How to Become a Professional Boxer in the UK

Boxing is a very intense and challenging sport that requires a great deal of time, focus, dedication, and mental and physical fortitude.

So, anyone wondering how to become a professional boxer in the UK or anywhere else must know sacrifices must be made. That said, up-and-coming fighters still have to meet specific administrative requirements to get a boxing license.

Below, we tell you more about the license issuance process and outline several strategies that will make you a better fighter in time.

How to Get a Boxing License in the UK?

Even if you are prepared to box professionally, you must apply for and get a license from the British Boxing Board of Control before you can start your boxing journey.

However, before doing so, you must gain sufficient boxing experience, as the BBBofC will check your amateur records. Licenses are reserved only for those amateurs who competed in a reasonable number of fights and/or have received proper instruction.

Before applying for a professional license, you must also meet the following:

• You were taught and supervised by a professional trainer;
• You have hired a manager licensed by the Board;
• You have demonstrated your skills in a gym assessment;
• You are 18 years of age and a British citizen.

Once you fulfil the above requirements, you can begin the application process by supplying all of the following documents to the BBBofC Head Office:

• An amateur boxing card
• A filled-out application form
• An original photo ID (passport or driving license)
• Four passport-quality photos
• The boxer/manager contract
• The applicable fee payment

Once the Board receives and reviews the paperwork, it will forward a request for an interview to your Area Secretary. If you pass the interview, your application will be returned to the Head Office, and you will be asked to furnish the following:

• Medical and optician’s report
• HIV blood test result
• MRI brain scan report
• Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C test results
• Proof of Hepatitis B vaccinations

If everything goes well and the entire Board approves your boxing license, you can start taking professional boxing matches in Great Britain regulated by the BBBofC.

For further information, clarifications, and/or application forms, contact the Head Office at 029 2036 7000 or via email: [email protected].

Things to Know Before Becoming a Professional Boxer

After starting your journey towards becoming a pro boxer, you should adjust your lifestyle and philosophy to give yourself the best chances of achieving your goals.

1. Practice makes perfect

The more you practice, the better you’ll become at anything, not to mention boxing, where your physical and mental readiness directly affect your results.

Also, look at every fight as an opportunity to grow. That said, you should not back off from challenging matches because even if you lose, you’ll get an excellent opportunity to learn from your mistakes and get back stronger—heat tempers steel, after all!

Finally, always take full advantage of every training session to build up your strength, stamina, and confidence, so you’ll feel like you belong in the ring.

2. Nourish your body

Perhaps you’ve heard that diet is half of the equation in physical training. It’s true! To stay healthy and strong and have the energy to develop your body, you must consume the right foods and drinks at the right time!

Eating a balanced diet of unprocessed, whole foods, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and whole-grain carbohydrates, such as rice and quinoa, is very important. Avoid junk food (such as sweets and crisps) as it contains lots of sugar, salt, and preservatives.

Moreover, stay away from alcohol and/or drugs (including smoking) as they make your mind and body weaker, thus affecting your performance in training and matches.

3. Train your mental fortitude

Discipline, motivation, and mental toughness are just as crucial in boxing as the size and speed of your arms. Ultimately, a boxer is only successful if they develop the psychological edge needed to cope with the sport’s demands.

Mental strength is essential in delivering consistent results, staying focused, and thinking strategically while your opponent is trying to punch you as hard as possible. This resilience is also crucial in overcoming setbacks, which are part of any sport.

4. Listen to your coach

Listening to and following the instructions of a professional and experienced coach is as important as anything else, as they can guide your development and steer you in the right direction based on your current progress and boxing proclivities.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help or clarification on specific moves, techniques, or regulations. Remember, your coach most likely has gone through what you are going through and has the knowledge needed to warn you of any pitfalls ahead.

In the end, a good coach will know you inside out, which gives him an insight into how far you can be pushed and when you need to rest to regain your strength.

5. Develop your technical abilities

Mastering your technical abilities is also crucial to your training, as you need to have faster hands and feet than your opponents. Feints, defence punching, combinations, and head movements are also skills necessary to protect yourself from serious harm.

Tactical awareness should not be overlooked, either. Together with your coach, work on your game plan, reading your opponent, and pacing and countering strategies.

However, the best way to develop these skills is to train with a sparring partner who can and will push you back, giving you a glimpse of what you can expect in the ring.

Conclusion

Despite the demands associated with boxing, you should pursue your passion for the sport, as its benefits outweigh the risks. Young boxers develop discipline, mental and physical strength, camaraderie with other fighters, and financial stability. So, as long as you apply the above principles while training, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a professional boxer.