New American Boxing Organization: Boxer Pension Plan
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
In an exclusive interview with Real Combat Media, American Boxing Organization CEO Juan Curiel, along with Board of Directors member James ‘Quick’ Tillis, talked about the new Illinois based professional boxing organization, including its unique boxer life insurance and pension plan framework.
Real Combat Media: There are many boxing organizations out there. Why found the ABO?”
Juan Curiel: “The ABO is unique in that it offers professional boxers life insurance if they win. The winner walks away with a $100,000 life insurance policy for five years. We will also do a pension plan as we progress.”
Real Combat Media: “What titles will you offer?”
Juan Curiel: “We will offer regional titles in five regions and an ABO national title. Once boxers win that, they automatically become ranked with the ABO so we can have a fair system of rankings. Once they fight for a title they reap the benefits. We want to maintain a level playing field.”
Real Combat Media: “How does former heavyweight contender James Quick Tillis fit in?”
Juan Curiel: “When I created the ABO, I wanted to reach out to Tillis, because with his experience in the sport and his guidance, a lot of young guys will benefit tremendously. He’s been through it all. He knows the pros and cons of the game.”
Real Combat Media: “What are your other ABO objectives?”
Juan Curiel: “We want an equal life insurance policy, and full retirement so boxers are properly guided. We will incorporate a newsletter which will be important to their career. Quick Tillis is experienced and a leader in the industry. We also have former heavyweight boxer Dominique Alexander as our vice-president, who recently retired. I don’t need doctors and attorneys, I need people in the sport who are successful who understand the sport.We (me and the Board of Directors) will be having quarterly meetings to discuss our agenda.”
Real Combat Media: “What is your basis for initial rankings?”
Juan Curiel: “We want everybody to register, their record, activity, and if they have been hurt in the past.We are a new organization. We want to be fair to everybody. Safety is our number one priority.BoxRec Recognition is that something you want to achieve. We would like them to recognize us. That’s okay. We take little baby steps. With the guidance of all the people involved with the ABO, we’ll make those positive strides.”
Real Combat Media: “Is the ABO on social media yet?”
Juan Curiel: “We have a website and a Facebook and an Instagram.”
Real Combat Media: “The ABO is geared towards American titles. What about ABO world titles?”
Juan Curiel: “We will (also) have an international title (at some point). Right now we just want to focus on our American fighters. This is our number one priority. Then we go based on that model. Once that is handled, we will move on to the bigger countries, and we’ll go global.”
Real Combat Media: “How can you afford to give fighters life insurance and retirement pensions?”
Juan Curiel: “We charge a reasonable sanctioning fee, and the insurance fees are very small. Age has a lot to do with it that’s why we want the younger fighters to participate. We are going to be selling merchandise to offset the costs, and we will have membership fees. Everybody is going to contribute to make this go. It will be up to the promoters and fighters to participate and everyone else to come on board.”
Real Combat Media: “Will the ABO have additional safety regulations?”
Juan Curiel: “Right now what we have in place is a 30 day safety weigh in procedure, and everything is the way it should be, medical clearance through the local boxing commissions, their evaluation and approval.”
Real Combat Media: Why are you currently in Las Vegas?”
Juan Curiel: “In Las Vegas I’m out here meeting promoters and fighters and Top Rank, I’m out here essentially promoting the ABO. I’m going to Top Rank’s gym today to visit their gym.”
Real Combat Media: Where is the ABO main office?”
Juan Curiel: “The base of operations is in Round Lake, Illinois.”
Real Combat Media: “How did you get involved in boxing?”
Juan Curiel: “I’m an ex-cop. I have a boxing gym and youth programs in Round Lake, Illinois. I wanted to give kids an alternative to soccer and football. I left the police department to set up Hook Aim Cross Punch Boxing Club. My program became very successful and popular. We’ve been going strong for the last seven years.
Reader’s Note: Hook Cross Punch Boxing Club is online at http://hacpboxing.wix.com/hacpboxing#!facilities/c66t
Real Combat Media: “Is your fee structure online correct?”
Juan Curiel: “Those fees are introductory rates. We want to keep event belt fees as affordable as we can, as we are small organization. As we grow we may go up a little bit (in fee prices), but not much.”
Real Combat Media: “Has boxing promoter interest for the new ABO been strong?”
Juan Curiel: “There has been a lot of interest. I’ve got different promoters who are interested.”
Real Combat Media: “The WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO and other boxing organizations offer titles belts of all kinds. How can you hope to compete with these different organizations?”
Juan Curiel: “We’re going to do our job. I’m focusing on what we’re doing. We have a good product, and I believe in that product.”
Real Combat Media: “Are you open to combined title sanctioning with the other organizations?”
Juan Curiel: “As long as the safety protocols and commission regulations are in place. If they fail to submit a contract weight or safety issues, if they don’t comply, we’re not going to have a fight. Bigger organizations do things the way they do, we do things the way do. We have to follow the rules.”
Real Combat Media: “So will your immediate titles be limited to the Americas? Your title does include ‘American’ as the organization you have founded.”
Juan Curiel: “We are going to limit titles offered for right now to the United States. We have a standard, 17 weight divisions, male and female, for regional titles.”
Real Combat Media: What about ABO Canada, ABO Mexico and ABO North American title sin the future?”
Real Combat Media: “That’s a possibility. I would have to sit down with the ABO Board of Directors once we see our vision moving forward. What we’re doing right now is we are promoting the ABO talking to people (and making contacts and connections). I’m also going to have an ‘ABO Expo’ in Round Lake, Illinois, on Saturday Oct 10, 2015. It is free to the boxing community.”
Real Combat Media: “What is your vision for the future of the ABO?”
Juan Curiel: “I have a vision. I want Mr. Tillis’ legacy in helping our future fighters to be everlasting. I wantto commemorate my father’s legacy (Alfonzo Curiel, a Mexican southpaw bantamweight fighter who trained and sparred for Jose Napoles). I’m not afraid of the hurdles and the challenges. We are going to continue.”
Real Combat Media: “You are based in the Illinois and Ohio region, where boxing regulations are tougher than other Midwest states.”
Juan Curiel: “Ohio and Illinois.If they are strict, God bless them. All we have to do is be compliant. In Illinois I met with the Director of Professional Regulation and my marketing director two months ago. She liked what she heard. I like that they are strict. I just hope we are given the opportunity (to work with them).”
Real Combat Media: “Recent state and Federal laws have addressed gay, lesbian, and transgender issues. Your thoughts on the subject.”
Juan Curiel: “Gay and lesbian is a lifestyle. In terms of transgender individuals, the hormones don’t change. I would not consider that to be an appropriate thing. In boxing you cannot have a man fighting a woman (as it isn’t fair). We would address the subject in the future (if and when it arises).”
Real Combat Media: “What sort of training will you offer for officials of the ABO?”
Juan Curiel: “We will have a national supervisor and licensed cornermen and officials will have to pass the ABO training and get certified.”
Real Combat Media: “Have you dealt with ABC Boxing in terms of regulations and compliance?”
Juan Curiel: We submitted our ABC paperwork to them and we are in compliance with the Muhammad Ali Act. As long as we are compliant with the rules and regulations of ABC Boxing, we are correct.”
Reader’s Note: former heavyweight contender and ABO official James ‘Quick’ Tillis lives with his wife in Las Vegas, Nevada.”
Real Combat Media: After fighting for the WBA world heavyweight title against Mike Weaver and losing the 15 round decision, you lost many decisions you probably deserved.”
Quick Tillis: I was about to get out of boxing anyway. I lost my edge down in Florida. Too many women and too much distraction for a fighter. I was a young boy like that, I needed to go back to the woods in Michigan.
Real Combat Media: “What do you think of the ABO life insurance and pension plan proposal for boxers holding ABO titles? What about retired boxers in need of financial and medical assistance? Shouldn’t the ABO help them too?”
Quick Tillis: “I love the ABO looking after the fighter’s best interests. It’s a good thing they are doing. It should have been done years ago. Promoters will steer you blind as long as they can use you. The ABO does have a system in place to help retired fighters find available community resources to help them. As for putting together charity benefits to help injured and retired boxers, that’s something we have to put before the ABO Board of Directors in the future.”
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