Enter the French boxer Tahar Belkhir and his evening opponent, Kosovar Liridon Koxha, there is no observation round. The two men, valiant and tough, go blow for blow in the ring installed in the center of the Palais des sports in Lyon, on the evening of Friday May 31. The public is in heaven. Many took out their phones to film, others shouted to encourage their favorite. After six rounds, Tahar Belkhir lost on points, but gained the respect and admiration of the audience. “The rebeu didn’t come to make up the numbers. He didn’t give up anything.”appreciates a spectator.
“How much do they take, do you think? »asks a woman to her companion. “Between 6,000 and 7,000 euros”, he replies. An estimate far from reality. For his fourth professional fight, Tahar Belkhir, 25, received 1,000 euros. Better ranked boxers with more experience talk about purses ranging between 1,500 and 3,000 euros. “When we say “boxing”, people think of Floyd Mayweather displaying his wads of cash. It’s a misleading image. In truth, this sport is all about small-time income”affirms Medi Boufoudi33 years old, professional since 2018 (eleven victories, one defeat and one draw) and 22e French in his super-middleweight category (between 66.67 kilos and 69.85 kilos).
In general, a boxer begins a professional career after going through amateur boxing, that practiced at the Olympic Games. Among professionals, the fights are longer (up to twelve rounds, compared to three in amateurs). The counting of points is different: professional boxing favors the efficiency and power of blows (the gloves are also less thick), while Olympic boxing favors the number of hits.
Self-employed
France has 351 professional boxers. How many people make a living from this activity? “About fifteen”says Jean-Charles Aivadian, host of the Boxing Attitude YouTube channel. For comparison, the footballers of National 3 (fifth division) are paid a minimum of 1,747 euros gross per month, or the minimum wage. Pro B basketball players (second division) are paid 4,500 euros net monthly on average – some salaries drop to 1,500 euros. These revenues, even when they are modest, are guaranteed.
Boxers are self-employed: they cash a check when they step into the ring. To preserve their health, they most often only fight three or four times a year. Their coach receives 10% of each bonus. There are also costs payable by them: license, equipment, compulsory examinations (ophthalmological assessment, stress test, cerebral angiography, etc.), care (cryotherapy, massages, etc.), etc.
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