How to Become A Pro Boxer In South Africa

Professional boxers are career athletes at the very top of the sport. They make a living from the bouts they participate in, and world champions like Anthony Joshua can also make money through endorsements and sponsorship.

Can I become a pro boxer at 30?

Despite the common misconception that martial arts is a young man’s game, starting your boxing training in your 30’s is an amazing idea. First of all, you’re never too old to start boxing. It does wonders for your physical fitness and athleticism because it’s such an intense and effective workout.

What makes a boxing fight professional?

For professional boxing, a boxer looks for the big shot and knocks out more often. The boxers plant their feet more and throw powerful shots at their opponent. An amateur must land his punch directly on the closed glove, but a professional can hit the opponent on his back or the kidneys’ area.

What age can a boxer go pro?

From a purely technical point of view, there is no age limitation for recreational boxing, however, there is a limit in combat boxing. You can compete in combat boxing until the age of 40. The maximum age has been put in place by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to protect boxers.

What Is the Path to Becoming a Professional Boxer?

How to Become A Pro Boxer : License & Requirements

Pro Boxer Requirements

Salary R 758946.50 (median annual salary for athletes and sports competitors)
EducationNo formal education necessary, though athletes go through extensive training, generally starting during or before high school
LicenseProfessional boxing requirements include beinglicensed in a state to fight there; amateur boxers might need licensure
ExperienceExperience as an amateur is required before turning professional
Key SkillsA Pro Boxers must be in tremendous physical condition

Below are steps to Become A Pro Boxer In South Africa

Step 1: Begin Training

If you want to know how to get into boxing, you will need to start with some training. Prospective boxers often begin training at a young age at a community center or local boxing gym.

Young boxers might work with a coach privately or in a class. Training involves learning the fundamentals of boxing and ways to get in shape. Inexperienced boxers do not fight in bouts; instead they train by hitting a bag, developing footwork, jumping rope, and learning punching combinations.

Step 2: Earn State Licensure

Wondering how to get a boxing license? To fight in a particular state, an amateur boxer might need to obtain a license from that state’s athletic commission; professional boxers always need to be licensed. When seeking a boxing license, you typically must pass a physical that ensures you are fit to fight, in addition to submitting an application.

You also might have to undergo various medical exams, including an EKG, neurological test, and blood work. Other common qualifications for boxing licensure include age, moral character, experience, and reputation.

Step 3: Participate in Amateur Boxing Tournaments

In order to learn how to become a pro boxer, you will need to start at the amateur level. Boxers as young as eight years old can participate in amateur tournaments.

These tournaments are held around the country, and boxers are matched up with other fighters in their same age range and weight class. Keep in mind that there is no boxing age limit, and you can start as an adult if you choose.

Success Tip:

Continue training. To be successful at every fighting level, boxers must be in exemplary physical condition and maintain a rigorous training regimen that prepares them to face their competitors. Brute strength, stamina, agility, the ability to change pace regularly, and quick reflexes are all important attributes for becoming a successful boxer.

Step 4: Assemble a Team of Professionals

You know how to become a boxer, but what you really want to know is how to be a good boxer, and how to make it in boxing as a career. While a boxer can opt to represent themselves, these athletes typically surround themselves with a team of professionals; this is very important when learning how to become a professional boxer.

Chief among these team members are a manager and a promoter. A manager acts as a boxer’s agent, supervising training, working with matchmakers to find opponents, and negotiating payments for matches.

Boxing Licensing Procedure

Boxing Licensing Procedure

As contemplated by the South African Boxing Act, Act No.11 of 2001, Boxing SA “may issue certificates of registration to any person who is not a member of Boxing SA as a boxer, official, trainer, manager or promoter”.


Who can apply for a license?

An applicant for a license must be older than 18 years across all categories. In case of a Boxer, the applicant must be older than 18 years but younger than 35 years in the case of first registration. A boxer who has not participated in a boxing contest for a continuous period of 12 months or more shall be deemed to be a first registration.



When do applications and renewals open?

Application for first registrations and renewals open in November, or any other time as determined and communicated by BSA, and close on 28 February for early approval annually. BSA shall use the month of March to process all applications, facilitate approval from the Board and release the names of all approved applications before the beginning of the new financial year, i.e., 1 April. In addition to this, the month of March is used to produce identification cards for all licensees whose applications have been approved.



What if I miss the date of 28 February?

Should you miss the closing date of 28 February you may still submit your application up until 31 March, however, your application will only be tabled for Board approval in the board meeting scheduled for late April of the new financial year.

The implication thereof is that individuals who missed the early approval closing date will not be eligible to participate in any boxing activities till after the approval in April. You are therefore encouraged to submit your applications before the early approval closing date.

Specific Board approval and approval announcement dates shall be published annually in November when the licensing period opens.



Do I need to fill in any forms?

No. All license applications and renewals are done online. Boxers do however need to submit a completed Medical Examination Form which is available on the BSA website.



How much do I pay for my license?

BSA shall annually determine the various registration fees payable by persons applying for first registration or renewal fees. In alignment with the Boxing Regulations, BSA has published its annual licensing tariffs and these can be found on the BSA website. Click Here to access the latest tariffs.

Payments must be processed online using your credit/debit card or other available options. No cash payment to BSA officials is permissible.

When making bank payment, please use the reference number provided on the system as well as the banking details provided.

Payments made without an Application Form will not be considered for approval.



What documents do I need to apply for or renew my license?

The following are standard requirements for the license application or renewal for:

Boxer:

Medical Examination Form

2x certified copy of ID document (new applications only)

2x passport size colour photo (new applications only)

Latest Medical Reports, i.e. HIV, Hepatitis B and, in case of a female boxer, a breast and pelvic examination

All other categories:

2x certified copy of ID document (new applicants only)

2x passport size colour photo (new applicants only)

Important:

All documentation copies must have been certified at any police station or by a Commissioner of Oath within the last three (3) months.

Boxers aged 35 and above, who have not previously submitted a copy of a brain scan (CT/MRI), will still be required to do so before participating in any fight. These will be kept on file for a period of at least 5 years.



What confirmation will I receive to confirm my license approval?SMS communication will be issued to all approved licensees and each licensee will be able to print a personalised Certificate of Registration from the online system.



Does BSA license foreign nationals?

Yes. Only holders of either a Permanent Resident Permit, Asylum Seeker Permit or Green Refugee ID document, which permit the holder to take up employment in South Africa, will be licensed by BSA.

Non-SA citizens across all categories will be required to meet the licensing standard requirements, complete the Renewal/Application Form, and submit these to the BSA national office or to the closest Provincial Mangers.

A Certified copy of the Permanent Resident Permit, Asylum Seeker Permit or Refugee Identity Document must be submitted as well.

Foreign nationals who do not meet the requirement on 8 (i) but wish to participate in BSA sanctioned tournaments in South Africa must apply for sanctioning for each tournament by submitting to BSA a letter of authorization (Clearance Letter) from the controlling body to which he/she is licensed along with the full current medical status and professional boxing record.

Important:

A passport alone will not be accepted as supporting documentation for license renewal or registration nor will special skills permit be acceptable.

Foreign national Boxers who are licensed by BSA will be eligible to participate and benefit from the BSA Safety Fund however may not be eligible to contest for a South African provincial or national title.

How do I get a boxing license in South Africa?

As contemplated by the South African Boxing Act, Act No.

Medical Examination Form.

2x certified copy of ID document (new applications only)

2x passport size colour photo (new applications only)

Latest Medical Reports, i.e. HIV, Hepatitis B and, in case of a female boxer, a breast and pelvic examination.

Can anyone get a pro boxing license in South Africa ?

Professional boxers always need to be licensed, but not all states require that an amateur hold a license. In most states, to acquire a license, you must pass a physical and submit an application.

How much does a pro boxer make per fight in South Africa ?

Low-End Salary

Early in their careers, fighters can expect about R 73870.60 to R 147741 per fight, or from R 73870.60 to R 147741.19 per fight in the midrange. Most boxers have only about four fights per year, so the salaries here are not staggering.

Where should I start a boxing career in South Africa ?

Prospective boxers often begin training at a young age at a community center or local boxing gym. Young boxers might work with a coach privately or in a class. Training involves learning the fundamentals of boxing and ways to get in shape.

How many amatuer fights do you need to turn pro boxing in South Africa ?

So, my recommendation to anyone thinking of becoming professional is to have at least 10 amateur fights first, preferably more though. Do at least one tournament because it’s completely different to anything else.

What is a professional boxer called in South Africa ?

Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for PROFESSIONAL BOXER [bruiser]

How many fights before you turn pro in South Africa ?

The biggest thing to remember is not to jump in too early into professional fights. Some fighters who have been training since they were a child may turn pro with only 10 amateur fights, but in reality, it is recommended to have had at least 20 fights before turning into a professional fighter.

Is it hard to go pro in boxing in South Africa ?

The path to becoming a pro boxer is very difficult. You’ll need to train hard to develop your strength, win repeatedly at the amateur level and keep your body in tremendous physical condition. The majority of your professional life will be spent in the boxing gym.