Top amateurs turning pro in 2012 (2010 & 2011 too)

[Dennis]

David Clark is turning pro tonight - Saturday.
Mike Gavronski's pro debut is on the same card.
Garret Simon is turning pro on the 15th. He had only competed in the open class for 1 year.
Nick Kisner is turning pro on the 16th.

[NYboxing]

Jose Benavidez will turn pro on January 16th according to Ring Magazine and will open the televised portion of the card on Fox Espanol and his first eight fights are suppose to be televised according to his trainer Freddie Roach.

Chazz McDowell read somewhere he suppose to turn pro on a Yonkers, NY card on January 15th.

[atlanta coach]

Michael Finney - scheduled to fight the 29th.

[random]

J'Leon Love left kronk signed with TKO boxing and is first fight is Feb 27. Maybe one in Jan.

Leandre White I here is waiting untill the U.S championships and his graduation of college in mid June 2010

[Dennis]

Maybe fewer of the USA's top boxers would turn pro if they were given "gifts" like boxers from other countries receive. The Ukraine's Lomachenko was given a brand new Mercerdes-Benz S-class car for winning the 2008 Olympics. He had previously been given a less expensive car when he won the World Junior Championships. Granted we haven't had too many world champs of late, but that might change if our boxing federation (USA Boxing) started making substantial gifts for doing so. I know that USA Boxing doesn't have the money right now, but let corporate america give the gifts.

[boxmel]

I know that USA Boxing doesn't have the money right now, but let corporate america give the gifts.

And who in corporate America is interested enough in amateur boxing to do that?

[Dennis]

I know that USA Boxing doesn't have the money right now, but let corporate america give the gifts.

And who in corporate America is interested enough in amateur boxing to do that?

There are people who might, but boxers would worry about losing their amateur status. It is fine if the USOC or USAB gives money, but not others unless it goes through the trust fund.

[boxmel]

There are people who might, but boxers would worry about losing their amateur status. It is fine if the USOC or USAB gives money, but not others unless it goes through the trust fund.

It could be done correctly without harming boxer's amateur status - IF corporate America was interested in amateur boxing. It's pretty much proven they are not.

[NYboxing]

Light welterweight Andre Sherard of Milwaukee is turning pro on Friday. He told the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

"It was time," Sherard said about his decision to turn pro. "The amateur scene, I really wasn't into it anymore. I'm ready to get paid to fight now."

Also, Dennis - can you change the heading to to amateurs turning pro in 2010

[Dennis]

Light welterweight Andre Sherard of Milwaukee is turning pro on Friday. He told the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

"It was time," Sherard said about his decision to turn pro. "The amateur scene, I really wasn't into it anymore. I'm ready to get paid to fight now."

Also, Dennis - can you change the heading to to amateurs turning pro in 2010

I will change the heading since that is what I'm interested in for this thread. I am not looking for postings about those who turned pro in the past or are planning to turn pro next year or the years after.

[Dennis]

Nick Kisner's pro debut has been delayed once again. This time the entire card, including Nick's bout, was postponed until January 31st.

[Luis Feliciano]

Andre Sherard won his pro debut last night on a 4 round decision.

[Dennis]

Jose Benavidez, Jr. won his pro debut tonight via first round TKO.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Jose Benavidez, Jr. won his pro debut tonight via first round TKO.

Yeah, technically that was a knock out. I watched two amateur standouts two days in a row in with opponents who wouldn't even be good sparring for juniors--Andrade and JB Jr. I'll give JB his because he's only 17 and it was a safe opponent, but some of these guys need to step it up. I'm not saying they should be in there w/ a big threat but come on. Although his age is a motivational factor in his fast movement, I like Gamboa's career pace. He's got hundreds of amateur fights and he's not wasting any time as a pro.

[Dennis]

Jose Benavidez, Jr. won his pro debut tonight via first round TKO.

Yeah, technically that was a knock out. I watched two amateur standouts two days in a row in with opponents who wouldn't even be good sparring for juniors--Andrade and JB Jr. I'll give JB his because he's only 17 and it was a safe opponent, but some of these guys need to step it up. I'm not saying they should be in there w/ a big threat but come on. Although his age is a motivational factor in his fast movement, I like Gamboa's career pace. He's got hundreds of amateur fights and he's not wasting any time as a pro.

I agree that some of these guys do need to step it up. Gamboa did and was dropped a few times. However, he is now a champ and on the cusp of big PPV fights. Turning pro at 25 was a big motivating factor in moving him quickly. That along with the fact that he was an Olympic gold medalist with hundreds of amateur bouts.

An Olympian with hundreds of bouts who is only in his teens does not need to be moved as quickly. However, if that boxer is mature and skilled there really isn't a reason not to. Floyd Jr. was moved quickly in the pros as he turned pro at 19 and won a world title at 21 in just under 2 years as a pro.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Jose Benavidez, Jr. won his pro debut tonight via first round TKO.

Yeah, technically that was a knock out. I watched two amateur standouts two days in a row in with opponents who wouldn't even be good sparring for juniors--Andrade and JB Jr. I'll give JB his because he's only 17 and it was a safe opponent, but some of these guys need to step it up. I'm not saying they should be in there w/ a big threat but come on. Although his age is a motivational factor in his fast movement, I like Gamboa's career pace. He's got hundreds of amateur fights and he's not wasting any time as a pro.

I agree that some of these guys do need to step it up. Gamboa did and was dropped a few times. However, he is now a champ and on the cusp of big PPV fights. Turning pro at 25 was a big motivating factor in moving him quickly. That along with the fact that he was an Olympic gold medalist with hundreds of amateur bouts.

An Olympian with hundreds of bouts who is only in his teens does not need to be moved as quickly. However, if that boxer is mature and skilled there really isn't a reason not to. Floyd Jr. was moved quickly in the pros as he turned pro at 19 and won a world title at 21 in just under 2 years as a pro.

I understand that it's better to be safe than sorry, but opponents like that won't get you on TV much. Not to compare them to Floyd, but I know that their opponents were looking for a check and didn't even have the courtesy to put up a good show. I really don't even think JBs opponent was really down from punch on the first knockdown. Real suspect.

[T Duquette]

In defense of Andrade, his last opponent b4 this past FNF opponent was very tough and a more than adequete test. You guys know as well as i do that this is a business and in business the reward has to be equal to the risk. One loss in the pros can be devastating to a young prospect both $fiscally$ and mentally. Im sure he wasnt making a fortune last friday night so why take the risk of fighting a contender of equal experience for short money?

[socalboxing1]

Randy Caballero is also turning Pro. Maybe by Feb or March. He has been sparring with Donito Doaire for the last 2 week in San Francisco.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

In defense of Andrade, his last opponent b4 this past FNF opponent was very tough and a more than adequete test. You guys know as well as i do that this is a business and in business the reward has to be equal to the risk. One loss in the pros can be devastating to a young prospect both $fiscally$ and mentally. Im sure he wasnt making a fortune last friday night so why take the risk of fighting a contender of equal experience for short money?

I'm really not complaining that much, it's just the guy wasn't even close to game. That's all. Matchmakers fault on this one. Sometimes opponents drop out and it's really down to find anyone if you want to be seen on TV. Obviously this was the case.

[Puncher7]

I know that USA Boxing doesn't have the money right now, but let corporate america give the gifts.

And who in corporate America is interested enough in amateur boxing to do that?

There are people who might, but boxers would worry about losing their amateur status. It is fine if the USOC or USAB gives money, but not others unless it goes through the trust fund.

USA Boxing is already having financial problems for whatever reason, if they buy the elite boxers a mercedes then what will they raise registration fees to this time!!!

[NYboxing]

Just saw heavyweight Craig Lewis will make his pro debut at the Riverview Ballroom in Detroit on March 27th.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Thomas Williams Jr.making pro debut April 2nd at the Washington Convention Center.

[Kolya]

Don't suppose you'd be going to that show, are you CD?

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Don't suppose you'd be going to that show, are you CD?

Don't know. I will let you know though.

[NYboxing]

2004 Olympian Ron Siler finally making his debut this Saturday. He seems like he has been in and out of jail the last couple of years.