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07/08/2005 Archived Entry: "Chicago Boxing Promoter Bobby Hitz Speaks Out!"
Chicago Boxing Promoter Bobby Hitz Speaks Out!
By Juan C. Ayllon
CHICAGO, July 6, 2005 – It was the middle of a sunny afternoon when Chicago boxing promoter Bobby Hitz called this writer. He was returning a call concerning a former fighter of his, Matt Barber, who recently made minor headlines over his firing by Allstate. Barber had posted religious based views regarding homosexual rights, marriage and his Christian viewpoint at some Internet site on his own time and lost his job for it. “He is a good guy,” Hitz said. “I hear he’s got a good lawyer. Give him a call.”
After expressing empathy for his former charge and providing Barber’s cell number, the tone of Hitz’ conversation shifted gears.
He spoke very openly about disappointment over disloyalty in boxing these days compared to days past, his relationship with Don King, as well as where Hitz Boxing Promotions was going. An exclusive interview with the Cyber Boxing Zone quickly followed.
A native of Chicago, Bobby Hitz won a Golden Gloves title over the course of just a few amateur fights, and became a professional heavyweight fighter. According to www.boxrec.com, his first bout on June 25, 1985 resulted in a TKO win in the first round against one Danny Greenhill. He went on to compile a record of 15-5-0 (10 KO’s), which included a knockout loss to George Foreman in September of 1988.
Training at the famed Kronk Gym, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Michael Moorer, Tommy Hearns, and famed trainer Emmanuel Stewart, Hitz had the distinction of becoming manager Jackie Kallen’s first fighter in 1988. Kallen—portrayed by Meg Ryan in the movie, “Against the Ropes”—received wide acclaim as a female boxing manager, eventually developing and guiding James Toney to a middleweight title victory over Michael Nunn. Hitz, who began focusing more on developing fighters for Kallen following his loss to Foreman, played a role in helping train James Toney for his victory over Nunn.
A quick study, eventually, Hitz moved back to Chicago where he began his own successful career as a boxing promoter. He established a presence in Chicago under the banner, Hitz Boxing Promotions, hosting area shows regularly in Chicago and helping guide a number of fighters to national and world rankings, title fights, and titles.
However, this last year has seen a decline in the number of shows produced by Hitz, prompting some to speculate. Moreover, his direct manner with people, combined with an imposing physical presence and his confident swagger, has helped create misunderstandings. Hitz wanted to clear the air on these and other issues on his mind.
On how business used to be in Chicago when he first started out:
BOBBY HITZ: It was just [former heavyweight contender turned promoter] Ernie Terrell and myself and there was a ton of respect on both parts. I mean that to me, whether a fighter was under a contract or not under contract, the fact that—you know, Ernie—the guy climbs his [Terrell’s] three steps, to me, I perceive that to be his fighter and I can’t tell you how many times if Ernie wasn’t running, his guys would call me and say, you know, ‘Can I fight with you?’ and I would say, ‘Well, no, you’re with Ernie.’ And they would say, ‘Well, we don’t have a contract,’ and I would say, ‘Well, to me, you’re with Ernie and I can’t do anything about it’.
We respected each other’s venues, even to the point where I would allow Ernie Terrell to come to my fights and pass out his literature for his upcoming fights.
Where would you ever see that happening here? That would never happen.
And to me, you know, Ernie’s a boxing guy; I’m a boxing guy. I really question if these other people that are doing boxing right now are really boxing guys. For some reason, they think that everything should be granted to them and, unfortunately, it’s not the facts.
On integrity and the lack thereof in boxing:
BOBBY HITZ: I just have a different approach. I’m respectful of everybody’s position and even—you know the history—‘Super Manager’ Pat Doljanin. [Editor’s note: Doljanin’s fighter, Al “Speedy” Gonzales used to fight for Hitz] He could even tell you that when one of his fighters was calling me to do something and I called him up, I said, ‘Pat, your fighter’s calling me.’ And he was like, ‘Geez, I can’t believe you’re calling me.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m not the kind of guy that would do that.’
I’m a big believer in doing the right things, and based on integrity. And so, you know, you had detailed to me something that you thought I was doing and that’s not [true]. You know, people talk a lot of sh—[expletive] in boxing. 99 percent of it isn’t true.
So, to me, boxing’s become a different world and I don’t know if I have the wherewithal to get down and become that unscrupulous and conniving. I’m not that way. I’m a very straightforward dealing guy and, even with you, Juan, if I have something on my mind, I talk with you about it. I’m not a sneaky person. And, I don’t take things that aren’t mine, and my parents didn’t raise me that way.
How do you have integrity in a business that has none? That’s a very hard position for me to be in, where my word and my handshake still mean something. Not a lot of guys in this business that do.
You know, I did multi-million dollar deals with [promoter] Art Pellulo on a handshake. Who can do that? Who can do that? I did a hundreds of thousands of dollar deal with ‘Golden Boy’ [Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional firm] on a handshake. Where does that happen? Where does that happen?
You know, at some point, your word has to mean something. And, unfortunately in this business, they mistake kindness for weakness. And, you know what? That’s not correct.
Even fighters, you know: you might go and build a kid to 10, 12, 15 and 0 without a contract. Well, I didn’t need a contract to get you to that point, did I? I did my job for you as if I had a contract, so what’s the difference? What’s the integrity of the individual?
A contract is only as good as the guy that signs it. If the guy that signs it has no integrity, that signature isn’t going to take you far.
Unfortunately, this business is made up of a lot of ‘users’. And, when a kid turns pro, how can I use him as a promoter? You hope I can get you in a position that there’s something to use, because then that means that everyone can make good money. But, when a kid turns pro and he’s 0 and 0, how can I as a promoter use him? I can’t. He needs me to develop him, get him to 10, 12, 15 and 0 before there’s anything to talk about. So, shouldn’t that work output count for itself? You know what I mean? If a guy gets you to the 15 and 0, and you come to him and say, ‘Well, we don’t have a contract,’ why do I need a contract? You know, isn’t there any ethics in there?
That’s my fault and my problem for thinking that ethics, handshakes all mean something. They don’t. I mean, they don’t! You know, they don’t with a lot of people. With some, they do, but with more people, they don’t mean something than with some that they do.
I got told a long time ago from [promoters] Cedrick Kushner, Bob Arum told me, ‘Every fighter, you have to sign.’ And you know what? They were right. Art Pellulo told me how I should be operating my business. He’s like, ‘You’re too nice to these guys. You give them too much; you’re too open for them.’ You know, and I’m like, ‘Well, I believe there’s going to be that one guy who’s going to recognize that.’
I haven’t found him so far, but I will find him. [Laughing] You know?
On rumors that he was suing Don King over arrangements in the Golota-Brewster fight card:
BOBBY HITZ: That’s not even the case at all. There were those who would have loved for there to be a lawsuit, but at the end of the day, it’s his TV date, it’s his fighter and it’s his to do. I mean, him and I know what our agreement was and what our arrangement was and that’s fine. He knows and I know what we talked about and what we discussed. And, unless somebody was at that table, they don’t know.
I participated to the point to where we agreed for what my participation would be, so I don’t know what anybody’s talking about. [Laughing] You know, it’s that sensationalism; everyone wants to speculate.
Don’s a friend, and Don is ‘Boxing’ and, you know to me, everybody saw me walking around with a credential on the main floor and that I got introduced at the press conference. Who could say I wasn’t involved? You know, [Blind R & B recording star] Stevie Wonder could see I was involved!
On his lawsuit against Chicago promoter Dominic Pesoli:
BOBBY HITZ: Oh, you know, I have an existing contract with Oscar Bravo and Dominic thinks he can do what he wants. So, we’ll see. The judge will decide that.
On some of the accomplishments as a boxing promoter:
BOBBY HITZ: I did everything I that I set out to accomplish in boxing locally. There hasn’t been anything that I haven’t done. So, what is there really for me to do? I don’t feel challenged anymore. I’m kind of half bored with it, and I’m waiting for that next superstar to come along, you know, like was always there.
If you look at my output over the last 12 or 14 years, I mean, I’ve always been the guy that’s done the most shows and kept the guys the most busy, but—more importantly—brought the guys to where they should be in boxing, whether it’s minor titles, world title fights, world rankings, things of that nature.
I mean, look at the fighters who I’ve developed to world and world title fights and things like that—Anthony Jones, Angel Hernandez, O’Neal Bell, J.C. Candelo, Chris Thomas, Joey DeGrandis. Going way back, Rocky Martinez got his first title fight after he had all those fights with me. I can go back to Mike Garcia when he turned down Boom Boom Johnson for a shot at the IBF World Featherweight title because he had a cold. I mean, going way back. Those fighters I named are world rankings, NABF titles, NABA titles. Oh, Fernando Hernandez is another guy.
Bell and those guys either garnered a world title or opportunity because of my position. Guys are being kept busy. All of those guys have either won a belt fought for a world title, garnered a world ranking or had an opportunity to do all the above.
Who here locally has done that? Nobody. Nobody else has even brought anybody to the top 10 in the world.
I gave opportunities to Jermaine Marks, Oscar Bravo, Frankie Randall, Pat Thorns, Anwar Oshana, all these guys I’ve mentioned have either won a belt or a shot at a belt or ranking.
I had Antonio Tarver fight Reggie Johnson to garner his number one ranking to fight for the world title at the Ramada Inn; I did that with Art Pellulo, but I was involved in the production all across the board. I know what goes on in this business. I am confident in what I’m doing to keep doing what I’m doing. At the end of the day, it’s about getting to the top and I’ve been there several times. I did my job.
I had guys who had opportunities to become something—Oscar Bravo, Germaine Sanders—the fact that they didn’t pass the test, that’s not my fault. You know what I mean? They had an opportunity to become something.
And, when Oscar Bravo got knocked out in 32 seconds, I didn’t turn my back on him. I was right there with him saying, ‘Come on, let’s get right back on the horse and let’s go do something.’ How many guys in this business would say, ‘Oh, this guy can’t hang’? You know what I’m saying? I’m with my guys win, lose or draw. I love all my fighters and I’m with them. Whether they win or lose, I’m with them. I don’t turn my back on them.
When Rudy Cisneros got knocked out by that kid, I’m the one who said, ‘Come on, come with me.’ You know what I mean? [I said,]‘That’s okay, I believe in you.’
And, that hasn’t afforded me not one ounce of loyalty from anybody. Nobody. That’s a sad commentary. You know, there’s other guys that are loyal; they know who they are, and so that statement isn’t meant for them.
On where Hitz Boxing Promotions is headed:
BOBBY HITZ: I’m picking my spots now. I’ve done all the big fights, the things of that nature. You know, I did that. What does it mean? The way I do it and the way somebody else does it are two different ways. I know what my involvement was, can’t anybody else say the same thing. A lot of what is going on right now is smoke and mirrors and lawyers figure and figures don’t lie.
At the end of the day, the Freitas show, for example, I know what my involvement was and I know what I got to do. I don’t know if anybody else can say the same thing about the big shows that they’re doing. But at the end of the day, the truth will set you free.
And the more important thing is the last two years I’ve kind of let my business run on autopilot, cause I took a couple years off to really spend some time with my child. You know, I have a nine-year-old son that needs my time and attention. And life, you know, our children are our most important asset. And so to me, the fact that I was able to run my business and do things, something had to suffer. It wasn’t going to be my son. I made a conscious effort to be there for my child. Over business, over money, over anything, my child needs to know that I’m there for him. And that’s important.
And, that’s why, to me, I’ve taken a step back and just said, ‘Listen, I’m going to pick my spots. I’m not going to drive myself crazy over things that shouldn’t be and I’m going to do my thing. It’s summertime and my kid’s off school, we’re going to spend time riding our dirt bikes and hanging out, you know, and I’ll get some boxing in there in the interim. Life is good!
Eddie White, who just got out of prison, in 96 he won the IBO Super Middleweight title; he was my first world champion. And so, he just got out and he’s 18-0 and we’re going back with him again.
I’m taking a breather. I know I don’t have the roster I had 12 years ago. That’s evolution. I have some shows planned and I have some other deals pending and I’m just going to keep my thing small and tight and just keep delivering guys to the world rankings and things of that nature that no one else has been able to produce.
I mean, if my guys fight, they fights for a purpose and a reason, not just money. They fight for an opportunity to elevate their career.
On being misunderstood:
BOBBY HITZ: And when you have some fighters that don’t recognize that—and there are guys who have never done business with me that want to talk about me—well, they’ve never done any business with me. How can they even talk about me?
You know, jealousy is a crazy, scary thing. Fortunately for me, I don’t have a jealous bone in my body. I want to see everybody succeed. And, you know, when an Al Gonzales loses his fight and I call Pat Doljanin and tell him, ‘Geez, I’m sorry you lost,’ that comes from my heart ‘cause you know what? I know how bad he wanted to win.
Now a guy like Pat, Pat does a good job. Pat’s a good talker…Pat, you’ve got to give him his due, you know. So many people are afraid to step up and pat somebody on the back and say, ‘Hey, you did a good job.’
You know, I like everybody until they f— [expletive] with me. If you f— [expletive] with me, you’ll have a problem. If you’re fair with me, you got a friend and ally for life; if you want to mess with me, then guess what: you know, then, there’s another problem there.
And people can’t understand a guy like that. I say it how it is, you know. And, I say what I mean and I mean what I say. I can wake up every day and feel good with who I am because I know that I have integrity and I know that my word means something and that honorability means something. And, I know that that’s probably in the Lilly-white world, it’s a good way to think, and it doesn’t work in the business world. But, you know what? It works in my world.
And, I know that there’s been mistakes that I’ve made and things that I’ve done that I probably shouldn’t have done and should have protected myself a little more.
I’m a very complex person, but I’m also very misunderstood. And I believe at times, that’s really bothersome to me at times because I’m as straight as the day is long and I tell you how it is.
People fear a person who’s not afraid to speak their mind. People don’t know how to take something because so many of us go through life and take whatever sh— [expletive] that people want to give you. I’m not like that; I don’t care who it is because I’m a person, I count for something, and it’s like none of us should ever have to take grief from anybody. If somebody does me wrong and I’m not afraid to call you on it, it doesn’t make me a bad guy. It makes me a guy that knows what’s going on around me.
But, see, that’s what I talk about, Juan, being misunderstood. People know everything about me, but they know nothing about me. They don’t know anything about me! They don’t know what makes me tick. They don’t know what my thoughts, my ideas are. And, to me, I’m the nicest guy in the world until you step on my feet. Then, I’m going to tell you, ‘Hey, you stepped on my toe and I don’t like it.’
And so, if right now, people say, ‘Well, geez, you haven’t done a show since April.’ Yeah, but I’ve still done five shows in seven months. The fact that I did, at the end of the year 10, 12, 15 shows, what did it gain me? It gained me nothing. It’s not like [fighters featured on his shows say] ‘Bobby Hitz is our guy and they’re going to throw a ticker tape for me.’ They’re going to wait around for the next guy who comes along and offers them something better.
See, you’re only as good as what you did today in this business.
And, so our position as a promoter is never, ever, ever cemented. Even if you have a contract, you still have to fight for your position. So, at the end of the day, this thing only becomes as good as the people you surround yourself with. And, that’s where I’m at in my boxing career: I’m looking to surround myself with just a few good men—outsiders aren’t welcome—and I’m getting back to the basics because to be larger than life and to do big things, like Don King, Don King is a very misunderstood guy.
You know, you said to me I was suing him. Well, why on earth would I sue Don King? I understand Don King. I have no reason to sue Don King. Don King is my friend. But because people don’t understand him, because Don King drives his own ship, people are intimidated. People are intimidated by success!
And to me, I’ve been successful and for one reason: ‘cause I got to wake up everyday and do what I wanted to do with my life. And, I’m an eighth grade graduate. How many guys can say that?
Because I’m not afraid to take a challenge and I’m not afraid to stand up and conquer, it doesn’t make me a bad guy.
But I know Don’s misunderstood—very misunderstood! And guys who’ve never done an ounce of business will tell you everything about Don King. They’ll tell you every bad story about Don King. Well, how much business have you done with Don King? So, how can you sit there and talk about the guy?
My parents told me a long time ago: treat people how they treat you. That’s a lesson I’ve learned and applied during my whole entire life. I’ve treated people how they’ve treated me. You treat me fair, I’m going to be fair to you. One thing that I’ve done differently is even if you didn’t treat me fair, I’m still fair to you, because that’s who I am.
If I was such a bad guy, I wouldn’t be on TV a lot, I wouldn’t be on the radio a lot, I wouldn’t have feature stories in the magazines if I was a bad guy. And the stories wouldn’t be good stories—they’d all be bad and negative, right? So, to me, the ‘he said, she said’ stuff should just stop.
And to me, it’s just like Don; people talk about him everyday—what a bad guy he is and what this and what that. You know, to me, Don is not a bad guy. He’s a great businessman, period, end of story. It doesn’t make him a bad guy. Just because you don’t understand him doesn’t make him a bad guy. Right?
And for someone to tell you that I was going to sue him—for what reason? Because Andrew Golota isn’t my fighter, because HBO gave him the date not me—how would I sue him? Our agreement was a handshake and a hug and guess what? I have no problem with Don. I was involved, I had my credential, so, there’s no issue, so I can’t believe people would actually say that. That’s crazy.
You know, there’s a whole host of issues with boxing, so you know, it’s trying to stay tried and true to yourself and your beliefs in what to do and here, I’m not the smartest guy in the world and the smart guy knows what he doesn’t know. And, if there’s something I don’t know, I’ll go seek out the advice of my contemporaries to help me through the deal.
But, boxing’s a thing that I have instincts for and a lot of times guys can’t understand what you say to them because they don’t have any knowledge. You know, lack of knowledge, [and] lack of communication are two very dangerous things. That creates that unknown, and ‘unknown’ is uncomfortable.
People are always afraid of the unknown. And so, like I said before, boxing is made up of 99 percent speculation, so don’t ever speculate that Bobby Hitz is going out of boxing, because the day I’m out of boxing is the day I want to be out of boxing. I’m just not going to allow myself to get taken advantage because, you know what? In my heart of hearts, I took advantage of nobody, and I challenge anybody to say that I did. I’ll have a debate with them. Who did I ever take advantage of? Nobody.
All I’ve done is provide opportunity. If a fighter can’t pass an opportunity, don’t blame me.
On how his fighters come first:
BOBBY HITZ: But, you know what? I’m forgiving. You know, my fighters have always come first. And, they probably would never recognize that till they’re 45 years old and their career is over with and you sit back and you think about the real deal—you know, you think about the ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ves’—you know, and it’s like, ‘Hitz didn’t treat me half bad.’
Look at the fighters I’ve built up over the years. You know, my credentials speak for themselves. Any real fighter that wants to be a real fighter, my game plan is what the game plan that should be followed. For a guy who wants to bull— [expletive] and sell some tickets and go and have a handful of bull— [expletive] fights, well, I’m not that guy. ‘Cause, unfortunately, if you come in second in this business, that means you’ve lost. I’m not big in coming in second. You know, I want winners. And, if I, as your promoter, believe more in you than you believe in you, there’s a problem.
Look at the David Diaz’ fight versus the kid [Kendall Holt] he got knocked out by. Why did he even take that fight? It’s about maximizing your opportunities at a certain level and not fighting just to fight. If you’re number two in the world, you don’t fight a dangerous fight just to fight. My guys pick their spots.
Our job is to protect the fighters. It’s our job to direct the fighters to put the fighters first, to do the best for them.
On the highlights of his career as a boxer:
BOBBY HITZ: You know, the fact that I won more than I lost is a highlight. But, I was always very real about my career and, looking back, I’d be a better fighter now than I ever was because I get it now: being a fighter isn’t that hard of a deal, compared to what we do now. And, anybody that thinks different, I’ll trade places with them any day.
The first part of my career was fun. It was fun; I had a great time—brought a lot of people to fights, life was great. But, then when it got to be real, boy, boxing took on a whole different meaning to me. Sitting back and watching Roberto Duran and Iran Barkley war it out in that fight, I told my manager, ‘I want to have every fight like that; every fight I have, I want to have like that.’ And, I had some that realized that and some that hadn’t.
But, to me, that’s when I knew I became a real fighter, because I knew what to give. And, unfortunately, my time wasn’t too much longer after that. But, if I would have recognized early on what I needed to do, it would have been a different deal. But, I only had three amateur fights and I turned pro.
But, I had spent probably a good four or five years in the gym, learning how to throw a jab, learning things, and won a Golden Glove Championship before I entertained the thought of turning pro.
I told Jackie [Kallen] when I got to Detroit, I asked to get the hardest trainer. There was a guy named Eddie Carr, father of Oba Carr. He was a guy I admired who was a tough, tough trainer, whereas Bill Miller, who is going to give you all the technical ability, but you’re going to have to make the rest work for yourself. Bill Miller trained nine world champions…he was a Kronk Trainer; Manny [Stewart] used to come in and do the cleanup. I had Bill Miller, Keith Lee (the pad guy) and Greg Rice was another technical guy who worked on your skills—your jab working on the jab. It was something I wasn’t’ used to. Whoever said boxing wasn’t a team sport didn’t have those opportunities.
When I came back to Chicago, people thought I was speaking a foreign language.
On the honor of being a fighter:
BOBBY HITZ: It’s an honor to be a fighter. And fighters are held in very high accord in many walks of life. It’s not for everybody and you should be proud of that.
I can remember being in Detroit with the guys from Kronk. We were having dinner with guys like Jimmy Paul, Gerald McClellan. I think James Toney might have been there.
At other tables, there were members of the Detroit Lions—the Quarterback I think was Bob Galliano…and nobody would even talk to them; people kept coming up to us. If this was Chicago and they were the Bears, they wouldn’t be able to eat! It told us that in Detroit you [a fighter] were held in very high esteem. It’s a very special thing to be a fighter.
On ‘sideshow’ boxing and showcasing former athletes from other sports with limited boxing experience in a main boxing venue:
BOBBY HITZ: I’m not into the sideshow, taking guys that spent 18 months in the gym and that makes them a fighter. To me, that’s the biggest insult to the sport of boxing, for any guy who’s ever laced on the gloves for real. To make a claim that a guy’s been 18 months in the gym and that makes him a fighter? That’s insulting! It’s insulting. That’s insulting to every fighter who’s ever done this thing for real, to think all it takes is 18 months to become what you are. That’s bull— [expletive].
But, that’s okay. You know, everybody has their own idea of what boxing is. I’m a purist. I’m a purist from the word go and I’m passionate about what I do. And, you know, I challenge anybody to go train 18 months to be able to play in the NFL. You couldn’t do it. Right?
So, why does boxing become bastardized because there’s guys out there that do that? You know. If you’re looking at it as a hobby, go fight amateur. That insults the Bill Millers of the world!
Listen here: a world championship isn’t in everyone’s genes. Every fighter serves a purpose. You know, every fighter serves a purpose on any level, whether it’s an opponent, a contender, a young prospect, a local popular kid—every guy serves a purpose.
You know, everybody in this game has a purpose, but champions are born, they’re not created. That was a statement I never believed until I was around it. I used to say, ‘Naw, that’s BS.’ But, a champion’s mentality and heart are what comes from within, and boxing is not something that not everybody does. And I just think there’s a certain level of integrity and respect that needs to go along with it and not cheapen it by sideshow acts. Because, that doesn’t do anything; it’s a short-term fix.
At the end of the day, if you’re going to be anything in this business, being a real fighter is the only way to be. If you’re going to be anything—or being a really good opponent—that comes from your heart as to what you desire to be. You know, when guys start fighting for the money, and the money only, you shouldn’t even be in this business anymore, because that’s when you’re going to get hurt.
I had my opportunity to turn certain guys pro that, you know, aren’t your mainstream boxer kind of guys and we decided against it because this thing is for real. I mean, it’s real [laughing]. And, when you start putting the smoke and mirrors up, when that all clears and you’ve got some big S.O.B. wanting to knock your head off, you know, what do you do? You know?
On how ESPN and non-‘boxing guys’ have changed the sport of boxing:
BOBBY HITZ: I’ve seen boxing change since ESPN has cut their rights fees. It’s changed a lot of things and it’s changed almost overnight. There isn’t the money that was there before from the networks at a certain level and it’s just a lot of the fighters have changed; you have a lot more guys that aren’t really boxing people involved in boxing.
And, I guess it’s a free country—everybody can do what they want to do—but when you have people detailing the way boxing goes that have never, ever done what they’re talking about, and you have fighters believing it, it creates a false sense of what reality is.
It’s like sitting in jail, and there’s always that one guy locked up with you that’s the ‘Jailhouse Attorney’ and they give you that, ‘What are you in for, what are you in for…oh, this is a class act, you’re going to get…” and here’s one guy who hasn’t read one law book, you know, he spent his whole life being locked up.
It’s like, just because a guy watches fights or hits a bag in his garage does not make him a boxing guy. But these are the guys some of these young kids listen to and follow them blindly.
Unfortunately, you have a lot of individuals in this business who don’t know what they’re doing. Because they have a pinky ring and a gold watch, that makes them a manager, and they end up f—ing [expletive] things up more than they do helping it. So, there’s a lot of problems with boxing.
On learning the business of boxing correctly:
BOBBY HITZ: It takes so much time to learn this business. There’s no handbook on how to be in boxing. You have to be around it. And the way I was around it was the real way: I was here locally, left here, went to Michigan, was around a world-class operation, was around world-class fighters, and I stood there, kept my mouth shut, and I just learned. I wasn’t one of those guys, that, you know [said], “Geez, you should have tried that,”—I just kept my mouth shut. There was no talking in the gym, there was no gym talk, there was no, ‘Oh, you should be doing this,’ ‘Oh you should be making this much money,’ or ‘You’re promoter’s f—ing [expletive] you.’ There was none of that stuff. It was for real.
You know, in a lot of places, they treat it like a day camp; you know, ‘This is a hobby, oh, let’s go have fun.’ You know, it’s just different. It’s just different.
To me, it takes a lot to climb those steps. I understand that. And that’s one intangible that I bring that none of these other guys bring to the table. I was there, man, and I know what it takes.
And I know the ‘do’s and the don’ts.’ And I even know the mistakes I made in my own career. So, I can relate to a fighter to its fullest, ‘cause I was there. I know when they’re bull—ing [expletive] me, I know when they didn’t run—you know what I mean? How can somebody who’s never laced a pair of gloves on—who hit a bag in the garage—know that? They can’t.
And here: if your car breaks down, you’re going to take it to a mechanic, aren’t you? If you’re sick, you go to a doctor, right? You got a toothache, you go to a dentist. Well, if you want to be in boxing, why wouldn’t you go with a proven boxing guy who knows the deal? Why would you look anywhere else but with a guy who has a track record who knows the drill? Who would you want to trust your career to—a guy who’s been there or who’s walking around carrying a poodle?
See, before I became a promoter, I worked every aspect of this business, which any good businessman will do that. I can do any job, just like when I had my restaurant; I could have done any job in my restaurant if I needed to. There’d be a time in that restaurant when the dishwasher didn’t show up; I’m working the dishwashing machine in a $2,000 Brione suit. What’s wrong with that? You create from within and you lead by example. Why shouldn’t that business formula work for boxing?
I know what it’s like to be a fighter; I know what it’s like to get up at four in the morning to run. So, when I hear these guys say, ‘I’m going to run tonight,’ I just don’t understand that because there’s a certain amount of sacrifice and discipline a fighter needs to make. And, I know, because I did it. And, I didn’t do it till the latter part of my career, so I understand.
I’m not saying that just because you were a pro fighter makes you a good boxing guy, but where did you apprentice, where did you get your knowledge from? Look at Freddy Roach. Hell of a fighter and a hell of a trainer.
Dan Burningham, hell of a trainer, won trainer of the year. I don’t know if he had any pro fighting experience. But, in my experience he doesn’t run around acting like he knows everything. He’s very humble.
My life as a fighter was a great experience and I used my detrimental things, as well as my good things to help my fighters. Becoming too big too quick in this business can be your downfall. After a certain point, however, you’ve got to recognize that you’ve gone as far as you can go. Certain fighters have reached that point that they have gone as far as they can. They can either keep taking fights, or try to work their way back to another shot. Either way is cool.
Every fighter has to be treated separately; no one scenario fits every fighter. The bottom line is you’ve got to be willing to fight.
