My 2004 Olympic Team Picks.

[JDizzle]

106: Raytona Whitfield, unless Ron Siler comes down from 112 to claim his spot.
112: Raul Martinez, with Ron Siler and Roberto Benitez close behind.
119: Samson Guillermo, but this is one of those wieght classes that is wide open, Rafeal Valenzuela could be a favorite as well.
125: Aaron Garcia, this is the most consistent amateur boxer in America.
132: Vincente Escobedo, Karl Dargen. Tough weight class as usual.
141: Lamont Peterson, Rock Allen, Kieth Mason, Lorenzo Reynolds. This is thoughest contested weight class in amateur boxing, period.
152: Juan McPherson, but don't be suprised if Rodale Mason or Anthony Dirrel sneak into the mix as well, Juan is the best pick though.
165: DonYil Livingston, I don't think that Andre Dirrel is going to be a ble to step it up with these other fighters, including new comers like Clarence Joseph.
178: DeAndrey Abron, Abron has been dominating the light heavyweights for a few years now and will be the second consecutive Army Light Heavy to make it to the Olympics, like Orlanda Anderson before him.
201: Charles Ellis, Devin Vargas will fold under preasure to Ellis or Palacios.
Hvy: Jason Estrada, easy pick.

[wsbuf]

Good picks but watch for Nick Casal at 152.

[JDizzle]

Who is Nick Casal? Where is he from? What tournaments has he won or been to?

[JDizzle]

I did a little research, Nick is somewhat new on the seen. He sounds impressive, but I don't know if he is going to be able to hang with McPherson. Casal Might still be a little young.

[wsbuf]

He is 80-7 Just won the under 19's. Defeated Dirrell at National Golden Gloves this summer. From Niagara Falls.

[JDizzle]

Nick Casal beat Dirrel in a 3-2 Dec. which means it could have gone either way, then lost in quarterfinals to Berto by a ref, stops contest. He has maturing to do, keep in mind that Berto has been beaten easily twice this last year by Juan McPherson. Casal is young and should stick in for the next Olympics, because he doesn't have a great chance for 2004. His dad should think twice about turning him pro. so soon after these Olympics.

[Onekrazyrican]

i was about to ask about Valenzuela, how is he doing? a kid from my gym lost to him at last year's jr olimpic tournament in michigan. It was a great fight and Valenzuela showed to be more experienced. I saw the fight and really thought ide see this guy in the olimpics.

[JDizzle]

Valenzuela is actually the top rated 119 pounder in the US right now, but this particular weight class isn't as deep as some of the others, it wouldn't suprize me if Valenzuela was the Olympian, but there are others out there nobody has taken charge of this weight class. Torrence Daniels, Samson Guillermo, Sergio Ramos or even Troy Wohosky can also take that spot, or there could be a sleeper who steps up, the first person to take charge of the weight class will go to Athens.

[boxmel]

[quote="JDizzle"]106: Raytona Whitfield, unless Ron Siler comes down from 112 to claim his spot.

]

Siler is not going down to 106. Austroberto Juarez has an excellent chance.

112: Raul Martinez, with Ron Siler and Roberto Benitez close behind.

]Up for grabs.

119: Samson Guillermo, but this is one of those wieght classes that is wide open, Rafeal Valenzuela could be a favorite as well.

]Don't think Valenzuela has the experience and Guillermo has been inconsistent. Up for grabs.

125: Aaron Garcia, this is the most consistent amateur boxer in America.

]I beg to differ on your statement. He has been very inconsistent since turning open - has an ongoing weight and focus problem. You can't discount Mickey Bey. Another wide open weight class.

132: Vincente Escobedo, Karl Dargen. Tough weight class as usual.

]Another wide open weight class. Victor Ortiz could definitely be in the mix.

141: Lamont Peterson, Rock Allen, Kieth Mason, Lorenzo Reynolds. This is thoughest contested weight class in amateur boxing, period.

]Another weight class up for grabs. Allen has been inconsistent and has a great deal of trouble making weight.

152: Juan McPherson, but don't be suprised if Rodale Mason or Anthony Dirrel sneak into the mix as well, Juan is the best pick though.

]Juan is over-hyped and I don't think he's a lock for that weight class. Andre Berto is my pick, if he can get past McPherson. I think the two of them are better than Mason or Dirrell.

165: DonYil Livingston, I don't think that Andre Dirrel is going to be a ble to step it up with these other fighters, including new comers like Clarence Joseph.

]DonYil would be the last on my list. He's limited in skills and can't get past the top boxers in his weight class. You can't discount Andre Dirrell or Joe Greene.

178: DeAndrey Abron, Abron has been dominating the light heavyweights for a few years now and will be the second consecutive Army Light Heavy to make it to the Olympics, like Orlanda Anderson before him.

]I would love to see Abron on the team - however he has to get by Andre Ward, one of the best in years. Unfortunately, Ward hasn't been busy and this may hurt him in the long run.

201: Charles Ellis, Devin Vargas will fold under preasure to Ellis or Palacios.

]Palacios can't box his way out of a paper bag; Devin spends too much time around the pros. Keep an eye on Aaron Williams.

Hvy: Jason Estrada, easy pick.[/quote

]Yep. All in all, I don't think the 2004 team is even close to being decided. The Olympic Trials next year are going to be very interesting.

[dangercoach]

names not mentioned but capable of beating anyone when they're ON

Sergio Ramos, 119
Jose Perez, 125
Timothy Bradley 152

[Southpaw Stylist]

Livingston recently came to England and got smashed up, so I can't see him going to the olympics. Dirrell is the best in my book.

[boxmel]

Sergio Ramos is always in the hunt for the top. We'll have to see what he does at the U.S. Championships next month. I think Jose Perez is kind of middle average right now. He was unable to box in his Regional tournament due to a medical problem and, now, his last chance at making the Olympic Trials will be the Western Trials in So. California in February. Timothy Bradly did not compete in the tournament leading to the U.S. Championships and will also have to enter the Western Trials if he wishes a shot at the Olympic Trials. I don't think Tim and Jose will make the Olympic Team and I know DonYil Livingston won't.

[KO123]

Well lets see,,

106: I like Rayonta Whitfield if he's in shape he'll beat Juarez if not Austreberto Juarez, The only other two that has even qualified for the trials are Warren and Castillo and niether of them are strong.

112: Ron Siler will be the rep, I think Raul is strong but he gets frustrated when people box him from the outside. Benitez has moved up to 119 but I think he's done to many wars...

119: Wide open.. I like Torrence Daniels, he has height, speed and power. Eric hunter is too young, Ramos isn't a good computer boxer, Guillermo is inconsistent. Who said Troy he won't qualify for the trials. Valenzuela is also too young I like him for 2008.

125: Sence moving up to 125 Aaron Garcia has really shined.. It's a toss up between Garcia and Bey, Bey had an inpressive showing at the PAL. who else qualified so far.. Bowman (dirty) not international material and Edwards, too short 5'3"

132: That is wide open. with Antonio Johnson moving up and Lorenzo Reynolds, Karl Dargan or Anthony Peterson are my choices. who else qualified... Victor Ortiz is too young and Hector Ramos will make some noise with his height but won't be consistant.

141: This is the Deapest weight class in the US. any of the top 6 can get in Keith Mason, Rock Allen, Lamont Peterson, Lorenzo Reynolds, Devon Alexander are the front runners with Antonio Johnson not to far behind. I like Petterson as the pick though.

152: Well I just think that Juan McPherson is soo far ahead of the rest of the top guys. word is that Bradley is turning pro. Berto nor will Joseph come close.

165: I like Dirrell, although Clarence Joseph ran Gonzales into the pros I think Dirrell's style isn't good for him. who else qualified Joe Green and James Johnson are too far behind.

178: another toss up.. I like the 2000 alternate DeAndrey Abron but Ward is a good pick as well. One of these two should go.

201: I like Aaron Williams.. I think Vargas and Ellis are inconsistant.

201+: Estrada is another in the same boat as Juan. He's so far ahead of the rest that there shouldn't be any questions.


But we need to see who will be the last four in each weight class to qualify but I think my picks are good.. I don't see any sleepers making the trials next year..

[boxmel]

Well lets see,,

106: I like Rayonta Whitfield if he's in shape he'll beat Juarez if not Austreberto Juarez,

Unfortunately, I think Ray is too inconsistent. I think he'll have a hard time beating Austroberto.

119: Wide open.. I like Torrence Daniels, he has height, speed and power. Eric hunter is too young, Ramos isn't a good computer boxer,

And just what does THAT mean????


125: Sence moving up to 125 Aaron Garcia has really shined..

Aaron moved up because he couldn't/wouldn't keep on weight. He is very inconsitent. When on, he's very good. He hasn't been very active and this might hurt him.

It's a toss up between Garcia and Bey,

Another inconsistent boxer.


132: That is wide open. with Antonio Johnson moving up and Lorenzo Reynolds, Karl Dargan or Anthony Peterson are my choices.

So which one do you think will make it?

Victor Ortiz is too young

[color=red"] And what do you mean by that? Meldrick Taylor went to the Olympics when he was 17. [/color]

152: Well I just think that Juan McPherson is soo far ahead of the rest of the top guys.

McPherson didn't compete at all for 5 months, and lost in the Pan Am Games in August. He had two easy opponents leading to the finals and then was beat convincenly by Lorenzo Aragon from Cuba. I have a very big MAYBE by his name.

word is that Bradley is turning pro.

Bradly refused to compete in his district tournament leading to the U.S. Championships. He thought he should be At Large but he didn't qualify for that. If he shows up at the Western Trials we'll, at least, know he hasn't turned pro yet.

Berto nor will Joseph come close.

Berto has boxed consistently this year and has some excellent international wins. Don't ever count him out.

178: another toss up.. I like the 2000 alternate DeAndrey Abron but Ward is a good pick as well.

Abron is one of my favorite boxers, however Ward will beat him.

201+: Estrada is another in the same boat as Juan. He's so far ahead of the rest that there shouldn't be any questions.

I just have to disagree with your inclusion of McPherson in the "so far ahead" gang.

but I think my picks are good..

I would agree that at least one of your two or three picks just might make it.

[dangercoach]

how come Victor Ortiz is the 132 entry at the US Championships? It's somehow David Rodela instead? Is Victor going?

[KO123]

No Victor is not going.. He may not want to risk getting hurt before the tials sence he already qualified..

[boxmel]

No Victor is not going.. He may not want to risk getting hurt before the tials sence he already qualified..

Victor hurt his hand rather severly at the National PAL tournament. Depending on its condition, he might not even box in the 2004 Olympic Trials. I have no idea what happened to David Rodela. Maybe he'll show up at the Western Trials.

[Get_low]

First did any sleepers come out of the eastern or western trials that I should know about?

I can foresee these boxers as the 2004 TEAM..

106: RASHEED WARREN
112: RON SILER
119: TORRENCE DANIELS
125: AARON GARCIA
132: Vicente Escobedo
141: LAMONT PETTERSON
152: JUAN MCPHERSON
165: ANDRE DIRRELL
178: DEANDRE ABRON
201: Devin Vargas
201+: JASON ESTRADA