Wilder gets bronze

[skinnyman]

I just did a Google news search and found an article stating that Wilder lost to Russo 7-1 and earned a bronze medal. Congratulations to Deontay, the least experienced of our team, for getting the bronze and saving face for us. I am sure he showed good sportsmanship too which is worth more than the medal. I also never heard him complain about the residency program or anything else. He worked hard to get there and made the most out of it and was always thankful in every interview I saw him in.

[debc]

Congratulations to Deontay! Glad he won a Bronze Medal, well deserved. Good luck to him and his family.

[Dennis]

Good job Deontay.

[Hugo]

Outstanding job,

[hitman_hatton1]

terrible olympics for the american team.

only 1 medal is embarassing for them.

even GB have done better.

[Dennis]

The USA team did poorly, but this is about a 6'7" guy who just did the unimaginable. He won a medal in the Olympics after boxing for less than 3 years.

[squarering]

Deont'e Wilder's accomplishment is huge when considering all the facts. Great job Deont'e. I am so proud of proud of you.

[hurricanemitch14]

great job...im real impressed with deontay...they give a few points early in the fight and take away a few bogus points for russo and this is a different fight......he was screwed imo.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Great job, Deontay. Keeping with the subject of this thread, I'm very proud of what you accomplished as you should be too. Don't let anything take away from what you did. You are an Olympic medalist!

[Kolya]

Is the big man here? He was the surprise of the Olympic team. He'll be a good pro, you could see him learning in every match he had.

[Ron C]

Thank god for Deontay Wilder! I hope he has great success in the future!

[Hugo]

USA Olympic team C
Coaching staff C-
Gary Rusell Lost of words
Warren and Andrade Heartbreaking
Ali, and Molina Victor and Luna were missing
Yanez Overconfident
Williams Robbed
Wilder Priceless

[pound per pound]

Wilder is the first USA heavy or super heavy to medal since....1992. I think.

I am disappointed with TEAM USA. Only one boxer stuck around to see Wilder fight. Wilder is OK, but to be honest he got a lucky draw to get where he was. Not taking from him. Unlike some of his teammates, Wilder seemed to stay focused.

As for his chances as a pro, I think Clay-Bey, and Brock has more talent. Wilder is not the next good American heavy to come out of the Olympics. The search continues….

[Kolya]

So a guy who's 6'7 and started boxing less than 3 years ago is less talented than Lawrence Clay Bey or Calvin Brock?

[pound per pound]

So a guy who's 6'7 and started boxing less than 3 years ago is less talented than Lawrence Clay Bey or Calvin Brock

Wilder looked slow, without power. He could not even use his height or reach to his advantage.

At least Brock had some speed and power. At 6'7" 201 pounds, Wilder is rail thin. Yes, I think Clay Bey and Brock have more upside.

[Kolya]

That's funny, because it's known how ridiculously strong Deontay is. They first tested it in training camp and then in his previous fights this Olympics he showed it when he smacked his first opponent all over the ring. He has probably only 30 matches under his belt and has been boxing for less than 3 years and he's an Olympic medalist. He's got a ton more upside than Cley-Bey or Brock; particularly if he starts at Cruiserweight.

[hurricanemitch14]

Wilder is known for his strength and punching power.... i was giving him a chance to medal just b/c of his power.

[pound per pound]

That's funny, because it's known how ridiculously strong Deontay is. They first tested it in training camp and then in his previous fights this Olympics he showed it when he smacked his first opponent all over the ring. He has probably only 30 matches under his belt and has been boxing for less than 3 years and he's an Olympic medalist. He's got a ton more upside than Cley-Bey or Brock; particularly if he starts at Cruiserweight.

That is good to know. I did not see much speed or power in him vs Russo at all. He looks rail thin at 201 pounds. I think you're right, Cruiser might be better for him.

[boxmel]

So a guy who's 6'7 and started boxing less than 3 years ago is less talented than Lawrence Clay Bey or Calvin Brock?

Yes, he is quite a bit less talented than Calvin Brock was as an amateur. He also had a very easy bracket. He's a really nice person with a good story (Millman is going to use him as his poster boy ad nauseum) but I don't think he's going to start any fireworks in the pros. He should probably stay amateur another 4 years - and then let's see what he can do.

[pound per pound]

I agree with Mel. Brock had more going for him. That said Wilder was a good story. Wilder over achieved, and did a fine job wearing the USA uniform.

[Canada]

Wilder would defantly be served by staying amatuer for a couple more years, so he can develope more as a fighter. He has more power than Clay-Bey and Brock but when you watch those guys fight they are obviously alot more "polished" than Deontay. I think he would improve his technique and skills with some more amatuer experience, 3 years is nothing. . but I doubt that will happen because hes 23 and the money will be there for him now which is very tempting, and I know that he is really focused on supporting his daughter.

[boxmel]

and the money will be there for him now which is very tempting,

Canada, this is actually a myth that keeps getting perpetuated. There really isn't much money in the pros any more (several pro coaches and managers I've talked to also agree). Andre Ward, our only gold medalist in 2004, only got a $500,000 signing bonus compared to the millions given Ricardo Williams and Rocky Juarez. Wilder doesn't even have their credentials. I doubt that he will be able to make enough money to support a family by turning pro.

[therealPunchDrunk]

Brit James DeGale has reportedly been offered 1 milion £ to turn pro (app. 2 million $). I guess that's another indication that the crisis boxing is supposedly in, is primarily in the US. It seems to be flourishing in Europe and Asia.

[geenolv]

and the money will be there for him now which is very tempting,

Canada, this is actually a myth that keeps getting perpetuated. There really isn't much money in the pros any more (several pro coaches and managers I've talked to also agree). Andre Ward, our only gold medalist in 2004, only got a $500,000 signing bonus compared to the millions given Ricardo Williams and Rocky Juarez. Wilder doesn't even have their credentials. I doubt that he will be able to make enough money to support a family by turning pro.

He sure won't support a family staying amateur.

[PRKO]

and the money will be there for him now which is very tempting,

Canada, this is actually a myth that keeps getting perpetuated. There really isn't much money in the pros any more (several pro coaches and managers I've talked to also agree). Andre Ward, our only gold medalist in 2004, only got a $500,000 signing bonus compared to the millions given Ricardo Williams and Rocky Juarez. Wilder doesn't even have their credentials. I doubt that he will be able to make enough money to support a family by turning pro.

Oh like he will make so much money in the amateurs...