Yet, in reality, fighting is a very tough game, and it doesn’t always pay as well as it should. This is why fighters look to get sponsored to help them along their journey.

Since we started Sidekick in 2010, our aim was not only to be a huge part of the Kickboxing circuit but to also help it grow. Over the last 12 years we have sponsored some of the biggest names and promotions in the U.K.

As you may of seen, we have sponsored fighters on fight promotions like Glory, Bellator, BAMMA and Cage Warriors and your probably thinking unless your a #1 ranked fighter you will not get a chance for sponsorship, but this is not always the case, as we have massively helped our amateur fighters and local shows as these are the roots to the sport.

How to get sponsored

As you could imagine we receive high levels of applications for fighters sponsorships, so we have come up with a guide to help you know exactly what we are looking for. Before you approach us for a potential fighter sponsorship with a proposal, you must understand what you have to offer and know what you would like from us. In order for the sponsorship to work long term the sponsorship needs to work for both parties and that is why it is a very important factor to build a good solid relationship between the fighter and the brand.

It is also highly important for the fighter to believe and love the product, as he/she will naturally promote the brand and it will look more real and authentic. You will need to have a high social media fan base and for them to engage in your posts. If you haven’t got a large following and would like to grow it, you can read our article ‘Why fighters should blog’ here, as it has some useful tips.

To get noticed by us, winning your fights is a start but it definitely isn’t everything. We look to sponsor fighters with the following characteristics:

1. You should be exciting to watch. Everyone remembers an action-packed fight. With exciting fights comes more exposure.
2. You should be a good spokesperson to represent our company. As a sponsored fighter, you are also assuming the role of a brand ambassador. Prove that you can positively promote a brand by promoting yourself and building a solid following.
3. Be a role model inside and outside of the ring. It’s easy to get behind someone that others look up to. It’s also easy to work with someone who is respectful and humble.
4. Be active on social media

Tips:

1. Ask your coach or manager first – If you fight under a club, it is always worth clearing it with whoever is in charge first to avoid any complications. Your coach/manager may arrange your fights, so they may also be responsible for agreeing with your sponsorship deals. Arranging your own sponsorship, they may feel you have cut them out, especially if they earn a commission on your earnings.
2. Don’t get too many sponsors – As much as it may be tempting to snatch up any deal you can, having many sponsors who don’t pay a decent sum of money will only devalue your potential earnings and lose credibility.

If your image is not quite what we are looking for, it is not the end of the road for sponsorship for you, as you may be the perfect person for another company. Read our article ‘Choosing the right fighter’ here.

How does sponsorship work?

Sponsorship varies from fighter to fighter because some fighters might be at a higher level in their career and with a bigger fan base than others. We would always provide the necessary equipment for training and fighting for both amateur and professional fighters and we offer some form of financial support for professional fighters whether that would be to cover certain costs or monthly installments.

Apply for a fighters sponsorship today at SIDEKICKBOXING.CO.UK

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The post How To Become A Sponsored Fighter In 2023 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

My name is Daniel Knight and I know what a fighter goes through from week to week working hard both in the ring and in the office. As a kickboxer, I have spent thousands of hours training in the club, and I have been graded to a 1st degree black belt, and I have also competed at local events which have run up expensive costs.
Running Sidekick is equally gruelling, but extremely rewarding, as the promotional side of the business has lead to meeting a lot of good friends and promoters which I now work with closely such as Stand and Bang, Shock n’ Awe, FCC “Full Contact Contenders”, BCMMA, Kombat Zone, and so many more. Our selection of hard wearing as well as visually appealing fight merchandise has also attracted a few and met celebrities such as Alex Reid, Dizzee Rascal and even Katie Price, who was seen getting into her Bentley with one of our Sidekick sports bags.

Direct Contact
From amateurs to pros, we frequently get emails from fighters at all levels of their training and we do our very best to reply and give helpful advice. The best bit of advice that I can give when approaching a company for sponsorship is to research the company first. You must have a clear understanding of what you want and what you can bring to them too. This is because a sponsorship is a deal that has to be mutual for both parties.
We often help fighters with sponsorship when they compete on big promotions like GLORY, BAMMA and Bellator. Although it’s rare they can also struggle with promotion and look to make quick and expensive deals for both brands and fighters. You must also be easy to contact, as well as able to travel to events and facilities in order to become the best fighter you can become.

Social Media
A great way to get attention is social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook as well as many other types of online presence. The question is, can a platform that attracts lot of people to see pictures and videos impress a promoter?
I often get a great email from a fighter then do some research on them myself only to be let down by their lack of presence online. However, a great way to change this is to ask some questions about your online presence such as: do you look good? Are the pictures and videos clear and aesthetically pleasing? Am I showing my best achievements? Which gear am I wearing?
It is also important to know your worth as a fighter. The big names know not just how big they are and how much exposure they get, but just how much exposure they can offer a company. This is the ideal way for you to become the best fighter that you can possibly be as well as to get the best promotions too.
When I see fighters in Sidekick gear it goes a long way as a company wants to see you believe both in yourself and in the brand you want to endorse. This will always provide a great opportunity to be noticed as a fighter.
I hope this quick guide helps you.

All the best,
Daniel Knight
SidekickBoxing

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The post The Sidekick beginners guide to sponsorship first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.