Article about USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman

[Dennis]

Article about USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman

The article can be found by clicking this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_ ... llman.html

Millman is incorrect about one thing. LeBron James would be a super-heavyweight not a heavyweight. There is no way LeBron could ever get down to 201 pounds.

It is also annoying when people always think they could take a skilled basketball or football player and turn them into a boxing superstar. It really is sad that USA Boxing’s CEO makes those kinds of statements. Did he ever hear of Ed “Too Tall” Jones? Jones was an NFL great, but wasn’t that great in the ring. Yes he was undefeated against bums, but so what. How about Mark Gastineau? Basketball players – Kendall Gill ring any bells? There have been many college football and basketball players that have tried boxing and found out that it is a lot tougher than it looks. Ex-pro football players have stunk up the place in the Toughman competitions too. William “the Refrigerator” Perry tried it and wasn’t very good.

It is also scary to think that the guy leading our organization thinks that he could stick a former NFL coach into the position of Olympic boxing coach and have success. There are too many things that are different about the two sports and it would take too long for that coach to learn the intricacies of our sport for him to be successful in 2012. We need someone who knows boxing and the type of training that works for amateur boxers. We don't need a coach who trains the boxers like he would train football players, weightlifters, basketball players or athletes in any other sports. There are exercises and techniques that can work for various sports, but there are also sport specific training techniques.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Article about USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman

The article can be found by clicking this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_ ... llman.html

Millman is incorrect about one thing. LeBron James would be a super-heavyweight not a heavyweight. There is no way LeBron could ever get down to 201 pounds.

It is also annoying when people always think they could take a skilled basketball or football player and turn them into a boxing superstar. It really is sad that USA Boxing’s CEO makes those kinds of statements. Did he ever hear of Ed “Too Tall” Jones? Jones was an NFL great, but wasn’t that great in the ring. Yes he was undefeated against bums, but so what. How about Mark Gastineau? Basketball players – Kendall Gill ring any bells? There have been many college football and basketball players that have tried boxing and found out that it is a lot tougher than it looks. Ex-pro football players have stunk up the place in the Toughman competitions too. William “the Refrigerator” Perry tried it and wasn’t very good.

It is also scary to think that the guy leading our organization thinks that he could stick a former NFL coach into the position of Olympic boxing coach and have success. There are too many things that are different about the two sports and it would take too long for that coach to learn the intricacies of our sport for him to be successful in 2012. We need someone who knows boxing and the type of training that works for amateur boxers. We don't need a coach who trains the boxers like he would train football players, weightlifters, basketball players or athletes in any other sports. There are exercises and techniques that can work for various sports, but there are also sport specific training techniques.

Even if joking, we really need every press opportunity to promote real issues in the sport. Just my two cents. . .can't wait to see the coach selection.

[atlanta coach]

D.C. who do you think the next coach will be, Or who do you think it should be?

Do you know who the football coach was they mentioned in that article?

[coachgiovanni]

Everyone is putting too much emphasis on the national coach. We need a national coach in place but there also has to be room to allow the natural coaches to be involved in their boxers preparation. The national coach, when in place, needs to be a guy that these young boxers can relate to. Its sort of sad but todays kids seem to have a hard time relating to and performing for some of the "old School" coaches. Some of them do not realize how knowledgable these coaches are. We all know that boxing is about being comfortable and confident. A kid can have all of the skills in the world but he/she is not commfortable with the person in their corner they are not going to perform as well. How many of your own boxers do not like to fight if you can not be in their corner? My father coached Tim Ausitn who won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. From 1990 to 1992, Timmy lost only two bouts, once at the World Championships and once at the Olympics, both cases where my dad could not be in his corner. Timmy had a rematch with Istvan Kovacs, the guy he lost to at the World Championships, and beat him convincingly in a dual match, with my dad in his corner. I know that this doesn't prove 100% that having the natural coaches in the corner makes a difference, but it is my belief that more focus needs to be put on allowing the natural coaches more access to their boxers. I know some coaches can not afford to do the travelling, so for that reason there should be "natioanl coaches" in place but if a coach is fortunate enough to be there with his boxer than there is no reason they should not be allowed. Obviously what we are doing now is not working. We have some of the best boxers in the world, but for some reason they are not producing on the international level as much as they should. Just an idea. I also agree with Dennis, the idea of an NFL coach doing a boxing coaches job is absolutley ignorant. Im in Cincinnati, maybe I will go apply for the Bengals position. HAHA

[ringsidemike]

Are professional athletes from other sports elgible to compete for USA Boxing as amateurs?

I talked with one of the head coach candidates who told me that in his discussions with USA Boxing there is a BIG emphasis on bringing the individual coaches to colorado springs to have a primary role in their fighters' training and also filling out the assistant coach posistions with some of them so they can work the corners in London.

Dennis, we could debate the "heavyweight champs playing in the NFL" topic all day, but there are certainly a few players who would have make great boxers given proper progression of their training, begun at an early enough age. I do think the Lebron becoming a great fighter in 6 months idea is pretty ignorant.. An example for both sides of the arguement is Travis Walker. Travis came to boxing when an injury ended his football career. I believe he was just an above average defensive lineman, albeit a scholarship athlete. His football coach led him to a National Golden Gloves title. His pro boxing trainer, a true boxer, has spent their entire time breaking bad habits and teaching a jab and defense. While Walker's chin is suspect, as I assume MANY of the potential NBA and NFL'ers would also have problems with, he IS one of the top USA heavyweights at this time... I think there are plenty of US pro athletes who would have tremendous punching power, but few of them would be able to take elite level punches not to mention have the heart required to be champions..

[Dennis]

Yes, pro athletes from other non-combat sports can compete in amateur boxing. It is clearly spelled out in the newest USA Boxing rulebook (2008).

Tommy Z boxed from an early age and was a pretty good amateur boxer. He is a very good defensive back in football. I saw one of his pro bouts and I don't think he could defeat the upper tier of pro HW's. He is a gifted athlete who had close to 100 amateur bouts.

I do hope that the personal coaches are more involved for 2012. If so, I think USA Boxing will win at least a few medals.

[Dennis]

Giovanni - everyone thinks boxing is so easy. We don't have to coordinate 11 players at once and run set plays. So it must be easier than coaching football! It is sort of like coaching other individual sports say tennis, track, golf and swimming. I know that any old football hack could teach a little girl to become the next Venus Williams, some jogger to become the next Carl Lewis, some little duffer to be the next Tiger Woods or some little fish to become the next Michael Phelps. Swimming and golf especially. There isn't an opponent so it is really easy. Right? It is hard to work on all the little details that take an athlete from average to superstar. It can be very frustrating too. I've had lots of ex football players in the gym. Keeping them there is the difficult part. Anyone else had that problem?

[atlanta coach]

As a true blue down n dirty (going broke) grassroots coach I agree with you Giovanni, and I'v also heard that coaches will be given more access to there boxers in camp, at the olympics etc. It makes you wonder what the outcome would have been for Raushee Warren and other Olympians had they had there personal coaches. but for arguement sake Cuba, Russia and other countries operate strictly on a national coach basis, all their athletes buy into the system... I know you cant compare the U.S. to

[boxmel]

My father coached Tim Ausitn who won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. From 1990 to 1992, Timmy lost only two bouts, once at the World Championships and once at the Olympics, both cases where my dad could not be in his corner.

Unless the IOC changes the number of people each country can have in their delegation, personal coaches won't be working corners at the Olympics. As it is, the IOC is trying to reduce numbrs not add.

[atlanta coach]

Good point -

[Kolya]

Article about USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman

The article can be found by clicking this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_ ... llman.html

Millman is incorrect about one thing. LeBron James would be a super-heavyweight not a heavyweight. There is no way LeBron could ever get down to 201 pounds.

It is also annoying when people always think they could take a skilled basketball or football player and turn them into a boxing superstar. It really is sad that USA Boxing’s CEO makes those kinds of statements. Did he ever hear of Ed “Too Tall” Jones? Jones was an NFL great, but wasn’t that great in the ring. Yes he was undefeated against bums, but so what. How about Mark Gastineau? Basketball players – Kendall Gill ring any bells? There have been many college football and basketball players that have tried boxing and found out that it is a lot tougher than it looks. Ex-pro football players have stunk up the place in the Toughman competitions too. William “the Refrigerator” Perry tried it and wasn’t very good.

It is also scary to think that the guy leading our organization thinks that he could stick a former NFL coach into the position of Olympic boxing coach and have success. There are too many things that are different about the two sports and it would take too long for that coach to learn the intricacies of our sport for him to be successful in 2012. We need someone who knows boxing and the type of training that works for amateur boxers. We don't need a coach who trains the boxers like he would train football players, weightlifters, basketball players or athletes in any other sports. There are exercises and techniques that can work for various sports, but there are also sport specific training techniques.

I agree with most everything you said. Everytime I read this guy talk about "recruiting" top athletes into boxing it makes me want to scream. We have plenty of top athletes in boxing, and if we had better funding and a support system for them rather than pissing away money and time on avenues that won't be effective, we'd have better results.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Everyone is putting too much emphasis on the national coach. We need a national coach in place but there also has to be room to allow the natural coaches to be involved in their boxers preparation. The national coach, when in place, needs to be a guy that these young boxers can relate to. Its sort of sad but todays kids seem to have a hard time relating to and performing for some of the "old School" coaches. Some of them do not realize how knowledgable these coaches are. We all know that boxing is about being comfortable and confident. A kid can have all of the skills in the world but he/she is not commfortable with the person in their corner they are not going to perform as well. How many of your own boxers do not like to fight if you can not be in their corner? My father coached Tim Ausitn who won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. From 1990 to 1992, Timmy lost only two bouts, once at the World Championships and once at the Olympics, both cases where my dad could not be in his corner. Timmy had a rematch with Istvan Kovacs, the guy he lost to at the World Championships, and beat him convincingly in a dual match, with my dad in his corner. I know that this doesn't prove 100% that having the natural coaches in the corner makes a difference, but it is my belief that more focus needs to be put on allowing the natural coaches more access to their boxers. I know some coaches can not afford to do the travelling, so for that reason there should be "natioanl coaches" in place but if a coach is fortunate enough to be there with his boxer than there is no reason they should not be allowed. Obviously what we are doing now is not working. We have some of the best boxers in the world, but for some reason they are not producing on the international level as much as they should. Just an idea. I also agree with Dennis, the idea of an NFL coach doing a boxing coaches job is absolutley ignorant. Im in Cincinnati, maybe I will go apply for the Bengals position. HAHA

I just know that the national coach is going to be given a lot of control with determining the direction of the next Olympic team. I think it's really going to set the stage and foundation for getting a lot of the issues we saw in Beijing and other international competitions addressed. Not saying he will have carte blanche, but I think no one worth anything is going to be interested in taking that spot unless given some sort of assurance of hands off. If that coach is ok with micromanaging, it will be a long 4 years!!

[DCAmateurBoxing]

My father coached Tim Ausitn who won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. From 1990 to 1992, Timmy lost only two bouts, once at the World Championships and once at the Olympics, both cases where my dad could not be in his corner.

Unless the IOC changes the number of people each country can have in their delegation, personal coaches won't be working corners at the Olympics. As it is, the IOC is trying to reduce numbrs not add.

Don't need to necessarily corner at Games, just be included in the process. It's like when a coach sends his boxer to a tournament he can't attend himself. IMO, it always works better when the coach cornering is at least familiar with what you've worked (and how you've worked) with your boxer. I just think we'll have much better results and morale by including personal coaches that go the boxers as far as making the Olympic Team. You can deny the fact that what they did worked.

[Dennis]

Kolya - you are correct. There are plenty of talented athletes already involved in amateur boxing. The boxers need to be given opportunities to compete internationally. USA Boxing needs to fund more international competitions, more training camps and help keep boxers in the amateur system longer. That is the key. Getting 3 Olympic Trials champions to stay amateur is a good start. However, keeping even more boxers in the amateur ranks would be even better. I look at the rankings and notice that quite a few of the boxers have turned pro.

[boxmel]

I

just know that the national coach is going to be given a lot of control with determining the direction of the next Olympic team.

Dan Campbell was given that leeway - just to make a point. Hopefully, the next one will do a better job. And I also agree that personal coaches should be included more than they have been where numbers don't count.

[joeboxer1]

this guy is nuts the 2012 team will do like beijing team he doesnt have a clue about training a boxer

[boxmel]

this guy is nuts

What guy?

the 2012 team will do like beijing team he doesnt have a clue about training a boxer

Who is "he?"

[JMac]

I

just know that the national coach is going to be given a lot of control with determining the direction of the next Olympic team.

Dan Campbell was given that leeway - just to make a point. Hopefully, the next one will do a better job. And I also agree that personal coaches should be included more than they have been where numbers don't count.

It's a done deal even before the next coach gets hired. The personel coaches will be involved with the process of preparing for the Olympics. As for credentials, that's a wait and see. I don't know where you hear USAB can't get credentials from the IOC. That may have been an excuse used in the past from past USAB Presidents or ED's but I saw plenty of personel coaches at the Olympics from other countries.

[boxmel]

I don't know where you hear USAB can't get credentials from the IOC. That may have been an excuse used in the past from past USAB Presidents or ED's but I saw plenty of personel coaches at the Olympics from other countries.

It's my understanding that it also has to do with USOC credentialing. I'll find out for sure. Our personal coaches have gone, too - they just have to pay their own way and can't work the corners.

[Glovedup]

6'8 250...def not a heavyweight.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

6'8 250...def not a heavyweight.

6"9 280lbs., really definitely not a heavyweight.

[byrdman66]

After reading everyone comments. I just want to say that I agree with have personal coaches involved, and a NFL coach to become the next National coach for USA boxing sounds like a poor decision. I would also like to add, that sense I live in Colorado I was allowed to take my Boxer to the OTC to get sparring from are Elite Athletes.
Here is want went wrong point blank: We did not hold are Elite Athletes accountable for there actions. Example: coming to practice and to camps late some time not even showing up.
WE FAILED TO HOLD ARE ELITE ATHLETES ACCOUNTABLE after all they are representing the UNITED STATE OF AMERICA!!!!

[Dennis]

After reading everyone comments. I just want to say that I agree with have personal coaches involved, and a NFL coach to become the next National coach for USA boxing sounds like a poor decision. I would also like to add, that sense I live in Colorado I was allowed to take my Boxer to the OTC to get sparring from are Elite Athletes.
Here is want went wrong point blank: We did not hold are Elite Athletes accountable for there actions. Example: coming to practice and to camps late some time not even showing up.
WE FAILED TO HOLD ARE ELITE ATHLETES ACCOUNTABLE after all they are representing the UNITED STATE OF AMERICA!!!!

Was that before Beijing or are you talking about more recently? If recent, maybe the new director (once hired) can change that especially if the personal coaches are involved. Some boxers will listen to their personal coaches and that is about it. The Director of Coaching has to earn the athletes trust and also has to set an example. That means he can't be out at the clubs drinking. He also has to be involved in the training and get to know the boxers and their quirks. The boxing coach - athlete relationship is a strange one. I hope they hire the right person.

[byrdman66]

This was before Beijing, and also agree that Some boxers will listen to their personal coaches and that is about it. but that where getting the personal coaches involved come-in. I agree with you on lead by example.

[Dennis]

The "old school" tactics, i.e. the "drill sergeant" mentality does not work in today's society. Kids are brought up without discipline and structure. It is a situation where the boxers have to trust the coach and have faith and belief in him. The coach gains that trust, respect and dedication of the boxer over time. If the coach is knowledgeable and successful, the athlete will realize it and want to listen and work hard. It is certainly not easy, contrary to popular belief.