A boxing manager needs interpersonal and business skills, as well as knowledge of the sport and legal skills. Former boxers may become managers, but intuition in selecting potential winners is also important. Learning from experience is key.
The skills required by a boxing manager depend on the relationship between the boxer and his manager. Yet many professionals in the field find that a particular style of management creates more efficient and effective boxers. Former boxers occasionally go on to become managers, and having skills related to the sport of boxing is important. Interpersonal skills, however, are probably the most essential to a boxing manager’s job. In many cases, the only way to gain the skills needed to become a boxing manager is to get involved in that aspect of the sport and learn from the experience.
Most of the time a boxing manager needs boxing related skills but not real talent. Knowing how the sport works is essential and so is having an understanding of the ideal development of a boxer. These skills can often be developed by working with young boxers or being a boxer yourself.
Interpersonal and business skills are very important because even a great boxer needs marketing. Finding sponsors, opportunities, and profitable matches requires subtlety and business intelligence. Being nice is not enough for a boxing manager, as making deals and haggling can require an aggressive touch.
One of the most important skills of a boxing manager is keeping the boxer content while representing his own interests. Athletes do not always have a reasonable understanding of what they should receive or the opportunities available to them. Boxers may threaten to find new management when unhappy, and a manager’s livelihood may depend on the boxer. Managers need to be able to work with strong personalities to stay financially secure.
Basic legal skills can be very useful for a boxing manager as contracts are often required to work. Having a contract that explicitly identifies the manager’s rights and responsibilities is always a good idea. Understanding contracts is also important when signing up a boxer for events and even sponsorships. A manager doesn’t need the skills of a lawyer, but he or she must be able to read and understand this type of document.
One of the most important talents a manager can acquire is an intuition about which boxers are potential winners. Finding young fighters to manage requires all of the above skills, but selecting the right fighter to develop into a champion can require more than a simple analysis of his fighting style. Intuition often comes with experience, and the best way to develop this skill is to get involved in boxing in any way possible.
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