where's isiah thomas

[champ20]

where is amateur boxer isiah thomas?

[Dennis]

I haven't seen him at any amateur shows or tournaments in about 1 year. Craig Lewis is now on the Kronk boxing team and Isiah isn't. I heard that he was working in the Klitschko training camp. Anyone have confirmation of that?

[yiddo14]

How much did this lad have?

Manny is known for bigging up his prospects, but did this lad have anything special about him?

No doubt you have seen him fight in the past Dennis. Did/Do you rate the kid?

[Dennis]

Isiah had potential. He was a typical Kronk style boxer with a southpaw stance. He had decent hand and foot speed and good boxing skills. He wasn't a huge puncher, but the quickness made up for it. He liked to move a lot and avoid in-fighting. He had the style to succeed at Olympic-style boxing. I'm not sure if he could handle the power of the big guys as he seemed to get hurt on occasion and didn't want any part of it. I know he had some personal issues that held him back and his own attitude hurt him. This is one that Manny had high hopes for and I think it was more realistic than his other prized pupil - Octavio Lara who I never thought was going to have a chance at becoming a world champ.

How is that for an analysis?

[yiddo14]

Isiah had potential. He was a typical Kronk style boxer with a southpaw stance. He had decent hand and foot speed and good boxing skills. He wasn't a huge puncher, but the quickness made up for it. He liked to move a lot and avoid in-fighting. He had the style to succeed at Olympic-style boxing. I'm not sure if he could handle the power of the big guys as he seemed to get hurt on occasion and didn't want any part of it. I know he had some personal issues that held him back and his own attitude hurt him. This is one that Manny had high hopes for and I think it was more realistic than his other prized pupil - Octavio Lara who I never thought was going to have a chance at becoming a world champ.

How is that for an analysis?

[Sportssummary]

I've heard that comment about Octavio before, Dennis, and I hate to hear it (even if it might be true) because he was the first pro boxer I met and THE reason I attended my first pro fight and started to report on the pro side of the sport.

Re: Isiah, I saw him fight at the Under 19 tourney in 2006 (or was it 05?) and believe he lost the first round. I was not impressed at all. For what it's worth.

[Dennis]

Isiah had his ups and downs like many boxers. It seems he couldn't adjust to the open-class elite level and/or dealing with life as an adult. Many talented J.O. boxers have run into the same problems in their late teens.