Courtney Pennington: “The Fighters Don’t Control Shit!”

Courtney Pennington Says Fighters Have Minimal Leverage in Boxing’s Business Side

Within the sport of boxing, in a perfect world, all fighters would navigate a level playing field and there would be no glaring double-standards to speak of. Yet, we all know this is not the truth. Overall popularity, revenue earning power and political officiations go a long way in determining how a boxer will be treated in any negotiation process. Super welterweight prospect Courtney Pennington (15-4-3, 7 KO’s), 35, is acutely aware of the sliding scale of respect that the sport loves to present.

In a recent interview with 3Kings Boxing, Pennington delved a bit deeper into how pugilists who are low on the totem pole have a tough time at the bargaining table.

“Listen, the fighters don’t control shit, man! Okay, the one percent to three percent, Errol Spence, Jermell Charlo, of course Canelo Alvarez. Yeah, they control their career because they are the faces of boxing, kind of like LeBron James with the NBA. But the rest of us, naw’ll man. We don’t control nothing because we don’t got that skin in the game! We’re not putting our money up.”

For this reason Pennington insists it can get rather cold in hurry trying to hammer out a contract.

“If you don’t like it, fuck you, we’ll get another fighter!”

COMING FOR THE BAG

There is no question that the business side of this oftentimes brutal sport can be more treacherous than a weekend splashing around at Crystal Lake. Nevertheless, boxers such as Pennington are almost joyful to first acknowledge all the obstacles and pitfalls then still choose this uncertain occupation. One such impediment for Pennington, who is signed to Brawlers Sports Management, was his being a staggeringly late bloomer as he did not even enter a boxing gym until he was 23.

As a result, his amateur career was shorter than mouse ribs. Also, since launching his career, he’s suffered four losses and three draws. Despite the setbacks, limited background and oftentimes stacked deck, Pennington remains optimistic about his future. And in his case, the proud Brooklyn, New York native has designs on becoming a success against all odds.

“There is a huge business aspect to these fights…I’m not like some hungry dude, like as far as fiending for [whatever], I make money. I got businesses, I make money. But I see money can be made in boxing and we are not far from it, you know, from the real money.”

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By: Bakari Simpson

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