat GRJ in his 3rd pro fight for the vacant WBO world title. Naoya Inoue captured world titles in two divisions in only 8 pro fights. Lomachenko then captured his second world title in another division in only 7 pro fights to beat this record. He became the fastest man ever in boxing history to win world titles in two weight divisions and was already tied for winning his first the fastest with Muangsurin. Had his 6 WSB bouts still been counted as pro fights then neither record would officially stand.

Here's what an older Fight Fax print out for him looks like, courtesy of Fight News. This will change, or already has changed, to be designated with the heading "WSB" in the next Fight Fax volume's publication and will no longer count toward the total number of pro fights on his record.

If Lomachenko wins a world title in second pro fight, it won’t be an official record

In the above source, Fight News inaccurately reported that he wore 8 oz gloves in the WSB. This is false. They were 10's, as often worn in the amateurs, with velcro straps like amateur boxing & training gloves have instead of laces, which pro gloves have (now he fights in 8 oz gloves).

VASYL LOMACHENKO, THE WSB AND THE RECORD-KEEPING DIVIDE

@aries, you will be pleased to hear this great news. Read the OP.

 

[KillerIsBack V2]

@Kovalev's "Man Bag"
Bro, you should send a cv to a boxing news website or start your own blog/Youtube channel. Anything.

 

[Shoemaker]

If you're getting paid to fight, you're a professional fighter. That's how I see it anyway.

 

[aries]

Good stuff. What I object to are the people that on the one hand cited Lomachenko's lack of pro experience as the reason he lost to Salido but on the other would bring up his WSB experience to denigrate his achievements as a pro boxer. You can't have it both ways!

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

@Kovalev's "Man Bag"
Bro, you should send a cv to a boxing news website or start your own blog/Youtube channel. Anything.

LOL. I run a couple different websites and have for over 15 years, but, they're not for boxing news. It's enough of a pain in the ass to update the server patches to maintain security and my content on there.

If you're getting paid to fight, you're a professional fighter. That's how I see it anyway.

Top amateurs also get paid though and always have in one form or another. This dates back to Willie Pep's amateur days and it states this right on his Wiki page. Amateur boxers out of Connecticut back then, among other states, during the Great Depression were allowed to be paid while in some other states they weren't allowed unless they won or medaled at the Olympics.

Since 2008, AIBA has expressly allowed amateurs to be paid, which makes up 5 years of Lomachenko's senior-level amateur career. If you win a major tournament then you get paid prize money and, in the case of the Olympics, a monthly salary. If you win the Continental Championships (ie, the European Championships), the World Championships or the Olympics then you get paid prize money; 100K for the Olympics down to 10K or less (if you medaled silver or bronze) for the World Cup. You only need to medal to get paid. If you win the Olympics then you get the prize money plus an annual salary (stipend). In some cases assets such as sports cars or a house are also up for grabs. The prize money and the annual salary, paid out monthly, is there to encourage or "incentivize" boxers to compete again for their country at the next Olympics. The salary also goes toward helping you out financially for the next Olympic cycle you're training for. Loma has been getting paid as a top amateur since 2008 when he won the Olympics. AIBA decided to offer up prize money for several major tournaments per year that boxers can compete in to take home cash.

http://fightbeat.com/forums/showthr...-for-a-gold-medal-at-the-1st-Boxing-World-Cup

Here is Lomachenko talking about these payments as an amateur back in early 2010. At the end of the video he's driving off in his brand new Mercedes S-Class s350. He was gifted it after winning the 2009 World Championships.

[Timestamped]

Good stuff. What I object to are the people that on the one hand cited Lomachenko's lack of pro experience as the reason he lost to Salido but on the other would bring up his WSB experience to denigrate his achievements as a pro boxer. You can't have it both ways!

Yeah. He did show a lack of experience in a couple different areas but mostly because it was his first 12 rounder. His pacing was all wrong, but most importantly, his comfortability level just wasn't there yet without headgear on against a veteran pro. He was very worried about Salido headbutting him going into the fight and during it refused to in-fight until way too late because of it. In the WSB and the Ams, he also didn't have to deal with that kind of opponent roughing him up (potentially DQ'ed), an opponent missing weight and then getting to come in 11 pounds heavier (wouldn't be allowed to even compete), or an opponent excessively fouling him the whole fight (would be DQ'ed). His experience against the best technical boxers in the world with different styles (less brawlers and foul play) that he gained from his amateur days is very important, however. Just my opinion.