What did i get paid sparring heavweight world champions?

Summary

In this video, the speaker reflects on their experiences sparring with some of the biggest names in boxing, including Vladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua. They discuss the payment for their sparring sessions, which ranged from decent pay to less-than-ideal living conditions in certain camps. The speaker shares insights on the challenges and rewards of being a sparring partner, highlighting the difference between high-paying opportunities and the less glamorous aspects of the job. Despite the ups and downs, the speaker is appreciative of the experiences, both financially and personally.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sparring with Vladimir Klitschko in 2014 was the highest-paying experience, earning 1,500 EUR for five days of sparring in Austria.
• 😀 The luxury accommodation in Austria was a mansion in the Alps, though the location was isolated with limited activities.
• 😀 The payment for sparring with Klitschko was substantial, especially compared to the speaker's earnings at the time as a supply teacher (250-300 EUR/week).
• 😀 Other sparring partners included top names like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Robert Helenius, and Dylan White, with varying pay rates.
• 😀 Tyson Fury paid the speaker 100-150 GBP for each sparring session, often sparring two to three times a week.
• 😀 Sparring with Anthony Joshua initially had no pay, but the speaker later felt frustrated for not being compensated for all the hard work put in over the years.
• 😀 The speaker sparred in Poland for 800 EUR over two weeks, experiencing good accommodations, food, and overall conditions.
• 😀 In Finland, sparring with Robert Helenius earned 500 EUR per week, and the conditions were not as comfortable, but the pay was decent.
• 😀 Dylan White, a UK-based fighter, consistently paid well for sparring, covering expenses and providing quality accommodations during training camps.
• 😀 Sparring with some boxers provided valuable experience, but at times, the payment did not match the effort or preparation required.
• 😀 Despite some frustrations with payment, sparring with high-profile boxers was a lucrative source of income, though it wasn't always easy or guaranteed.

Q & A

What was the highest amount the speaker was paid for sparring, and what were the conditions surrounding it?

The highest payment the speaker received for sparring was 1,500 EUR for a week-long stint in Austria, sparring with Vladimir Klitschko. They stayed in a mansion in the Alps, enjoying high-quality food, but the location was described as somewhat boring with nothing much to do.

How does the speaker compare the payment they received to their usual income at the time?

At the time, the speaker was earning around 250-300 EUR a week from supply teaching. Therefore, the 1,500 EUR paid for sparring was a significantly higher amount, making it a substantial windfall.

What was the sparring environment like for the speaker when training with Vladimir Klitschko?

The speaker described the sparring environment as high-class, with luxury accommodations, excellent food, and a team of other sparring partners. However, they noted that the training camp could have been better organized, with Klitschko possibly overspending on sparring partners.

What were some of the less favorable aspects of sparring with other boxers, such as in Ukraine?

In contrast to Klitschko’s camp, the speaker described sparring in Ukraine as less enjoyable, especially because of the poor accommodation and food. They survived on bread, chocolate bars, and crisps for most of the stay, despite receiving good pay (2,000 EUR for the week).

What was the nature of the sparring relationship with Tyson Fury?

The speaker had a friendly, informal sparring relationship with Tyson Fury, with no expectation of payment initially. They would spar a few rounds at a time, often just to get a workout, and Fury would later pay them around 100-150 GBP per session, which the speaker was happy with considering the casual nature of the sessions.

Why did the speaker feel they should have been paid for sparring with Anthony Joshua?

The speaker felt they deserved to be paid after sparring with Anthony Joshua for over three years, often sparring multiple times a week and putting in intense work. However, they did not receive any payment, which the speaker later realized was partly their own fault for not being more assertive in asking for payment.

How did the speaker reflect on their time sparring with Anthony Joshua?

The speaker initially felt a bit bitter about not being paid after sparring extensively with Joshua, especially considering the intensity of their training. However, with time, they recognized that they should have handled the situation better and taken more initiative to secure compensation.

What were some of the payments the speaker received while sparring with other boxers like Dylan Whyte and Robert Helenius?

The speaker received various payments while sparring with other boxers, including a rate of 500 EUR a week for sparring with Robert Helenius in Finland and 800 EUR for two weeks of sparring in Poland. They also mentioned sparring with Dylan Whyte, where they were paid travel expenses and a small fee for sparring sessions.

What were the benefits and downsides of being a sparring partner, as described by the speaker?

Being a sparring partner provided opportunities to earn good money, but the speaker noted that the work could be physically demanding, and the money didn't always come easily. Despite the benefits of traveling, food, and accommodations, there were times when the sparring conditions and the pay didn’t feel fair or reflective of the effort put in.

How does the speaker describe the difference in compensation across various sparring camps?

The speaker noted significant variation in compensation depending on the boxer and the camp. For example, sparring with Klitschko involved luxury accommodations and high pay, while sparring in Ukraine and with other boxers like Joshua and Fury offered less favorable conditions despite relatively good pay.