Tell me it isn't so

[Dennis]

This Friday's pro boxing includes the debut of Adam Willett and another bout for Will Rosinsky. What I can't believe is they have Emmanuel Taylor listed as having his pro debut at a different show in Maryland. I hope it isn't true and he stays amateur for at least another year or two. He is a good boxer, but I believe he is only 17 or 18. He could use a few more national tournaments in the open class under his belt.

[JMac]

This Friday's pro boxing includes the debut of Adam Willett and another bout for Will Rosinsky. What I can't believe is they have Emmanuel Taylor listed as having his pro debut at a different show in Maryland. I hope it isn't true and he stays amateur for at least another year or two. He is a good boxer, but I believe he is only 17 or 18. He could use a few more national tournaments in the open class under his belt.

You read right. His father decided to turn him pro.

[Dennis]

I hope they don't regret that decision.

[atlanta coach]

Even at a young age he has had alot of fights. It seems hes taking the opposite path than that of his brother - he was around a long time in the amatuers.

[Dennis]

Even at a young age he has had alot of fights. It seems hes taking the opposite path than that of his brother - he was around a long time in the amatuers.

Actually Maxell turned pro at 19 years 1 month old. That is not exactly sticking around a long time in the amateurs. It seems more like they are making the same mistake with Manny. He is turning pro at 18 years 1 month of age. Maxell's career seems to be over as his last bout was over 2 years ago when he was still a month shy of his 22nd birthday.

I hope Manny does well.

[ZMOMMI]

I hope Manny does well.

I hope Manny does well also. My son fought him at the 2007 JOs. Zeddie was hoping to see him again now that he is open. Too bad. Our boys go pro at such a young age.

[Dennis]

I hope Manny does well.

I hope Manny does well also. My son fought him at the 2007 JOs. Zeddie was hoping to see him again now that he is open. Too bad. Our boys go pro at such a young age.

zeddie is a very good boxer. I have seen him a couple of times at regional tournaments. I will probably see him in Akron at the Great Lakes regional over the Memorial Day weekend.

[rmz]

I don't get why guys are going professional at age 18...their bodies are not done growing yet and they're just kids getting in and fighting with men. Why not wait until you're 22? I know a lot of guys feel like they have reached as far as they can go in the amateurs after Olympic Trials, but I think more time in the amateurs will do guys well for the pros and also give them a little more time to mature physically and emotionally.

A good example is Hylon Williams Jr. He was so close to making the Olympic Team, but he got beat out by Raynell Williams. I believe he was 17 years old when he turned professional. He was young enough to go for the Olympics again in four years. Yes it is a bit of a risk because there is a chance he wouldn't make it again, but he'd have the experience of competing at trials before and that would give him an advantage. Plus what is he doing right now? Just fighting a bunch of "learning fights." He'll get to fight better caliber fighters in the amateurs and he gives himself a chance to grow some.

[ZMOMMI]

I hope Manny does well.

I hope Manny does well also. My son fought him at the 2007 JOs. Zeddie was hoping to see him again now that he is open. Too bad. Our boys go pro at such a young age.

zeddie is a very good boxer. I have seen him a couple of times at regional tournaments. I will probably see him in Akron at the Great Lakes regional over the Memorial Day weekend.

Thank you. Does Zeddie know you? Where did you get the Akron info from?

[Dennis]

I don't get why guys are going professional at age 18...their bodies are not done growing yet and they're just kids getting in and fighting with men. Why not wait until you're 22? I know a lot of guys feel like they have reached as far as they can go in the amateurs after Olympic Trials, but I think more time in the amateurs will do guys well for the pros and also give them a little more time to mature physically and emotionally.

A good example is Hylon Williams Jr. He was so close to making the Olympic Team, but he got beat out by Raynell Williams. I believe he was 17 years old when he turned professional. He was young enough to go for the Olympics again in four years. Yes it is a bit of a risk because there is a chance he wouldn't make it again, but he'd have the experience of competing at trials before and that would give him an advantage. Plus what is he doing right now? Just fighting a bunch of "learning fights." He'll get to fight better caliber fighters in the amateurs and he gives himself a chance to grow some.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Dennis]

Thank you. Does Zeddie know you? Where did you get the Akron info from?

I have said hi and congratulated him a few times, but that is about it. So he probably wouldn't know me by name, but he might remember seeing me.

As far as Akron goes, that is what I heard. I know it is in Ohio for sure and I thought Akron was the city. I will find out for sure this weekend and post it. It will definitely be over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It will also be a combined tournament, the Regional JO Championship and the Senior Men's Regional Championship. Our LBC is also doing a combined tournament as is USA Boxing in June (well actually the two tournaments are both in Denver at the same time, but there is the possibility that they will be in two different buildings).

[ZMOMMI]

Thank you. Does Zeddie know you? Where did you get the Akron info from?

I have said hi and congratulated him a few times, but that is about it. So he probably wouldn't know me by name, but he might remember seeing me.

As far as Akron goes, that is what I heard. I know it is in Ohio for sure and I thought Akron was the city. I will find out for sure this weekend and post it. It will definitely be over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It will also be a combined tournament, the Regional JO Championship and the Senior Men's Regional Championship. Our LBC is also doing a combined tournament as is USA Boxing in June (well actually the two tournaments are both in Denver at the same time, but there is the possibility that they will be in two different buildings).

Thank You. Where are you from Dennis?

[Puncher7]

I don't get why guys are going professional at age 18...their bodies are not done growing yet and they're just kids getting in and fighting with men. Why not wait until you're 22? I know a lot of guys feel like they have reached as far as they can go in the amateurs after Olympic Trials, but I think more time in the amateurs will do guys well for the pros and also give them a little more time to mature physically and emotionally.

A good example is Hylon Williams Jr. He was so close to making the Olympic Team, but he got beat out by Raynell Williams. I believe he was 17 years old when he turned professional. He was young enough to go for the Olympics again in four years. Yes it is a bit of a risk because there is a chance he wouldn't make it again, but he'd have the experience of competing at trials before and that would give him an advantage. Plus what is he doing right now? Just fighting a bunch of "learning fights." He'll get to fight better caliber fighters in the amateurs and he gives himself a chance to grow some.

I'm sure the signing bonus he got from golden boy had a little bit to do with him not staying amateur

[atlanta coach]

i didnt know he was only 19 - he probably started boxing at 8 (11 yrs. of competition) and had over 200 amateur fights ( they fight alot in the D.C. area).. to me thats being around a long time. Sometimes to many amatuer fights is a bad thing .. I heard manny lost a close fight at the under 19s. I agree Manny probably should of stayed around a little longer. Dennis what gym are you with in Michigan?

[Dennis]

Thank you. Does Zeddie know you? Where did you get the Akron info from?

I have said hi and congratulated him a few times, but that is about it. So he probably wouldn't know me by name, but he might remember seeing me.

As far as Akron goes, that is what I heard. I know it is in Ohio for sure and I thought Akron was the city. I will find out for sure this weekend and post it. It will definitely be over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It will also be a combined tournament, the Regional JO Championship and the Senior Men's Regional Championship. Our LBC is also doing a combined tournament as is USA Boxing in June (well actually the two tournaments are both in Denver at the same time, but there is the possibility that they will be in two different buildings).

Thank You. Where are you from Dennis?

Grand Rapids, Michigan. Our gym is the Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA) boxing club.