Many times being a trainer this scenario comes up. You get your fighter matched with an opponent you know nothing about. Nowadays with overseas fights becoming more available its a bit of a problem. On the Australian scene I suppose its just as hard and sometimes you have to be as confident as you can be in your student's abilities and fitness. So long as they are well prepared and fit and stay fighting their first or second fight that's about all you can do,

Sometimes looking at the gym and the trainer can reveal secrets about the fighter, or if you can obtain a video of them fighting that is the best. But if the above are not available you usually ask the other trainer a few questions beforehand, such as the height, stance and style of the fighter. You usually get a general outlook about the fighter and the other trainer is entitled to do the same with you. You can get a good idea off websites especially if you're facing someone overseas. Fight records and statistics are available and chat rooms with like minded people overseas helps a lot.

We recently took a fight in Japan against a well known opponent. His record was daunting at first but I looked at his last ten fights and he had lost six by way of ko! And people had told me he was on his way out as a fighter, so our guy was a bit of a puncher and tough so it was worth a punt to knock him off with the hands. Sadly this didn't work out but it was a good fight and lots of experience was gained for my fighter. Another time I took 3 fighters to England and they had 3 fights which looked on paper not in our favour but one got front kicked and fell and broke a wrist, another fight was changed at the last minute and we won by leg kick KO. Also another one we won on points after a fair fight. So sometimes it does work out in the end.

Once in Queensland I sent my corner guy into the changing room of the opponent to have a look at him on the pads! (not advisable).

So do your homework, prepare your fighters as hard and as well as you can and good luck!