Short-Notice Fights: A Golden Opportunity or a Dangerous Gamble?

By Billie Sloane, IFL TV

Boxing is a sport built on preparation. Fighters spend months in training camp, fine-tuning their skills, sharpening their strategy, and peaking at just the right time. But what happens when all of that is thrown out the window? Short-notice fights have long been a staple of boxing’s unpredictable nature, but are they a genuine opportunity for fighters looking to break through, or just a brutal form of exploitation that stacks the deck against them?

This debate has never been more relevant. Take Martin Bakole stepping in to fight Joseph Parker at short notice. Was this a chance for the Congolese heavyweight to catapult himself into the big leagues? Or was it just another case of a fighter being put at a severe disadvantage, asked to take on an elite opponent without the benefit of a full camp?

Short-notice fights make headlines. They save events from collapse. They occasionally deliver shock upsets. But at what cost?

The Underdog’s Dream – A Life-Changing Opportunity

Let’s start with the romanticised version. Boxing loves an underdog story, and short-notice fights have produced some of the sport’s most unexpected stars.

Take Andy Ruiz Jr. stepping in against Anthony Joshua in 2019. A late replacement after Jarrell Miller failed a drugs test, Ruiz was given just five weeks to prepare. He was meant to be a routine opponent—an easy night’s work for Joshua—until he flipped the script and delivered one of the biggest shocks in heavyweight history, stopping AJ to become world champion.

Ruiz isn’t the only one. Fighters like Derek Chisora and Luis Ortiz have stepped in last minute to fight top contenders, knowing that a win could change their entire career. For those struggling to land big fights, short-notice opportunities can be the only way to force their way into the spotlight.

And let’s not pretend money isn’t a factor. Some fighters spend years grinding on small-hall shows, earning a pittance compared to the sport’s biggest names. When a short-notice call comes in, it’s not just about legacy—it’s about securing a life-changing payday. So can we really blame them for rolling the dice?

For some, taking the risk pays off in the biggest way possible. But for every Ruiz Jr., there’s a fighter who steps in, gives everything, and still leaves empty-handed.

A Stacked Deck – The Dangerous Reality of Short-Notice Fights

Now, let’s be honest. Short-notice fights are almost always designed to favour the A-side. Most late replacements are brought in as human punch bags—fighters thrown into the lion’s den without proper preparation, often taking fights they’d never accept under normal circumstances.

Imagine training for months for a completely different opponent, then getting thrown in with someone new with just days to prepare. That’s the brutal reality of short-notice fights. Game plans go out the window. There’s no time for specific sparring, weight-cutting becomes rushed, and fighters step into the ring at a physical and tactical disadvantage.

Take David Price vs. Sergey Kuzmin. Price stepped in with just one week’s notice, fought hard, but ultimately had to retire after an injury—a direct result of taking a fight without the right preparation. How many fighters have taken these last-minute bouts, knowing they’re risking their health and career just to collect a payday?

And here’s another harsh truth—short-notice fights favour the house fighter. The promoters, broadcasters, and event organisers don’t care if the late replacement is at a disadvantage. All they care about is making sure the show goes on.

So, is it really a fair opportunity, or just a necessary evil that keeps boxing’s business machine running?

The Event Saviours – Fighters Who Keep the Show Alive

One thing that can’t be ignored is this: without short-notice fighters, many events would collapse entirely.

Boxing is unpredictable. Injuries, weight issues, failed medicals, and last-minute withdrawals are part and parcel of the sport. When a main event or chief support fighter pulls out, the entire card is at risk. A fighter stepping in last minute isn’t just doing themselves a favour—they’re saving the entire promotion.

We’ve seen countless occasions where a short-notice replacement has prevented a huge financial disaster. A cancelled main event isn’t just disappointing for fans, it’s a nightmare for promoters, broadcasters, and the undercard fighters who’ve spent months preparing, only to see their fight night scrapped.

Promoters and TV networks rely on last-minute replacements to keep events alive. The question is, are these fighters being properly compensated for stepping in under these conditions? Or are they just being used as a quick fix before being forgotten once the event is over?

Should Promoters Have Pre-Planned Replacements?

One way to eliminate the risks of short-notice fights would be for promoters to have contracted replacement fighters ready to step in for main events and chief support bouts, as seen in the UFC for a majority of main events. For example, for Jon Jones’s heavyweight world title clash with Stipe Miocic, interim champ Tom Aspinall took part in a full camp to prepare for the fight in case either fighter pulled out.

In theory, it makes perfect sense. A backup fighter could go through a mini-training camp, stay on weight, and be fully prepared to step in at short notice without taking unnecessary risks. It would reduce the likelihood of mismatches, ensure fights are still competitive, and protect fighters from the dangers of jumping in unprepared.

But there’s a catch—money.

Having contracted backup fighters means paying them to train, even if they never step in. For promoters, that’s an expensive safety net. Would the sport’s major players be willing to spend money on fighters who might never get in the ring?

And how would this affect negotiations? If a fighter knows they’re the backup, do they demand more money if they suddenly become the main event? Would promoters risk paying someone to stay ready, only for them to be poached by another event?

It’s an interesting solution, but is it practical in boxing’s current landscape?

Risk vs. Reward – The Fighter’s Choice

At the end of the day, fighters make the final call. No one forces them to step in on short notice—but what choice do they really have?

When a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lands in their lap, do they dare say no? If they do, the call might never come again.

So, is boxing exploiting desperate fighters, or is it simply giving them an opportunity to take their shot?

And for those who say short-notice fights are unfair—isn’t that the very essence of boxing? A sport where anything can happen, where risks make legends, and where fortune favours the brave?

Maybe short-notice fights will always be part of the sport. But the question remains—are we celebrating these last-minute gambles, or are we watching fighters get chewed up and spat out by a system that only values them when it’s convenient?