problems in amauteur mma

[I Andy Ess I]

Tbh i think amateur mma would be alot better if they allowed headshots with a pair of sparring gloves on! any other ideas ?

[blackdogmma]

There is no problem with a lack of head shots in amateur, fighters who want headshots have avenues to pursue in either semi pro or pro mma, meanwhile amateurs can get some experience before deciding if they want to move on.

I moved a fighter up from amateur to semi pro this year and he found the experience gained at amateur very valuable.

Get any losses/nerves or learn any lesson needed before it can show up on your semi pro or pro record.

No one gives a shit about your amateur record when you hit pro.

[I Andy Ess I]

from my point of view, if you get used to picking punches out earlier in your mma carreer it can only improve your game and punch accruacy under pressure! and in the hole breed a better fighter

[blackdogmma]

thats cool, i know coaches that agree with you, but rather than trying to fix amateur MMA you just need to avoid it as it doesnt fit in with your training/competing philosophy.

Meanwhile many people will get to enjoy being involved in the sport they love so much in a small way that also means they will still be able to go to work the following day.

Amateur MMA is what it is, it needs fixing no more than thaiboxing judo or sambo does.

[Shortstack]

i agree with blackdog i didnt want to fight no headshots so i went to ZTs amateur tournament which has rules halfway between ama and semi pro and found it was definitely the route to go. the current amateur rule set is good for those wishing to gain experience but arent sure about the damage entailed in headshots

[thai-jitsu]

Tbh i think amateur mma would be alot better if they allowed headshots with a pair of sparring gloves on! any other ideas ?

Id like to see Am being headshots with sparring gloves on. Theres defo a big difference between 4oz & sparring gloves, so would make a good progression.

However if you dont like Am then just go to semi pro. Am/ junior fights ive saw have had excellent standard of grappling in them. Am is good for wrestlers/ grapplers to transition their game from grappling to MMA, not so good for thai or boxers though, but theyd have experienced being punched anyway.

Do train with Team Viper?

[mmadaft]

I agree with Blackdogmma here, that's what we do with our guy's that have no experience. It also allows them to focus on the importance of grappling in mma. Since wrestling and ground game are the more in depth areas to learn gives them time to develop without having the extra concern of being hit in the face.

If the guy's come in with striking experience or are very agressive with stand up we would devlop them for semi pro straight away.

[kickboxingidiot1]

My personal opinion.
Both schemes have their place. Some people think that Amateur MMA should have head shots with sparring gloves, some believe they should be without Head Shots.
I personally believe that both should exist BUT wether fighting with headshots or not should be decided well in advance i.e. during matchmaking.
As for the issue of learning to fight with headshots, it wouldnt hurt for fighters to have a go at an amateur kickboxing contest to help improve awareness of defending against striking techniques.

[blackdogmma]

Progressively more encompassing competition make great stepping stones for people to move towards pro MMA.

i wouldnt be opposed to having a section between amateur and semi pro that deals with headshots and i can think of several fighters i would put towards this kind of set up.

I only comment on this and other similar threads, to make people aware that amateur MMA does not need fixing or replacing, having attended numerous amateur leagues and fight nights for the last three years, and seen the popularity of such competitions i can say that they are definately filling a need in the market. many league events have 100 matches in a day.

perhap a semi pro league with slightly modified rules is required if enough people think that the move from amateur MMA to semi pro is too big.

[Bateman]

I think amateur would be better with headshots , smaller gloves and the fighters got paid... also , maybe 3 x 5 min rounds ?

[tripoli]

i personaly think that amature should stay the way it is,im no where near ready for headshots i still have to work my stand up but my ground game is good..and if they do decide to bring headshots into amature i think that i would give it up,ive been in amature no head shots fights and i really enjoyed it im gaining experience..thats my views no doubt im gonna get slatted now.but thats how i feel.

[12gauge]

If you dont want head shots at all enter a no-gi grappling competition they are for grapplers and that is what you are!!

MMA has head shots and striking as much as it has wrestling and grappling as part of it. Amatuer MMA should have head shots standing and on the floor as it isnt MMA without it!!

[War]

If you dont want head shots at all enter a no-gi grappling competition they are for grapplers and that is what you are!!

MMA has head shots and striking as much as it has wrestling and grappling as part of it. Amatuer MMA should have head shots standing and on the floor as it isnt MMA without it!!

I agree with most of this, most of the fighters at our gym go in at semi pro, but those who feel a little uneasy often test their sense of distance and timing with boxing or muay thai bouts (of course 10 oz gloves). All our guys compete on the ground - to take away head shots totally alters the game, new stratergies get employed - I have seen amatuer opponents just protect their ribs which is training in some seriously bad habbits when they move up to semi pro. Head shots standing is a must from day one IMO!

As for going straight in with headshots on the ground the 1st time you get the cage door locked behind you......Ouch!!! for those guys who are not fully ready, semi pro provides a realisitic training ground and acts as a solid stepping stone for the move to pro, it also means that those guys who are not totally commited to the sport are afforded a platform on which to test their skills....without getting smashed to f**k on day one n then turning round to their coach n sayin balls to that!......the flip side is that the 50% of guys who won first time or have known no other way will say it's the best thing since sliced bread......

[Hammerfist.tv]

I think its ok as it is

Amateur, No Headshot
Semi Pro - Headshots, not on the ground
Pro - The works

I think its a good system, which works. like a ladder if you must, make small steps to progress.

I have seen semi pro bouts fight with 8oz gloves on too (sparring gloves)

Having amateur with no headshots, helps mix shots and kicks, with takedowns etc, which your not going to experience in just a grappling or no gi contest, so its a great introduction to the sport, fancy hitting someone in the face, then make that step up to semi pro and so on.

[Buts]

So what do people think of the ZT format of head shots all round at amateur level?

[Soldmysoulforabeer]

After doing a AMMA fight the weekend for the 1st time i have to say theres nothing wrong with the rules. If you wanna do head-shots then just enter straight into Semi-Pro rules instead of Ammateur (interclub i did had AMMA and semi-pro rules with bigger gloves). Some people like myself wanna test the waters and see if theyre going in the right direction in progress in MMA, I dont mind having my face smashed in, in the name of fun but i do as my trainer says and if he says "Do this" then i agree as he knows best.


PS: people saying "just enterzz a No-giz comp" i will say i have done so and also a Gi competition and theyre vastly differant.

[TheRealFightClubMMA]

The Real Fight Club's White Collar MMA fights are Amateur rules but allow headshots with 7oz sparring gloves.

Fighters are white collar professionals who want to live the experience of fighting on a professionally produced show in front of their friends family and colleagues, but still be good to go to work the next day.

We are running a show on 29th in Kensington and will be having another early in the New Year. always on the lookout for new fighters.

[shakus maximus]

all my guys go through the levels. a few may go straight in at semi but most work their way up the system
no head shots
head shots standing
pro
my pro fighters have current records of 3-2, 2-2, 1-1, 2-0, 3-0, 3-0, 5-0.
most are under 21 years old so im doing something right
some of the uks best fighters have competed in amateur and semi pro bouts

a lot of the coaches fighters and promoters on this forum that slag off no headshots are the same ones who complain

they say "my guy aint fighting your guy. you said that he was 3-0 but he has had almost 20 fights"
i reply " 17 of his bouts were amateur and semi, you always say that no headshot and semi pro bouts are a waste of time"
they reply "f**k you shaky we aint taking it"

if you dont like no headshot events then dont take part in them, imo there is always a place in mma for it as the hundreds of amateur fights per year that take place proves this.
just my opinion

[blackdogmma]

all my guys go through the levels. a few may go straight in at semi but most work their way up the system
no head shots
head shots standing
pro
my pro fighters have current records of 3-2, 2-2, 1-1, 2-0, 3-0, 3-0, 5-0.
most are under 21 years old so im doing something right
some of the uks best fighters have competed in amateur and semi pro bouts

a lot of the coaches fighters and promoters on this forum that slag off no headshots are the same ones who complain

they say "my guy aint fighting your guy. you said that he was 3-0 but he has had almost 20 fights"
i reply " 17 of his bouts were amateur and semi, you always say that no headshot and semi pro bouts are a waste of time"
they reply "f**k you shaky we aint taking it"

if you dont like no headshot events then dont take part in them, imo there is always a place in mma for it as the hundreds of amateur fights per year that take place proves this.
just my opinion

And yet no matter how many coaches come on here extolling the virtues of Amateur MMA, there will always be those who feel that it should be done away with, or replaced with the already available next tier of competition that is semi pro. They complain about it as if someone was forcing them to do it.

It would be like me complaining bitterly that the gi should be done away with in Judo, because if it was then i would compete in it, despite the fact that i could attend No gi submission comps or wrestling comps that already exist.

[Sherlock]

I can see sides to arguments for all rules. the real confusion is the clasification/naming of rule sets, with am having so many variations and semi pro being more of a UK thing. IMO the best solution is to allow all but classify them better. This is how I see it working better:

Amateur C class 3x3 - no headshots at all
Amateur B class 3x3 or 2x5 - headshots standing only (basically semi pro) either 4oz or 8oz gloves agreed by both camps.
Amateur A class 3x3 - with GNP - 8oz gloves

all amateur no elbows, no heelhook/twisting leg locks, no neck cranks

Then Pro unified rules

I think the semi pro title is confusing but believe MMA is such a diverse sport with fighters coming from different backgrounds that each level of rules has its place for develping individual elements of the game for fighters before turning pro. As long as both fighters and all refs/judges know the rules before the fight there is room for all.

[Augustus Gloop]

If you dont want head shots at all enter a no-gi grappling competition they are for grapplers and that is what you are!!

MMA has head shots and striking as much as it has wrestling and grappling as part of it. Amatuer MMA should have head shots standing and on the floor as it isnt MMA without it!!
this is such a crap arguement

unified rules also include elbow strikes but most mma in uk doesnt allow them...by your arguement it means all these events in the uk aren't mma as they've removed techniques.

mma also allows heel hooks and knee strikes to the head standing & alot of "amateur" & "semi-pro" events also remove these. therefore these too arent mma by your arguement

i think there is a place for all these events in the scheme of developing as a fighter.

[spartan4621]

There is no problem with a lack of head shots in amateur, fighters who want headshots have avenues to pursue in either semi pro or pro mma, meanwhile amateurs can get some experience before deciding if they want to move on.

I moved a fighter up from amateur to semi pro this year and he found the experience gained at amateur very valuable.

Get any losses/nerves or learn any lesson needed before it can show up on your semi pro or pro record.

No one gives a shit about your amateur record when you hit pro.

hit the nail on the head there mate.

[Luke]

I think its ok as it is

Amateur, No Headshot
Semi Pro - Headshots, not on the ground
Pro - The works.

I agree. As for those "tough guys" who think Amateur is pointless cos it's not got headshots I guess those same guys, or their fighters, will have no problem at amateur level and wipe through everyone who fights at that level, right?

Also, I don't buy the "bad habbits" argument that's supposedly gained from doing no headshot amateur. Name me 1 fighter who's gotten knocked out in a pro fight because they did amateur before and got KO'd cos they were protecting their ribs?

[12gauge]

I agree. As for those "tough guys" who think Amateur is pointless cos it's not got headshots I guess those same guys, or their fighters, will have no problem at amateur level and wipe through everyone who fights at that level, right?

I aint no tough guy and never claimed to be one! I dont think Amateur is pointless I believe amateur is massively important but under a different rule set. Not many sports massively bastardise there rule set from amateur to pro like MMA does. I would certainly prefer my guys to have the experience of headshots stood up and on the floor before they hit the pro circuit especially when records are starting to mean a lot more than they used to!!

The problem with amateur at the minute is it is hugely grappling bias. Yes you need a good ground game but at the same time you equally need a good striking game which you dont get to work until semi or even pro!! Seems ridiculous to me. Darren has the right idea in splitting amateur into divisions like A,B and C class all though personally I would do away with the C class.

[shakus maximus]

fighters who have fought no headshots include
zelg galesic
ronnie mann
paul daley
paul jenkins
alex owens
tom blackledge
tim newman
joe duffy
paul reed
denniston sutherland
jeff lawson
paul sutherland
dave lee
jack marshman
martin mcdonough
simon phillips
sol gilbert

hasnt caused any of these any harm

[John@FightersOnly]

If you dont want head shots at all enter a no-gi grappling competition they are for grapplers and that is what you are!!

MMA has head shots and striking as much as it has wrestling and grappling as part of it. Amatuer MMA should have head shots standing and on the floor as it isnt MMA without it!!

^ what he said

amateur MMA with no headshots at all is just shit, i dont see the point of it; Its a nogi match with 20 seconds of leg and body kicks basically. No need for it.

[John@FightersOnly]

I agree. As for those "tough guys" who think Amateur is pointless cos it's not got headshots I guess those same guys, or their fighters, will have no problem at amateur level and wipe through everyone who fights at that level, right?

well, am wit no headshots is essentially a jiu jitsu matc so them 'wiping through everyone' would depend on their jits really; they could easily just test that in a nogi comp without all the cage rigmarole

[bennyj]

I quite like no headshots as a sport/competition I don't mind if its called something else as you are right it is not MMA without the possibility of KO but it is also a different animal from no gi grappling.
Call it submission fighting or something else if you want whatever ..it doesnt matter what its called.

[shakus maximus]

amateur MMA with no headshots at all is just shit, i dont see the point of it; Its a nogi match with 20 seconds of leg and body kicks basically. No need for it.

ah i see now.
i didnt realise no gi included strikes to the body on the floor.
i will start getting my lads into more of these comps:rolleyes:

ive seen so many guys thrown in the deep end and get ko,d get their confidence shattered and quit mma.
some guys are made to enter straight into pro and some are not. no headshots gives fighters with no previous ma background a nice stepping stone. no pressure of ko but still a feel for the nerves and fighting in front of a crowd.
if no head shots aint for you then miss it out but dont criticise it. Those who feel the need to critiscise it have usually never done it
anyone who thinks that it is the same as no gi should come and spar the ruleset with some of my guys and see what their thoughts are after.

lots of top clubs encourage their fighters to fight no head shots such as Trojan, Wolfslair, and SCS, all clubs who have fighters at the top level. That speaks volumes for the need of this type of comp.

grapple and strike and the combat sports open trials have been running succesfully for years so obviously there is a market for it.

[12gauge]

fighters who have fought no headshots include
zelg galesic
ronnie mann
paul daley
paul jenkins
alex owens
tom blackledge
tim newman
joe duffy
paul reed
denniston sutherland
jeff lawson
paul sutherland
dave lee
jack marshman
martin mcdonough
simon phillips
sol gilbert

hasnt caused any of these any harm

Not really an argument that is it!! Maybe they competed in this format because they had no other option in the UK at amateur level.


ive seen so many guys thrown in the deep end and get ko,d get their confidence shattered and quit mma.
some guys are made to enter straight into pro and some are not.

There is the problem guys are being thrown in at the deep end this is only due to there coaches or team. I wouldnt dream of entering one of my guys into a fight without the relivant skills stood up and on the ground. There is no such thing as guys that are made to enter straight at Pro! All fighters should take an amateur route first it is how you build a successful career! Unfortunately for them, amateur isn't true MMA so they get forced down turning pro!!


no headshots gives fighters with no previous ma background a nice stepping stone. no pressure of ko but still a feel for the nerves and fighting in front of a crowd.


Nerves are nerves you can get the same adrenalin dump competing in a no-gi tournamnet in front of a crowd as you can in a cage competing in front of a crowd.


if no head shots aint for you then miss it out but dont criticise it. Those who feel the need to critiscise it have usually never done it
anyone who thinks that it is the same as no gi should come and spar the ruleset with some of my guys and see what their thoughts are after.


I have competed under all the rule sets available in MMA and have worked with guys competing under all rule sets so have a fairly decent knowledge of what it is like!! I have experienced first, hand both sets of rules so can make an educated opinion on what is better!!

Why should I not criticise? I want an amateur rule set that allows fighters to compete under the rules they will have to use when they turn pro essentially. I don't want it labelled as semi pro which is a nonesense term! Surely it is about advancing athe sport.

[MMAlien]

Both parties have good arguments...me personally I could never fight no headshots alone, I love the idea of bigger gloves headshots on the floor. I never want to be a pro fighter, but I want to fight the closest thing to pro MMA as possible without ever having to become a professional athlete....I haven't got the time to become a pro. I do think that no headshots has it's place....but not for me....should be down to individual choice based on the fighters skill set. I'm looking to make my mma debut next year on either amma rules or headshots on the floor with bigger gloves. As a non pro I don't like the idea of getting hit in the head with four once gloves, as a carer I can't have a messed up face . I have gained valuable experience from entering muay thai interclubs which makes up for my striking and plan on entering grappling comps for grappling experience! But as I said each to their own though :-)

[shakus maximus]

I have competed under all the rule sets available in MMA and have worked with guys competing under all rule sets so have a fairly decent knowledge of what it is like!! I have experienced first, hand both sets of rules so can make an educated opinion on what is better!!

im not questioning you as a fighter or coach and I respect you as both mate. youve been in this sport for a long time. But i think that it is wrong to say "lets do away with no headshot bouts" when there is obviously a market for it.


Not really an argument that is it!! Maybe they competed in this format because they had no other option in the UK at amateur level.

all could have fought at semi, b class or full pro but they fought no headshots so it is am argument.


Nerves are nerves you can get the same adrenalin dump competing in a no-gi tournamnet in front of a crowd as you can in a cage competing in front of a crowd.

not really as more and more shows are holding no headshot bouts in there undercards in a ring/cage in front of big crowds so it is a totally different enviroment


Why should I not criticise? I want an amateur rule set that allows fighters to compete under the rules they will have to use when they turn pro essentially. I don't want it labelled as semi pro which is a nonesense term! Surely it is about advancing athe sport.

i agree with you on this. I think there is a place for bouts with G&P with bigger gloves. there needs to be a unified terminolgy for all rulesets as said earlier. ie class a, class b etc.
But I stand by what ive said. there IS A NEED for no headshot bouts as some fighters need to walk before they run.
i see nothing wrong with a fighter taking the following path -
no headshots - headshots standing - G & P Big gloves - Full Pro. or a fighter doing G&P with big gloves - full pro
both have a place in our sport

Jack Marshman has been with me since 15 yrs of age. I could have put him strait in to fights with G&P but i decided to go down the route of no headshots - headshots standing - Full Pro. He is a perfect example of the benefits of the ruleset.


as i said earlier some of my guys have gone straight into pro some have started no headshots. its horses for courses

[Esputahlo]

i think no headshots at amatuer has many benefits, some people who compete in the grapple and strike and the ml trials are just people doing mma for a hobby and have no intention of going pro and want to test themselves in a fight but can go into a fight knowing they will be fine for work on monday morning.

and the other side is its a great base for starting out in the sport, i dont think i could have have gone straight in at semi-pro. so i have gone the amatuer route fighting in the grapple and strike and on fight nights and also fighting c-class pro muay thai. have gone 8-0 so far. and i think it has set me up perfectly for semi pro.

all in all i think its a great stepping stone and a good confidence builder for fighters.

but i suppose everone has a different opinion on this matter.

[scrappymma]

I think its ok as it is

Amateur, No Headshot
Semi Pro - Headshots, not on the ground
Pro - The works

I think its a good system, which works. like a ladder if you must, make small steps to progress.

I have seen semi pro bouts fight with 8oz gloves on too (sparring gloves)

Having amateur with no headshots, helps mix shots and kicks, with takedowns etc, which your not going to experience in just a grappling or no gi contest, so its a great introduction to the sport, fancy hitting someone in the face, then make that step up to semi pro and so on.


I have to say I really disagree with you here mate. I personally think Amateur should incorporate headshots but with strict refereeing, early stoppages. To have semi-pro with no headshots on the ground is ridiculous as the jump from not being allowed to be hit in the head on the floor at semi pro level to being allowed to be elbowed in the face at pro is too big. All Amateur fights should at the very least allow headshots standing otherwise it's just too unrealistic. It is MMA after all, if you don't want to be punched do a grappling tourney. It comes down to the refereeing, as soon as someone takes a couple of big shots, standing or on the ground, stop the fight. Just my humble opinion.

[BenA]

I think it should be split in to multiple sections of amt as someone said earlier.

body shots on the ground change the game significantly, it's probably not going to make you tap or the ref stop it but it does force you to cover up, move etc. it messes with your head and makes it more difficult to think.
It teaches you not to let people posture up etc.
We were training last week and included body shots on the ground and i sucked, a person i usually had not too much trouble with battered me. He took me down and the just constantly hammered at my body and legs, it didn't hurt but it was difficult to think and set up subs. he controlled me and it was really frustrating as i knew what i should be doing but just couldn't think straight.
Also it make different positions have more options. for example lying in side control hammer fisting the body or throwing knees instead of looking for mount or a sub becomes quite effective. Also salavary but instead of hitting the face just turn and start hitting the body, with no arms to defend yourself it's painful and scary.
This is why it's different from a grappling comp and i think it should stay.

however there should be 3 levels
no headshots
headshots standing 6oz gloves
headshot standing and on floor 6 oz
then pro

not sure where i would introduce knees standing though as they're still pretty brutal...

[blackdogmma]

PROBLEMS IN ICE CREAM MANUFACTURING!

Evrybody knows that vanilla and chocolate are the only essential flavours of ice cream needed, we should do away with the rest.

I personally would never eat any other flavour of ice cream, eating banana flavour would be a clear afront to my masculinity.

If you want to eat poncey flavours like strawberry go buy a fucking yoghurt!

[12gauge]

all could have fought at semi, b class or full pro but they fought no headshots so it is am argument.


But that wouldn't be an amateur career then, it would be semi or pro!


not really as more and more shows are holding no headshot bouts in there undercards in a ring/cage in front of big crowds so it is a totally different enviroment


It may be in a different enviroment but nerves still manifest themselves in the same way 'Flight or Fight'.


i agree with you on this. I think there is a place for bouts with G&P with bigger gloves. there needs to be a unified terminolgy for all rulesets as said earlier. ie class a, class b etc.
But I stand by what ive said. there IS A NEED for no headshot bouts as some fighters need to walk before they run.
i see nothing wrong with a fighter taking the following path -
no headshots - headshots standing - G & P Big gloves - Full Pro. or a fighter doing G&P with big gloves - full pro
both have a place in our sport


I think this is the solution like Darren said earlier. I really dislike the term semi pro it is pointless. As much as I would like to get rid of no headshot mma tbh it will most likely stay the solution to rule sets is to split amateur into 3 classes A,B and C. Do away with semi pro all together!


i think no headshots at amatuer has many benefits, some people who compete in the grapple and strike and the ml trials are just people doing mma for a hobby and have no intention of going pro and want to test themselves in a fight but can go into a fight knowing they will be fine for work on monday morning.


Problem with this is we can't create our rule sets for the sport based on people who do it as a hobby they have to be created around the best way to advance the athletes to pro level!

[daviidwilson]

My personal opinion.
Both schemes have their place. Some people think that Amateur MMA should have head shots with sparring gloves, some believe they should be without Head Shots.
I personally believe that both should exist BUT wether fighting with headshots or not should be decided well in advance i.e. during matchmaking.
As for the issue of learning to fight with headshots, it wouldnt hurt for fighters to have a go at an amateur kickboxing contest to help improve awareness of defending against striking techniques.


i wouldnt be opposed to having a section between amateur and semi pro that deals with headshots and i can think of several fighters i would put towards this kind of set up.

I only comment on this and other similar threads, to make people aware that amateur MMA does not need fixing or replacing, having attended numerous amateur leagues and fight nights for the last three years, and seen the popularity of such competitions i can say that they are definately filling a need in the market. many league events have 100 matches in a day.



___________________
watch movies online (http://moviesonlinefree.biz/)

[Barracuda187]

Interesting discussion, especially Blackdog with his icecream input :D

I guess the fundemental problem is what we are trying to do is regress from proffessional rules to prepare fighters for going professional. The way I look at it though is amateur MMA does have its place in developing your clinch grappling skills, however if you want the head shots fight K1 rules, or Thai Semi pro or even kick boxing untill you feel ready to go semi-pro or pro. No head shots in amateur MMA is a bummer if your a striker but thats just the way it is, its about how you adapt to those rules and what you can get from it! Thats just my thoughts. Stay cool yo!

[blackdogmma]

Interesting discussion, especially Blackdog with his icecream input :D

I guess the fundemental problem is what we are trying to do is regress from proffessional rules to prepare fighters for going professional. The way I look at it though is amateur MMA does have its place in developing your clinch grappling skills, however if you want the head shots fight K1 rules, or Thai Semi pro or even kick boxing untill you feel ready to go semi-pro or pro. No head shots in amateur MMA is a bummer if your a striker but thats just the way it is, its about how you adapt to those rules and what you can get from it! Thats just my thoughts. Stay cool yo!

;) and there was me thinking my argument from personal incredulity had been missed.

oh and daviidwilson is clearly a bot or spam account as in its answer to kickboxingidiot1's post that it quotes above, it copy and pastes an earlier post of mine verbatim.

Fucker!

[I Andy Ess I]

i dont mind the amateur rules,when i fight it will need to be amateur cos im 15 but would be good to do some damage with a pair of sparring gloves on

[TheMonk!!]

dive head first into sparring in the gym , just go for it, get your head knocked off and be put into the worst situations possible for a few weeks and when you start kicking the crap outa your partners when you get in the cage at ammy level you will feel fine

[I Andy Ess I]

i know mate, been training for ages. took some big punches in sparring just thought it would be good to see what people thought about my idea ?

[JohnJunior]

Most of these are valid arguments, but i for one definately agree that we should keep amateur with no head shots. I've commentated on 3 different rule sets for amateurs and they all have their place. My biggest concern and one that has been overlooked is safety; in a sport with no formal controls over promoters, no insurance for 'cage fighting', no purse for most amateurs and no mandatory screening for brain conditions and blood disease, it is a HUGE risk. No head shots comps is still valuable experience and someone pointed out the list of top level fighters that have trodden the boards through the open trials etc and have come out better for it. Whats the hurry? I think its essential that people aren't pushed to fight under a risky rule set in front of crowds and cameras. It will help not to discourage people and make those with ambition more hungry. Personally, and I know its controversial, but i dont think that any amateur bouts should include head shots due to the risks. There is a reason that the BBBoC make amateur people fight with oversized gloves and head guards and why they brain MRI all those that want to fight without head guards and lighter gloves. Why are we any different? Why should we not want some protection for our peers?