great amateur pedigree.... but a shocking pro

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 05 Mar 2007, 09:31

Haider Ali, who, if my memory serves correctly, was once described as the Pakistani Oscar De La Hoya. He now lives in Walsall and apparently has no real interest in fighting anymore. Errol offers him fights and he point blank turns them down.

Tom Podmore.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 05 Mar 2007, 10:54

REAL_DEAL wrote:
kevin wrote:Alex Arthur and Haider Ali haven't/didn't set the pro scene alight despite commonwealth success
dont you mean jamie arthur.

Jamie is another who could have done more if he had more pop in his punches. Even though he had Commonwealth success cannot say his pro career surprised me. Nice lad though.

Twinkle Toes · Post by **Twinkle Toes** » 05 Mar 2007, 10:59

I think Ali and Arthur both won golds at the commonwealths, just in different divisions.

It didn't work out for Arthur at all did it, apeared to cut up easily and then got dumped by SN.

chris s · Post by **chris s** » 05 Mar 2007, 11:30

TerribleTerry wrote:
chris s wrote:Jamie Branch
Wasnt he nicknamed 007?

A lightheavy as I remember, did he return to the vest after a poor spell as a pro?

Yeah, he went back to Repton. I think he had a run in the ABA's at heavyweight last year or in 05

hibbo · Post by **hibbo** » 06 Mar 2007, 10:32

peter richardson was a great amateur without sucseeding in the pros,two differant styles of fighting,a lot of top pros would find it hard to be as affective over a much shorter and faster paced contest,also scoring punches differ ie body shots

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 06 Mar 2007, 14:11

Dean Pithie beat Naseem Hamed as an amateur - was this part of a decent career or just a one off? Certainly didn't live up to his early sky hype.

What about for a world star - Jorge Luis Gonzales.

Some people might think David Reid ultimately dissapointed, but I didn't find his downfall too surprising - he seemed to be chinny as an amateur - and did win a world title.

What was the name of the ex Olympian (either 2000 or 2004) who Arum signed for $1 million signing on fee and also big purses - and has already lost at least twice... Wasn't it Ricky Williams.

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 07 Mar 2007, 05:14

stujones wrote: What was the name of the ex Olympian (either 2000 or 2004) who Arum signed for $1 million signing on fee and also big purses - and has already lost at least twice... Wasn't it Ricky Williams.

Ricardo Williams wasnt it?

That big signing on fee made him lazy.

I think he is in jail for dealing drugs now if my memory serves me..

TerribleTerry · Post by **TerribleTerry** » 07 Mar 2007, 05:57

Francisco "Panchito" Bojado represented Mexico at the Olympics and turned over to rave reviews. He was thought of as a locked on certainty to become a world champion but after a couple of shaky performances he blew up in weight and has been on the sidelines ever since.

There may be time enough for him to come back and make his mark but he will have to decide which he has a greater hunger for: boxing or burritos.

Podmore_Birmingham · Post by **Podmore_Birmingham** » 07 Mar 2007, 09:58

stujones wrote:Dean Pithie beat Naseem Hamed as an amateur - was this part of a decent career or just a one off? Certainly didn't live up to his early sky hype.

You beat me to the punch there, Stu.

Dean was a very talented amatuer, a bit before my time in the unpaid code, though. He fought at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, although didnt come home with a medal. And won an ABA championship at featheweight whilst with Willenhall ABC and a Junior ABA title in 1990.

Your right, though, he didnt live up to his Sky hype, although still had a decent career. Last time i heard of him he was working as a forklift truck driver in a factory. He had, and still does i heard, a bit of a problem with the 'white stuff'.

I saw a few of his fights live at the Skydome in Coventry - great nights. Often forgotten that he easily beat Mzonke Fana, who went onto challenge Marco Antonio Barerra, albeit briefly, for the WBC title. And, of course, stopped Steffy Bull.

Tom Podmore.