The class of 2008, how will they do as pros??

[thepocketrocket]

I remember reading an article in Boxing Monthly years back about the American class of 2000, names such as Jeff Lacy and Jermain Taylor and how they would do as pros(god I wish I had that still, it was quality). It got me thinking, presuming our boys go pro how will they fare in the paid ranks??

Could names such as Frankie Gavin end up as succesful as Jermian Taylor or will Yafai end up like Clarence Vinson??

What do you rhink??

[stujones]

I think there is a lot of talent there.... although always hard to tell if they have the punch resistance and stuff.

Think Gavin, Billy Jo Sanders, and Degale are the stand outs with the best chance of making it.

A few that didn't make the team also - Mo Nassir has bags of talent (but will struggle to get the fights/sparring)

And there is that fella, who name always escapes me I think its something like Matthew McGuire? Very young - will probably hang on for London... but he looks the business when he won the ABA's last year. Sorry for not being vague - he either fights at Gavin's or Joe Murray's weight cause that was the reason why he couldn't really try for the games. He looked like he has a real pro style about him.

[stujones]

Although I've watched the Olympics extensively and there is no-one I have though wow about.

[deadpan]

They'll do bugger all.

Statistically that's a safe statement.

[Stephen]

Kind of tough to say. A lot of promoters spent money on some total busts but then again a lot of quality champs have been good Olympians. I think the tell-tale signs that a fighter will make it as a professional champion as well as an Olympic champion is if during major tournaments; he shows devestating power, kind of like Kostya Tzsyu or routinely outclasses top opponents, sort of like Roy Jones Jr. Also, a fighter who consistently wins or places high in major international tournaments may have something as well. The guys who win arbitrarily via lucky draw and incompotent officiating and judging muck up the waters a bit, and there's plenty of that going around this year.

[Obligate Parasite]

And there is that fella, who name always escapes me I think its something like Matthew McGuire? Very young - will probably hang on for London... but he looks the business when he won the ABA's last year. Sorry for not being vague - he either fights at Gavin's or Joe Murray's weight cause that was the reason why he couldn't really try for the games. He looked like he has a real pro style about him.

I take it you mean Michale Maguire - he annaounced he was turning pro with Hayemaker promotions last month

[TerribleTerry]

Yes its Michael Maguire from Kettering School of Boxing - the lad is class and will make a cracking pro.

Think he was the last Brit to beat Joe Murray if I remember rightly..

[stujones]

Excellent signing by Haymaker there - think it could be a mistake by McGuire - thought he should have hung around till London.

[Old bones Ian]

The Ukranian in the featerweight final WILL be a world champion if he decides to go pro. A wicked little fighter the best of the tournament by far. Val Barker trophy i think.

Agree there Vasyl Lomachenko is his name, but he's got a tough one in the final in Shahin Imranov, who's looked pretty decent so far.
Lomachenko is my favourite so far though.

And although Darren Sutherland was outfoxed today by DeGale, i still think he'll be a hit as a pro.
Bradley Saunders may go some way as well, after a dissapointing olympics he may decide to go pro.

[twenty six]

For the avoidance of doubt, Michael makes his pro debut on 20-09-08 on the show in Sheffield promoted b Hayemaker.
The bill is looking good.

[TerribleTerry]

For those who havent see him, here is Maguire as a junior a few years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m0MXmLdFoI

The lad is class.

His opponent isnt bad either - undefeated now 5-0 as a pro Rhys Roberts.

[grim reaper]

Micheal Maguire has never boxed Joe Murray !!

[twenty six]

TT,
You comin to Sheffield ?

[TerribleTerry]

Micheal Maguire has never boxed Joe Murray !!

My bad. I thought that I had read that somewhere..

EDIT: It was fellow Olympian Khalid Yafai that Maguire beat as a schoolboy, not Murray.

[TerribleTerry]

TT,
You comin to Sheffield ?

Should be a good un from the way the card is shapin up.

I will have a word with a few mates and see if they fancy the trip!

[twenty six]

Reason I mention it Terry, is cos the tickets are going like hot cakes.
Only 45's left, all ringside and 35's gone.
I expect a sell out very soon.

[TerribleTerry]

Glad to hear that the bill is selling well - it deserves to. Should be a cracking starter for Hayemaker..

Due to be in Manchester for the Macklin fight in early sept so will have to see how things go before diving in for another show - the credit cruch is biting!