More on the Management Module

[Jim Trunzo]

Management Mode in Title Bout Championship Boxing

The problem with boxing, at least from a management concept, is that the power in boxing shifts throughout a fighter’s career. From the start, there is very little that truly makes sense on the business end of the sport.
Logically, one would think that the fighter himself would be the key figure when it came to making money and dictating terms. After all, he’s the one who’s ultimately taking shots and risking being maimed in the ring. In actuality, unless the fighter is truly a dynamic superstar with crossover appeal (read Oscar de la Hoya-like), he is the least important element. In a worst case scenario, the fighter is reduced to a tool to be used by management, not unlike a hoe to a farmer.
Early in a typical fighter’s career, he must first secure a manager. Certainly, Olympic stars are sought out and courted by boxing’s power brokers. However, 98% of all other fighters have to do things the hard way. During a fighter’s formative years while he works toward becoming a viable contender, the fight manager plots the boxer’s career. He arranges his fights, oversees his training, sometimes fronts him expense money and often takes a financial bath initially in the hopes of making large sums later on.
Once a fighter actually gains significant status, however, a second figure moves into the picture, the all-powerful promoter; and he often begins to play a more important role than even the fighter’s manager. At worse, the promoter and manager work in concert, and the fighter (who has now dropped to #3 in the decision-making process) has to hope that both those men truly have the fighter’s best interest at heart. No laughing, please, from those of you familiar with Don King and Bob Arum.
From a simulation standpoint, the problem arises when, as a designer, one has to determine the most advantageous perspective. Role-playing the fighter offers little beyond what the actual boxing simulation does. True, you can (and will) be able to distribute “attribute” points to shape the fighter the way you’d like; but fighters don’t make matches, don’t negotiate contracts with television and cable outlets, don’t deal directly with the expenses and promotion of a fight.
Obviously, that leaves two choices: design the financial/management module from the perspective of a fight manager and let the computer A.I. handle the role of the promoter or go the opposite way. Let the A.I. play the part of the manager and allow the player to be the promoter.
We opted for the former. Even though the upper echelon of promoters (King and Arum and to a lesser degree, Cedric Kushner, the Duva’s, etc.), frequently are the ultimate deal makers, the manager has much more day-to-day contact and interaction with the fighters under his auspices. The ability to manage one fighter or an entire stable of fighters, along with a higher degree of hands-on micro-management made the decision relatively easy when weighed against the alternatives.

The Tentative Process:

At this point in its development, the Management Module evolves like this:

1. From a pool of fighters of various abilities, the manager will sign one or more fighters.

2. The manager will establish a training facility for his fighter/s.

3. The manager will attempt to make matches for his fighter/s.

4. The manager will hire corner men.

5. The manager will take care of all incidentals surrounding the fight.

6. At some point, the manager will negotiate with a promoter to take on one or more of the
manager’s fighters.

Of course, the above is overly simplified. A manager will have to manage his bankroll, be sure that his fighters get paid, promote his fighter in a wide variety of ways, make money, keep his
entire stable of fighters active and happy, etc. It won’t be a walk in the park. The better the manager does for his fighters and himself, the higher his rating climbs. The higher his rating is, the more likely that top of the line fighters will seek him out. The better his fighters, the greater the likelihood of the manager being able to place his fighters with a top promoter. And it all translates into the real goal - making money!


Management Mode in Title Bout Championship Boxing

[Scott Vibert]

Very Interesting read sounds gread Jim!

[Celtic Forever]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Can't wait!

[Mark]

Hello Jim,

It's all sounding very exciting. I always figured that the ultimate goal was to win the Title - the money will follow. You suggest that the ultimate aim is to make money. I believe that most fight managers are not in it for the money because, unless you get to the upper echelons, there is very little to be made in any case.

It may only be semantics making a distinction between the goal of making money and winning the title and perhaps the game play will still allow me to manage my fighters, not for the money, but for the express intention of getting them a title shot.

The soul of boxing is the boxers. I just hope that this remains the focus. It would be disappointing to find the game has become a Wall Street simulator dressed in boxing trunks.

[Jim Trunzo]

Good point and you speak like a true boxing fan. Yes, of course you'll be able to place the emphasis on guiding your fighter(s) to titles; and, true, the money will follow. I think I stated it that way because there will also be a strong monetary aspect to the module and, if you wish, you can role-play the darker side of boxing by using a fighter who has failed to live up to his potential as cannon-fodder (like, unfortunately, many real life managers do).

For example, you sign a fighter to a 3-year contract and he ends up being a heavy party-goer. He has some talent and is an exciting fighter. However, you know that he's really never going to develop into a champion. Rather than drop him, you decide to match him tough (the heck with his record) because he is a draw and the smaller ESPN2-like networks pay to have him as an opponent.

Believe me, a huge part of your success as a manager and your ability to sign better fighters, not just novices, hinges on your ability to get your fighters ranked and title shots.

[Night2000]

Mr. Trunzo,

It sounds great so far! If you can successfully merge
the career, and role-playing aspects of this game.
With your second to none accurate fight engine.
Then this game will be a <b>Big Hit!</b>

[jrmorgan56]

I cannot wait for this to come out. Sounds like a fantastic combination of features. I am already an owner of Title Fight and all this talk about the management module is making me drool. Thanks Jim!

[Astros33]

I'm a huge boxing fan and I cant wait till this comes out! Sound like a great game.

[fantom1979]

bump

[almo]

Here is an idea....Because boxing has 3-4 associations there should be 3-4 ratings systems. There should be one for the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO...........AND a national commisions ratings. The national commisions ratings will be the recognized ( linear) championship...But you could compete and try to unify all of the other belts. I knnow that you could currently fight for multiple titles BUT what if each indivdual commisions have different rating systems....

for example:

Fres Oquendo can possibly be ranked:
WBA #8
WBC #3
IBF Not RANKED
WBO #2

National Commision rank #9

The only way this would work is if ALL the ratings systems each had different equations for rankings........lets just say that the WBC could value Purses and KO ratio...........and WBA values Wins Losses nut does not care about quality of opponant...and the IBF values Stength of opponants and Won loss records....while the WBO ranks European fighters higher but also thakes into account the stregth of schedule for anyone.....While the national commision can use the trunzo's rating system.

To me this seems realistic.

Chris Almodovar