Complete List of Olympic Boxers from AIBA

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Just saw that AIBA has posted list of Olympic boxers competing in Beijing. According to AIBA.org ". . .286 vacancies split between Europe (91), Asia (62), Africa (61), America (61) and Oceania (11), Russia is the only country to have a competitor in each of the 11 weight categories. Morocco, Cuba, China and Kazakhstan all qualified 10 boxers while USA, France and Australia have nine."

Here's their link to downloadable pdf document http://www.aiba.org/documents/site1/Oly ... 202008.pdf

I'm not familiar with international athletes and I know that we have a predictions thread started but what are everyone's thoughts on who has our best shot for gold - considering the competition.

[Kolya]

Rau'shee is probably the best bet; after him Demetrius.

[Gray-Fox]

Raushee should snap up the gold. Demetrius is in with a shout as well.

BJ Saunders at 69kg from GB also has a great chance.

[therealPunchDrunk]

Saunders is definitely not someone his competitors should underestimate. I was very impressed with him at the EU championships.

Edit: on the other hand I'm wondering whether Gavin will make 60kg... :(

[Gray-Fox]

Saunders is definitely not someone his competitors should underestimate. I was very impressed with him at the EU championships.

Edit: on the other hand I'm wondering whether Gavin will make 60kg... :(

Who knows? I think he will personally. It's not like he even needs to go to the Olympics anyway is it? He's already gonna be paid a shedload to turn professional.

[therealPunchDrunk]

Saunders is definitely not someone his competitors should underestimate. I was very impressed with him at the EU championships.

Edit: on the other hand I'm wondering whether Gavin will make 60kg... :(

Who knows? I think he will personally. It's not like he even needs to go to the Olympics anyway is it? He's already gonna be paid a shedload to turn professional.

I would think that he's pretty motivated to go to the Olympics, like every other boxer in the world would be... I know it's not rated as highly in the US, but for most other nations it's a pretty big deal in it's own right, not just a way to get more cash as a pro.
I just think he's gonna be hard pressed to get to 60. He had enough trouble even making 64 in June...

[boxmel]

I know it's not rated as highly in the US

And where did you get that impression from? Most of our kids dream, from age 8 on, is to go to the Olympics and then become a world professional pro.

[ogii3]

Saunders is real terminator, a future star in profesional boxing with his great style!
Frakny Gavin improved very much in last two years. It's some sort of Renaissance for British boxing, but they deserved it, cos in UK the love for boxing is great no mather if it's about pro or am.

[Ulysses]

Welterweight looks really open and Saunders has proved that on hi day he can beat anyone in the division.
Gavin's weight is a real worry. He's not made lightweight since last November. He's admitted he struggles and will make weight at the last minute...

[Sportssummary]

Quote:
I know it's not rated as highly in the US

And where did you get that impression from? Most of our kids dream, from age 8 on, is to go to the Olympics and then become a world professional pro.

I know it's not rated as highly in the US

And where did you get that impression from? Most of our kids dream, from age 8 on, is to go to the Olympics and then become a world professional pro.

I think that the Olympics are not as big a deal in the U.S. for SPECTATORS. The general public doesn't seem to really care. Perhaps in other countries it's a bigger deal.

[boxmel]

I think that the Olympics are not as big a deal in the U.S. for SPECTATORS.

Oh, sorry. You didn't state that before.

The general public doesn't seem to really care. Perhaps in other countries it's a bigger deal.

And your opinion comes from a study or a poll? I think if the GP is interested in a specific sport (or sports) they care. If the GP doesn't like sports, they won't care. For instance, I like (1) boxing; (2) gymnastics; (3) track and field and (4) swimming. Could care less about the others.

[scottmallon]

Here in Thailand, the Olympics are a huge spectator sport. Anytime a Thai team or person is playing, employees of offices, restaurants, paint shops, and even banks stop, and everyone, customers included, takes time out to watch. Eight years ago, I was in a huge restaurant and beer was the only thing served during a Thai fighters bout. The cooks were sitting in the restaurant watching the fights. Even now, when I've told people I'm going to China, each person has asked, "Oh, for the Olympics?"

[boxmel]

I think the U.S. is inundated and overwhelmed with a plethora of sporting events - there is just too much to see and do that specific amateur events bear the brunt of diminished interest. One of our amateur boxers came and trained with the Thai team last year. He enjoyed his visit; didn't make the team (he's Thai) and came home. He'll be in Beijing supporting our boxers (and Thailand's, too, probably).

Have a good time and we'll look for your comments here.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Seems like at least this year, NBC and others have committed to getting the public onboard. With 3600 hrs. of coverage on TV/Online, I think that a lot more people will take interest. The online community has really taken off (viral videos, web 2.0, etc) since '04, so I think people will be more receptive to electronic delivery of the games as opposed to broadcast only.

We'll see. I know that I'll be watching and getting very little sleep to watch some of our boxing live. . .