Wilder goes pro

[Auzzie001]

Should make it as a pro

I disagree

Why? i think he could be a great pro.. As if hed wait another 4 years for another olympics 8)

[unleash06]

[Dennis]

Deontay will make an interesting story as a pro. If marketed properly and given a good trainer, he could progress well.

[Dennis]

I could see him boxing in the pros at around 220-230#. He has a long frame to fill out.

[Dennis]

You can't teach 6'7" or 80+" reach. He has both.

[Dennis]

He seems to have the desire to work hard and learn. That is very important. Will that stay with him once he gets some $$$ in his pocket? If so, then he might do well.

[boxmel]

Hey, Dennis - you could try condensing your posts into one thought - or are you having random thoughts too far apart to do this?

[Dennis]

Sometimes I write long posts and then I lose it with a computer glitch. It is less risky to just post shorter ones.

[scottmallon]

One problem with amateur boxing - FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE OPINIONS AND EXPECT TO BE HEARD! Too many Generals and not enough soldiers.

[boxmel]

One problem with amateur boxing - FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE OPINIONS AND EXPECT TO BE HEARD! Too many Generals and not enough soldiers.

Sorry, Scott - I think you have it backwards. There aren't any generals, at least not currently. There are plenty of soldiers but no one to direct them. Any effectiveness the soldiers may have had was taken from them in 2006. Too many people having opinions is the democratic way. Unfortunately, amateur boxing is like the rest of the U.S. - no one is being listened to. This is an all volunteer organization. Most are members because they love the sport and care about young people (even some of the older ones!). Why shouldn't we have a voice and a say in how our organization is run?

[scottmallon]

One problem with amateur boxing - FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE OPINIONS AND EXPECT TO BE HEARD! Too many Generals and not enough soldiers.

Sorry, Scott - I think you have it backwards. There aren't any generals, at least not currently. There are plenty of soldiers but no one to direct them. Any effectiveness the soldiers may have had was taken from them in 2006. Too many people having opinions is the democratic way. Unfortunately, amateur boxing is like the rest of the U.S. - no one is being listened to. This is an all volunteer organization. Most are members because they love the sport and care about young people (even some of the older ones!). Why shouldn't we have a voice and a say in how our organization is run?

Certainly there is a chain of command in the organization, correct? If the General chooses not to act as such, then someone needs to take command that is willing to do so. Frankly, it seems there are so many problems with the US program that 4 years may not be long enough. The program doesn't need to be tinkered with, it needs to be completely overhauled. The current method clearly is not working. Neither, for that matter, is the scoring system.

Admittedly, I don't know nearly as much as I'd like to about amateur boxing, but I learned quite a bit and this whole experience has sparked my interest. I'll be following it much more closely in the coming years.

A few things...

Was anyone listening to Dan Campbell? Did he listen?

Nobody listened to Emmanuel Steward and from what I understand and what you're saying, this is a problem endemic to the program. People need to be listen and informed decisions made, popular or unpopular (like the residency).

Just who is it that has the power to change the way things are run?

Also, is the training, and the coaching a matter of money? What I mean is, does the program have enough money? Would Manny Steward work for free?

Honestly, it seems far too complicated and if Mauritius and India can make headway and produce competitive fighters - why can't the US? How does a boxing program that has produced some of boxing's greatest fighters fall to a depth where a novice 22-year-old is the only medal winner?

The Olympics are an event to bring the world together in a peaceful fashion, but at the end of the day, American boxing fans want and expect results. Hopefully in London, we'll get them.

[Dennis]

One problem with amateur boxing - FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE OPINIONS AND EXPECT TO BE HEARD! Too many Generals and not enough soldiers.

Sorry, Scott - I think you have it backwards. There aren't any generals, at least not currently. There are plenty of soldiers but no one to direct them. Any effectiveness the soldiers may have had was taken from them in 2006. Too many people having opinions is the democratic way. Unfortunately, amateur boxing is like the rest of the U.S. - no one is being listened to. This is an all volunteer organization. Most are members because they love the sport and care about young people (even some of the older ones!). Why shouldn't we have a voice and a say in how our organization is run?

Certainly there is a chain of command in the organization, correct? If the General chooses not to act as such, then someone needs to take command that is willing to do so. Frankly, it seems there are so many problems with the US program that 4 years may not be long enough. The program doesn't need to be tinkered with, it needs to be completely overhauled. The current method clearly is not working. Neither, for that matter, is the scoring system.

Admittedly, I don't know nearly as much as I'd like to about amateur boxing, but I learned quite a bit and this whole experience has sparked my interest. I'll be following it much more closely in the coming years.

A few things...

Was anyone listening to Dan Campbell? Did he listen?

Not too many boxers. Not really, he wanted to do things his way and only his way. It was HIS TEAM.

Nobody listened to Emmanuel Steward and from what I understand and what you're saying, this is a problem endemic to the program. People need to be listen and informed decisions made, popular or unpopular (like the residency).

Just who is it that has the power to change the way things are run?

CEO Jim Millman and the BOD. There are some good people on the board so I don't understand why things aren't improving.

Also, is the training, and the coaching a matter of money? What I mean is, does the program have enough money? Would Manny Steward work for free?

The program never seems to have enough money and it is always a major issue. The program should do a lot more. Manny was not working for free and neither was Dan.

Honestly, it seems far too complicated and if Mauritius and India can make headway and produce competitive fighters - why can't the US? How does a boxing program that has produced some of boxing's greatest fighters fall to a depth where a novice 22-year-old is the only medal winner?

By allowing AIBA to be influenced over the years to change amateur boxing so much that the once great U.S. boxers no longer would have any advantages due to the changes in styles, scoring, rules, etc. It doesn't help that these changes have made Olympic boxing boring and less fan and TV friendly. Fewer boxers are interested in sticking around for the Olympics for these reasons. Many of our would-be Olympic champions have 10-20 pro bouts under their belts instead of competing in the Olympics.

The Olympics are an event to bring the world together in a peaceful fashion, but at the end of the day, American boxing fans want and expect results. Hopefully in London, we'll get them.

[/quote]Only if drastic changes are made.

[boxmel]

Would Manny Steward work for free?

Manny Steward was the National Coaching Director, paid a fee, and lasted maybe a year. He didn't come through with any of the promises he made prior to being hired and didn't do anything that affected the coaching program or athletes.

[Dennis]

Would Manny Steward work for free?

Manny Steward was the National Coaching Director, paid a fee, and lasted maybe a year. He didn't come through with any of the promises he made prior to being hired and didn't do anything that affected the coaching program or athletes.

Yes he did! His inaction definitely affected the program. I like Manny, but he was too busy with his other endeavors to devote enough time or energy to his official duties. I think he viewed it as an honorary position, but that is definitely not what USAB needed or needs today.

[boxmel]

I think he viewed it as an honorary position, but that is definitely not what USAB needed or needs today.

Since when do honarary positions come with salaries? 8)

[squarering]

USAB is not strong enough to handle an athlete or coaches blog. The fear of negative comments that could be a catharsis for the organization would create too much discomfort in the beginning to for management to bear. However it could be best solution to fixing things if given a chance.

[Dennis]

I think they might be surprised by some of the comments and would be expecting some of them.

[boxmel]

I think many of those comments have been expressed on this forum and for quite some time. I know that USAB monitors the discussions. This being so, it must be like reading a novel to them - you can see all the pain and frustration and suggestions but don't have to determine the end of the story.

[Dennis]

Someone at the HQ better start some chapters soon or the final chapter may be written for them.

[boxmel]

Yeah - the book may just be yanked out of their hands and they'll be left holding nothing.

[Dennis]

That is very true Mel. I was tempted to use slang and say "True that Mel" as I know you are a huge fan of slang.

[boxmel]

[squarering]

THEY READ THIS BLOG!!!! There goes any of my kids chances of ever getting a free custom fit mouthpiece from CO.

[Dennis]

THEY READ!!!! There goes any of my kids chances of ever getting a free custom fit mouthpiece from CO.

I corrected your post. You had a couple of extra words that were superfluous.

[rmz]

Should make it as a pro

Too early to tell. His lack of amateur experience is probably the biggest negative, but he has good size and power. I guess it all really depends on how they move him and how he develops in the future.