who showed promise in the amateurs..BUT

[handsofstone]

Liverpool's Neil Perkins did well as an amateur, world bronze.

6-0 as a professional but not afforded much coverage so far.

Hopefully he gets a few more outings under his belt in the next 12 months and into a interesting domestic fight with a Beefy Smith/ Brian Rose type fighter.

Tidy boxer.

He is getting on a bit now is Neil maybe turned over a bit late?

I've been impressed with what I've seen of Perkins but surely he's got to be more active

[stevedoc]

Slightly off topic but there's a trainer at the Fitzroy lodge Roy Connor who won it all as an amateur ,he beat Michael Watson , rod Douglas ,Canadian Shawn o,Sullivan who was world no1 and went on a run of 100 fights unbeaten then quit.

[kamicazze]

Gary Mayor did well a couple of weeks ago, there was a write up in Boxing News.

He's won one of those central area elite titles too. He is aiming to be the oldest man to win the ABA's. Would be some story ...

[manno]

Slightly off topic but there's a trainer at the Fitzroy lodge Roy Connor who won it all as an amateur ,he beat Michael Watson , rod Douglas ,Canadian Shawn o,Sullivan who was world no1 and went on a run of 100 fights unbeaten then quit.

I remember roy...seem to get his big wins at the wrong time if that makes sense! Dint win abas and was never no1 in England (nearly).Osullivan was a right handful as I remember....prob Roys best win. Very correct boxer, easy on the eye. Glad hes puttin it back at the lodge. Howard Rainey used to rave about him

[stevedoc]

Slightly off topic but there's a trainer at the Fitzroy lodge Roy Connor who won it all as an amateur ,he beat Michael Watson , rod Douglas ,Canadian Shawn o,Sullivan who was world no1 and went on a run of 100 fights unbeaten then quit.

I remember roy...seem to get his big wins at the wrong time if that makes sense! Dint win abas and was never no1 in England (nearly).Osullivan was a right handful as I remember....prob Roys best win. Very correct boxer, easy on the eye. Glad hes puttin it back at the lodge. Howard Rainey used to rave about him

To be honest I don't remember Roy as a boxer I met him at the lodge about 18 months ago and thought he was pulling my leg at first when he talked about his career ,nice guy

[Noxy]

I always thought Mark Epton would be one to follow but he just packed it in early doors. I know there's that rumour about Hamed retiring him after a sparring session but I never really bought into that. In any case I didn't see his retirement coming so soon, whatever may have caused it.

[Wake up call]

Chris Pacey and Nick MacDonald were both ABA champions who did pretty much sod all as pros. Sure there's been many more.

[manno]

I always thought Mark Epton would be one to follow but he just packed it in early doors. I know there's that rumour about Hamed retiring him after a sparring session but I never really bought into that. In any case I didn't see his retirement coming so soon, whatever may have caused it.

I think that's just what happened.

A proper pasting. However Mark must have been ready to pack in cos I don't think there can be many career fighters who haven't had some decent seconds. From bomber being Kayoed to a novice Laing schooling world champ Hope it happens all the time.

[mickey1975]

I've seen 18 year old ams beating up pros in the gym. Doesn't mean a thing. Epton must have had other things going on. I once saw my mate, a light welter, really giving it to Paul Bonson, who I didn't know at the time. I thought they should have stopped it! One of the best chins England's ever seen! He was just moving him about!

[Bigdogsnose]

Why did Andy McLean turn back amateur?

Don't think he ever went back to the Ams. Had to retire due to an eye injury. Pity could box and bang. Runs a PT company and promotes White collar.

[manno]

I've seen 18 year old ams beating up pros in the gym. Doesn't mean a thing. Epton must have had other things going on. I once saw my mate, a light welter, really giving it to Paul Bonson, who I didn't know at the time. I thought they should have stopped it! One of the best chins England's ever seen! He was just moving him about!

f@@k me mickey...boxed paul twice...haes like a kerbstone. Think only rob norton turned him over in nearly 100 fights...might have had over 100...have a look at his resume regular sparring partner for carl thompson at one bit.

[mickey1975]

I was young and daft at the time, in Hunslet gym. My mate was a very good kid who landed a few, little did I know, he could have brought a sledgehammer, wouldn't have made any difference.

[Controversial]

Errol Christie springs to mind, he was in the Guinness Book of Records at one point for the amount of amateur titles he won and was even given an honouree pair of Kronk shorts to wear as a pro. His was tipped for stardom but after a good start as a pro his chin was soon found out and I don't think he won a single title. Saying that he was still a good fighter and a big puncher, just not a major success as a pro. I hear he isn't in good health these days so good luck to him.

[nitro5912]

Do you think we will see more good amateurs make it in the pro game now that at senior level they don't wear head guards?

Proved to have a good chin, good head movement etc?

[Controversial]

I don't think you can tell. Lots of successful pros have been stopped or knocked out as amateurs, Holmes, Tyson and Tua (not so successful but renown for having a good chin)

[freddydoesdallas]

I'll mention the elephant in the room...

Lomachenko - 396-1 as an amatuer, already 3-1 as a pro

[Controversial]

I'll mention the elephant in the room...

Lomachenko - 396-1 as an amatuer, already 3-1 as a pro

to be fair he fought for a world title in his 2nd pro fight (that he lost on a SD to a 54 fight veteran who was also over the weight limit) and then Lomachenko won a world title in his 3rd fight. I wouldn't call that not being a good pro.

[palooka]

Howard Davis?

[palooka]

Mark Tibbs

[manno]

Pete Gabbitus.

superb boxer pete.

[crusader]

I'll mention the elephant in the room...

Lomachenko - 396-1 as an amatuer, already 3-1 as a pro

You don't think he's made a good pro? He at least seems to be on that path to me.

I'd also be surprised if 396-1 was his real amateur record.

[mickey1975]

I've seen 18 year old ams beating up pros in the gym. Doesn't mean a thing. Epton must have had other things going on. I once saw my mate, a light welter, really giving it to Paul Bonson, who I didn't know at the time. I thought they should have stopped it! One of the best chins England's ever seen! He was just moving him about!

f@@k me mickey...boxed paul twice...haes like a kerbstone. Think only rob norton turned him over in nearly 100 fights...might have had over 100...have a look at his resume regular sparring partner for carl thompson at one bit.

Paul didn't care, got in with two kids after, one just got back from The Commonwealths, the other going into an eliminator. Tough, tough man.

[rpms]

Mark Tibbs

Good call,and Dean Hollington too

[manno]

Pete Gabbitus.

superb boxer pete.

But came nowhere near fulfilling his potential. Won everythng going as a kd but he was encouraged to turn professional too early, and was poorly managed thereafter, at least in my opinion.

Your opinion is correct

[manno]

Mark Tibbs

Good call,and Dean Hollington too

Didnt chris saunders chin em both?