By Matt Bevan
Boxing is a tough game. Two fighters going head-to-head in the ultimate sporting battle trying to damage the other enough they can’t continue. We all know the score. The fighter will revel in the glory of victory.
But hidden in the background within the promotional set-up is the matchmaker, whose job is to provide a fighter with the proper test to show their talent and get them in the right place at the right time to potentially launch an assault at a world title, or any title for that matter.
Jason McClory, Frank Warren’s matchmaker, is right at the top of one of boxing’s hardest, and definitely most stressful, aspects of the sport. He shares his thoughts and some of his method to explain the madness of matchmaking in the pro ranks.
He told Boxing Scene: “It really depends on the manager. The trainer is with the fighter day in, day out and knows them inside out, but the managers can sometimes be very overprotective of their man. It’s not the matchmaker’s job to cross over and do other people’s jobs, so you need a good understanding with the whole team.
“I sit down with them at the beginning of the year and discuss where they want to be at the end of it. If it’s their first four or five fights, then it’s straightforward as you can start getting them on towards six-rounders, so it’s a pretty standard formula that has been proven to work.
“If it’s a fighter closing in on a title shot, whether that be domestic or international, it can be a bit more difficult. If they already have a title, no one wants to lose that first belt as a pro, so they will want to defend it or move up the rankings if they are in the top 15 of a sanctioning body.
“So you have to be singing off the same hymn sheet as a team. It can be frustrating if the team decide to have one more warmup before stepping up, but that can happen if they are a big ticket seller, for example.”
McClory is quick to point out that the fighter’s mentality of anyone, anytime is still firmly in place and says the main reason fights don’t happen is down to some teams that surround them.
However, he confirms that the influence of a trainer is very important in terms of moving a fighter up the levels, whether they are a high-flying former Olympian or a prospect looking to make waves after turning over.
McClory also stresses the need for fighters to be tested and not remain at the same level for too long.
“It’s never the fighters, as they will fight anyone, they don't care,” he continues, “but a lot of the time it’s the people around them, who want to line their own pocket or boost their business. For some it’s even the accolade of having an unbeaten fighter in their stable.
“If they stay at the same level for a long time, then interest runs out and fans will become sick of it. All fighters need to be taken out of their comfort zone at some point. The plan works for me, as you’ve seen with the likes of Jack Catterall, Liam Williams and Gary Corcoran, who thankfully all have sensible trainers who understand the game inside out.
“It’s even more straightforward with Olympians, for example, because they are known at large by the general public. Getting to the Olympics is a fantastic achievement and to medal is even more impressive, so they will have plenty of attention on them. They are very well schooled amateurs, so in a way are already prepared for the pro game, so you can move them quicker.”
McClory explained his method in more detail to ‘Scene and the importance of testing a prospect with all the different styles out there. This gives the whole team a thorough idea of how far and fast the fighter can be moved.
He is also adamant that the many international titles that are on offer, a source of frustration for many boxing fans, are a good thing for getting the fighter into the right mindset as they progress through levels, as well as preparing them for the weight cut all fighters must go through.
“The method is simple to build a fighter to 10-0. You do four four-rounders, two sixs, two eights and then two 10s where they make the weight, or perhaps a single 10 and another eight. In that time, they ideally face a southpaw, a come-forward fighter and an awkward customer so they come up against all styles.
“You want them to also to go in with someone they should knock out, so you see if they have that instinct to go after a stoppage when the opportunity presents itself. They will also fight under championship conditions at least once, so they learn most of what they need, refine their technique and are in condition to make weight properly.
“That is a big plus for international titles. It gets the fighter in the right mindset in terms of making weight. When they win a title, like the WBO European title, it gets them in the rankings and then the fighter will start to think ‘where I can go next?’ They never want to stand still and want to move forward to that next title and next level.
“It’s down to the manager or trainer to decide how fast they can move on and which route to go down. Years ago a British title would be an instant top 15 ranking with the sanctioning bodies, but that isn't guaranteed anymore. The international or Silver titles do give you that and are the first step up the ladder. It provides the fighter with that extra 10 per cent and shows if they really want it.”
McClory also discussed the importance of Area titles and the buzz that he gets from both making a quality fight that is highly praised by all sides of the boxing family, in particular the reaction of the paying public, and seeing one of the fighters he is involved with picking up a title.
The Newark man also admitted that the new deal with BT Sport is already making him step his game up, but warned that with new broadcasters involved in the sport, there is always the potential for some promoters or managers to become even more protective of their charges.
“In the UK, that’s why there needs to be more made of Area titles, as it means so much to fighters because for some that is the highest level they will get to. It’s a great plus for ticket sellers and to be the best in your region is a big boost and it’s rewarding for you to see a fighter lift a title above his head, no matter how long you’ve been involved with them.
“When people are commenting on social media about how good a fight it’s a great indicator. For example, with Jamie Conlan and Anthony Nelson last year, I’d just come out of hospital and I was on the edge of my seat watching it. It was a real 50/50 and the response from fans was brilliant. That’s what it’s all about for me.
“The BT deal will make everyone step their games up. Fans want to see proper fights and that’s great as when they are made they will benefit. With that extra exposure though, there is a potential worry that fights may not be made as more promoters have TV deals and will want to keep an unbeaten fighter on their network.
“People have to be sensible and show willing to work with others, something we are certainly not guilty of. We’re more than willing to do it and it’s a gamble that can work, as proven with Bradley Skeete and can also go the other way, like what happened with Miles Shinkwin.”
