Wilder goes pro

[pound per pound]

Deontay Wilder 2008 olympic bronze medalist signs today with Shelly Finkel in his hometown of Tuscaloosa Alabama.

[Asterix]

Thanks for the info!

[boxmel]

I'm not holding my breath for his overwhelming success in the pro heavyweight division. 8)

[Puncher7]

can't say thats a big surprise after seeing shelly finkel follow him around at the trials I kind of expected it

and as for wilder's success he'll do fine

[NYboxing]

Wilder is scheduled to be on tonight's FNF on ESPN as a studio guest. You can go on their website and send him a question and cross your fingers if it gets picked.

Also looks like he will be signing with Golden Boy

[hurricanemitch14]

It would have been stupid of him not to turn pro, even tho he is still pretty raw.....a us heavyweight with an olympic medal, oh yea dollars!!!

[boxmel]

Code: Select all

It would have been stupid of him not to turn pro, even tho he is still pretty raw.....

I disagree. 8)

a us heavyweight with an olympic medal, oh yea dollars!!!

And just how many $$$$$ do you think he's going to make? Hmmmm?????

[a87star]

From what I heard last night from someone is that Deontay signed with Shelley Finkel. Can't confirm it though.

[NYboxing]

he is said it last night on the FNF telecast.

[caboxingfan21]

Code: Select all

It would have been stupid of him not to turn pro, even tho he is still pretty raw.....

I disagree. 8)

a us heavyweight with an olympic medal, oh yea dollars!!!

And just how many $$$$$ do you think he's going to make? Hmmmm?????

Just to inform you boxmel, recent articles have been released citing that Deontay received and undisclosed 6-figure bonus from Shelly Finkel and Golden Boy Promotions has already guaranteed him another 6-figure bonus once he signs. To me that is quite a bit of $$$$$ to begin a career with and as long as he wins and continues to grow as a fighter in the pros, he will only make more $$$$$. If he is intelligent with the money he makes in bonuses and the money he could potentially earn in the next 4-6 years, there is no reason why it should not last him a lifetime. I don't see Deontay staying in the amateurs another 4 years the proper choice if that is what you were hinting at by disagreeing with him turning pro. Deontay would be 26 by then and far beyond the age that an amateur should be commencing his professional career. He will undoubtedly make more money turning pro compared to working an ordinary job... not bad for a father desperate to help his daughter.

[boxmel]

I don't see Deontay staying in the amateurs another 4 years the proper choice if that is what you were hinting at by disagreeing with him turning pro.

It wasn't.

[lukerunion]

Thats what I read inbetween the lines. "It wasn't" doesnt really help explain what you meant... care to indulge us, Mel?

[boxmel]

I apologize for the lack of understanding on the part of some readers - yes, it would be nice if Wilder stayed amatuer; no, I didn't think he would.

[caboxingfan21]

I apologize for the lack of understand on the part of some readers - yes, it would be nice if Wilder stayed amatuer; no, I didn't think he would.

It is not the lack of understanding on the part of readers, it is vague way in which you deliver your opinions; general ideas and opinions leave way for assumptions...as shown by the reaction to your above statements. Having a more direct and clear opinion would solve such a problem.

[Dennis]

Luke - I haven't seen any posts from you in a long time. Are you still going to college? Still boxing? Coaching? Give me an update.

[lukerunion]

dennis, whats up.

i graduated last spring and started working, i coach the university of maryland club team and am the registration chair this season for the NCBA. i am active with the aac and hope to keep being involved with usa boxing, even though now I just like to get in the ring for fun with my learning boxers.

in the meantime ive been off the forums but i check it now and then. i havent really felt like posting for a while. i disagree with a lot of the negativity. i want to try to bring some positivity. i'll try to do that from here on out.

[boxmel]

i disagree with a lot of the negativity. i want to try to bring some positivity. i'll try to do that from here on out.

Care to indulge us, Luke?

[lukerunion]

mel,

i'm going to try and suggest that the "constructive criticism" of these boards be used for the assistance of usa boxing, by posting topics for discussion. as an athlete rep for two committees, i've been asked to find out what athletes really think about certain issues. i've done my best to ask around with very little response from other athletes. in reality the majority of our athletes are children without drivers licenses. the Athlete Advisory Counsel has a good group of hard working boxer-reps, but its impossible for us not to share individual opinions from our own unique experiences. I want us to be more representative of the entire athlete body, and that should include opinions from anyone online, coaches, parents, etc., because ideally, we are all working for the athlete with their best interest in mind.

for a long time, i thought why can't usaboxing.org have its own forum, but in retrospect, it is cheaper and just as effective for us to use this already popular forum to benefit the AAC.

i feel confident that if i can direct some conversation into tangible action items/ ie recommendations from the AAC, then people will appreciate this board more as a place for their voice to be heard, rather than a place for mongers of animosity towards the powers that be.

consider yourself indulged.

[boxmel]

Thanks for indulging. :) I am sorry, however, that you feel much of what has been stated on the various threads is negative - at least that's how I'm interpreting your views. I think there are many good suggestions and points of view on the recent threads that could help make USA Boxing a better organization. You may not like, or agree with, opinions that have been voiced here but those opinions have been stated because most people care about the athletes and the sport as a whole. If you are looking for roses without thorns, you will be doing a disservice to your fellow athletes and USA Boxing.

You might want to start an athlete's blog on the USAB web site as another means of communicating.

[Dennis]

Luke. Congrats on your graduation. I do know that there are some boxers that post on this forum, but many more coaches, officials and fans. Boxers tend to prefer myspace, facebook, and other social networking sites.

[Dennis]

Positive change. Good luck Luke. I have tried to influence change to make amateur boxing better. I conduct coaches clinics and help out in other ways too. The more people that try to help improve our sport, the more likely it will improve.

[lukerunion]

mel,

i don't agree with your roses without thorns analogy. if usa boxing is a rose, i take it to my biologist friend and we cross breed that rose until it grows without thorns. i write this as i eat seedless watermelon. i am not denying the existence of thorns, only that i intend to work them out. not allow them to grow as they always have with the expectation that they always will.

usaboxing might have an athlete blog one day, right now angel bovee is working on the aac site. it should be linked soon. there is only so much i can do on the internet. i am no longer a student who sits and types papers a few hours a day and gets distracted online. besides email, i am lucky to get online a few hours a week - but lord knows i try.

dennis,

thank you. it feels good to be an alumni. i too try to be a little piece of the puzzle. and thats enough analogies for tonight.

goodnight all

[allworld80]

[Marlin]

Should make it as a pro

[allworld80]

Should make it as a pro

I disagree