One of the most famous events in the world of sports today is the emergence of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It has gone from the punchline of a thousand jokes to a multibillion-dollar enterprise, encouraging millions of people to check out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu club in their neighborhood to see all the excitement about it. Those concerned that the expansion of the UFC would have a detrimental effect on boxing were completely mistaken.
Although boxing is a classic sport with regulations written down in the 18th century, the promoters at the top of the sport know how to maintain the mark on the cutting edge of innovation. At the same time, boxing gyms nationwide continue to welcome new members, and every year, hundreds of fighters of varying heights, weights, and ages debut in the ring for the first time.
Apart from the flash and glamour of a sell-out audience at Wembley Stadium, the world of unlicensed boxing is also prospering. Individuals from all walks of life are deciding to put the talents they’ve acquired at their neighborhood boxing club to use in bouts not licensed by the state. So what exactly is unauthorized boxing? Is it legal? And how certain are you in your bet?
What does it mean to have a boxing license?
Let’s begin our investigation of unlicensed boxing by first acquiring knowledge of what a boxing license is and how the licensing process works. To participate in an official boxing match, amateur and professional boxers must receive a permit from the relevant regulating organization. This is something that will be covered in more detail later on in the article.
The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) is the organization that is responsible for issuing licenses to professional boxers in the United Kingdom. As the media discusses prospective battles, you may have heard of the BBBofC being mentioned. A boxer’s license to fight professionally may have been revoked by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for various reasons, including that they have failed a drug test or been found guilty of committing a crime. In such situations, the British Boxing Board of Control has the authority to revoke boxers’ licenses and reissue them if the fighter in question passes the necessary tests.
Also, the British Boxing Board of Control approves individual bouts, which they can revoke at any moment. The bout between Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora illustrates this point well. Even though both heavyweights have valid licenses, the British Boxing Board of Control withdrew its sanction of the 2019 bout. This came after Whyte said he would assault Chisora whenever he saw him and after a press conference turned into chaos. Whyte and Chisora have been in trouble with the BBBofC, but they are hardly the only boxers who have had their licenses revoked for one reason or another.
According to the British Boxing Board of Control’s website, the regulations governing their license “are meant to avoid [risk] and to guarantee that boxers are adequately equipped, healthy, and appropriately matched to have a satisfying career.” Before granting a boxer a professional license, the BBBofC will carefully consider the boxer’s performance in the amateur ranks and make it very apparent that a fighter who does not have an impressive body of work in the amateur ranks will not be awarded a license. Boxing clubs in Britain, overseen by national authorities, are in charge of amateur licensing, making for a somewhat different system than in other countries.
If they compete in another nation, professional boxers are required to get licenses from that country and any others that may apply. Because the licensing laws might differ from country to country and even from state to state within federal nations like the United States of America and Australia, this has caused significant problems in the past. Boxers may compete overseas even if they do not have a license in their native country, as was when Derek Chisora fought Vitaly Klitschko in Germany in 2013.
Unlicensed Boxing
Regulation in boxing has never been more important. The evidence is mounting that repetitive brain trauma is causing ex-professional rugby players and footballers to suffer greatly. Similarly, much study is being conducted on the impacts of a boxing career, and many professional and amateur boxing organizations are doing their part to safeguard their boxers.
Notwithstanding this, and the other advantages of licensing, illegal boxing persists in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and elsewhere. The first thing to emphasize about unlicensed boxing is that it is not unlawful. Stepping into the ring to fight in an unregulated and unlicensed setting may be hazardous, and it is not for the faint of heart, but it does not constitute a violation of the law.
When you hear about illegal boxing contests, you instantly think of videos portraying two guys fighting rough in filthy garages surrounded by a baying crowd. Although unlicensed boxing might be nasty, it isn’t entirely like a scene from Snatch.
White-collar boxing refers to some of the most popular unlicensed boxing in the United Kingdom. The surge inspires the term in the popularity of boxing among finance employees in Britain’s major cities. Boxing clubs in London, in particular, have witnessed a rise in membership before and after office hours as city guys seek another outlet for their competitive nature. Since boxing is a combat sport, people will want to test themselves in the ring, even if they want to avoid going through the rigmarole of completing the examinations necessary for an amateur license.
Charity boats are another popular unlicensed boxing style. Many individuals who appreciate a physical challenge decide that boxing is something they’d want to try. You can understand the attraction if you participate in a night raising money for a good cause. Boxing is a hazardous sport, both because of its aggressive and physically demanding aspects. Even if it is not unlawful, participating in a boxing bout should never be a hasty choice.
Is It Possible to Gamble on Unlicensed Boxing?
The answer is no. Both boxing and bookmaking have a long history of operating underground, away from the prying eyes of officials and governing bodies. However, both industries have cleaned up their act, so you won’t find markets for unlicensed boxing matches at your local bookie. Boxing has a long history of operating underground, away from the prying eyes of officials and governing bodies.
As we’ve seen, boxing is a highly controlled sport with regulatory organizations that ensure combatants have the necessary fitness, talent, and experience before they enter the ring. Another business where laws and regulations are quite stringent is the gaming industry. Licensed bookmakers and betting organizations in the UK and other countries sign contracts with each sport’s governing body to exchange data and collaborate on developing standards of conduct. These partnerships guarantee that the sport in question is content with the regulations that the betting businesses have imposed on it.
You may assume that bookmakers would be willing to accept bets on high-profile illegal boxing contests. Still, as soon as the regulations stray slightly from the standard, bookies must proceed with extreme caution. Bookmakers will only take the risk if there are officials to ensure the correct number of rounds or to keep an accurate score throughout the fight.
