USA Boxing defending fighters with Protect Yourself at All Times

USA Boxing is joining forces with Protect Yourself at ALL Times (PYaAT) to help shield fighters from shady business practices in the sport of boxing. 

Boxing is a unique sport in that some of its most challenging battles take part outside of competition. The boxing business is one of the most brutal and dishonest, but USA Boxing is joining forces with Protect Yourself at All Times (PYaAT) to shield fighters from boxing’s lurking industry traps.

Former boxing manager Adrian Clark published Protect Yourself at All Times: A Guide for Professional Boxers to help inform and protect fighters from the numerous deceptive business practices.

Clark’s book metamorphosized into a web series and organization to help educate boxers about the boxing business from top to bottom. Many boxers have sought Clark and PYaAT’s assistance and guidance. USA Boxing sees the merits of PYaAT and is teaming up with them to help improve fighters’ lives outside of the ring.

“To better prepare members for the next level, USA Boxing has partnered with Texas-based company, Protect Yourself at All Times, LLC to provide educational information for amateur boxers,” reads a statement from USA Boxing’s website.

USA Boxing oversees amateur boxing in the United States and is the gateway for young fighters on their way to the professional ranks. Pairing with PYaAT allows amateurs access to PYaAT resources and website, which informs boxers on the nuances of the boxing business and gives them advice when planning for their future as a professional.

USA Boxing is helping its young fighters to avoid devious business practices by working with Protect Yourself at All Times

“From where I’m from, the saying is if you’re gonna reach one, you got to reach them young to get the message through to them,” Clark told FanSided.

Clark knows a lot about the boxing business. He managed numerous boxers at a young age and also worked as a boxing advisor for Fight Network. He’s using his many years of experience in boxing to help young fighters and prevent anyone from taking advantage of their youth.

“My job is to help these guys out and protect them from the industry,” said Clark. “There’s never been an educational system in the sport of boxing to help protect the fighters outside of the ring. I get a lot of questions about, you know, you’re trying to become a union. Like, there’s no way to have a labor union in the sport of boxing because the sport is not associated. So there’s nothing to counter, essentially. My job is just to make sure that these guys or girls are gonna get into the sport that they at least understand the business that they’re getting into before they make that full crossover.”

As Clark mentioned, there is no overseeing national governing body for boxing. State athletic commissions are responsible for governing boxing, and there are lots of flaws in their respective systems and bylaws.

PYaAT familiarizes fighters with vital information needed to make choices about their boxing future.

“It’s a win for everyone that’s involved: USA boxing, myself, the parents, the fighters, the coaches,” said Clark. “May not be a win for people that are not doing it the right way. If you are looking to take advantage of the fighter, or if that’s your MO, then yeah, this probably won’t be good for you because a lot will be exposed.”

USA Boxing is doing its young boxers a service by taking steps to acquaint them with the professional boxing business. PYaAT lifts the veil on boxing’s hidden pitfalls to ensure that every fighter has the opportunity to realize their maximum potential in the ring without falling prey to a con artist.