national trainer & cutman assn.
THE NATIONAL TRAINERS & CUTMAN ASSOCIATION-

Subject:  Organization of The National Trainers and Cutman Association

Boxing & MMA [Mixed Martial Arts] are sports of strength and strategy. But who contributes to the
success of a fighter? The professionals working in the ring can produce a world champion. Trainers and
Cutmen provide preparation and encouragement for a fighter’s, contributing to their success. But,
Trainers & Cutmen are not protected by the State Legislation for proper compensation or future
commitments.


Founders-
The establishing founders of The National Trainers and Cutman Association:
John ‘Juanito’ Ibarra , Professional Trainer/Manager/Cutman & Chuck Bodak, Professional Cutman, are
from the world of boxing and have experience the disorganization and uncertainty of their careers. They
both have earned the respect of the fight world, and look forward to organizing a better professional
world for all Trainers and Cutman.


Purpose-
1) To organize guidelines protecting professional trainers and cutmen, through the State Legislation.
The guidelines will be set for fighters, promoters and managers employing professional trainers and
cutmen as follows; the guidelines will include state language for proper compensation and future
agreements.

2) TO MAKE CORNERS SAFER AND CORNERMEN BETTER QUALIFIED.  
Under such professional trainers there are cornermen. They help assist the chief second (head trainer)
in aiding the fighter in between rounds. The National Trainers and Cutman Assn. would like to set
criteria to improve corners under sanctioned bouts. One way is, a amateur coach must have two or
more experience, must be certified in CPR training and first aid which will include education on
coagulants and common medicines. Such criteria will be taught by a qualified board to meet such
standards.

* 3) The other issue that must be adopted and then mandated is, to supply TWO cutmen (due to a cut
in both corner simultaneously) to every MMA show in the U S A and throughout the world, networking
with the Trainers Cutman Assn.

Position descriptions:

Trainer: Instructor whom prepares a fighter physically, mentally and participates in strategic battle
between two fighters.

Cutman: An individual that works in the corner of a ring-cage during the match, and is responsible for
attending any cuts or abrasions received during a fight. In an event of swelling or bleeding a Cutman
would prevent the condition for worsening, thus enabling the fighter to continue the fight.

Compensation issues-
Currently Trainers and Cutman are not protected by the state legislation, though licensed by the State
Athletic Commissions, a Trainer or Cutmen cannot pursue a fighter for non-payment of services,
through arbitration, (only managers and promoters).

A Trainer or Cutman hired by a fighter is employed on a handshake agreement. The commitment they
offer a fighter is not secured by written documents, therefore a verbal agreement can be broken very
easily.  

A Trainer or Cutman in the past have dedicated their efforts to training and preparing a fighter, then
prior to a fight, released without notice before being compensated.

This is not an uncommon situation; therefore the ability to establish contracts for services rendered is
very necessary for future services.


Current procedures-

1) Wages paid to a Trainer is approximately 10% of the fighter purse per fight.  This type of payment is
on a verbal agreement only.  Under the State legislation a fighter is responsible for paying promoters
and managers before receiving payment at the end of a fight.  But no arrangements are made for the
trainer, other that a handshake.

2) The lack of TRUE knowledge in a fight corner is missing, due to lack of education. For years we see
when a fighter’s injured, causing a staff doctor to step into the ring, to aid the injured fighter, causing
confusion and panic in the corner. With proper training a corner staff can aid or assist the ringside
doctor, instead of confusion.
Once again this is due to lack of education.

3) Currently any person qualified or unqualified can pay a fee to the athletic commission of any state,
and will be granted a trainer’s (or seconds) license.

4) Being a new sport, MMA there are no current procedures existing.

SPONSORSHIP

Because of the funding problems, The State Commission will struggle with major endorsers and
sponsors are needed to finance such clinics at a year around basis.


GOAL

Through the A B C (ASSOCIATION OF BOXING COMMISSIONS), U S A BOXING INC., and USA MMA
INC. much needed organization will be needed throughout the U S A, and around the world, for corner
success.

History-

In 1719, James Figg was the first recorded boxing champion. He became a Boxing Trainer and was
named, ‘The Father of Boxing’. Since the beginning of training, teaching and supporting boxers, there
has been no rules or guidelines for compensation or future commitments.  

Fighters of the past all have unrecognized Trainers and Cutmen in their shadows, and without
hesitation a fighters would admit honestly, that they rely on their corner professionals for support. The
Corner of a professional fighter can be the destiny of their career.

Good teaching in a corner is very necessary.  Preparing a fighter for a bout requires support, mental
condition, physical training and constant attention.  All mentioned is the responsibility of a Trainer and
Cutmen, and there is no guarantee that they will be compensated for their services.

The world of boxing and MMA creates uncertainty, for Trainers and Cutmen.  The battles of
unpredictable financial situation are a constant battle for both professionals. They are at the bottom of
the barrel and are the supporters who channel a fighter’s talents and build a relationship of
communication.  

Trainers and Cutmen are driven for different reasons; some have fought and have much experience to
teach others to just follow the dream of building a champion.  Regardless of reason, they are
professionals. They hold the tools for a FIGHTER to prepare his strength and strategy with dreams of
creating champions, from the corner of a fighting ring or cage.

Questions or Concerns - Contact:
John ‘ Juanito’ Ibarra
Email: trainercutman@yahoo.com
Counter
Chuck Bodak and Juanito