This is an answer different for everyone, but experience takes time and no one however skilled you feel should negate the advantage that experience brings. With that in mind,
I feel like an amateur should have at least 5 to 10 fights before turning pro. In the beginning the first 1-3 fights will tell you if fighting (organized) is something that you enjoy. The next 4-6 fights should begin to tell you if you can compete amongst others in your weight class and if the weight class is right for you. The remaining fights should begin to challenge your skill set and develop your mind as a fighter.
Ideally, an amateur fighter should take as many fights as they can to find all these things out. Be systematic in building your amateur career. It will become the foundation for your success.
It’s crucial when you reach that final stage (6 and above) that you begin to challenge yourself. If you hear about a great fighter five cities over, go get a fight with her/him. Continue to find opponents that will test your skills, heart and endurance.
On the professional stage people will have expectations about your performance. Make sure you have encountered as many challenges as you can as an amateur (height, reach, even weight differences), so when you do finally make that leap from amateur to pro you have experience to draw from.
Taking time to manage your amateur career will give you the tools to be successful as a pro. Give yourself time to grow before making the leap because once you jump there’s no turning back.
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