WHO ARE THE FAVORITES FOR THE OLYMPIC TEAM NOW

[Dennis]

Well - I don't know about sanity.....Shawn is pretty sane most of the time. It's like he gets nervous in the ring and wants to win to the point of forgetting his skills. I think Amy's assessment is pretty right on. Also when Shawn is asked why he "blanks" during competition, he honestly doesn't know why. He's been boxing since the JOs, so it's not as if he doesn't have enough national, or international, experience.

Some guys get hit and just lose their mind. They get very angry, frustrated or whatever and might even resort to low blows (Andrew Golota and Zab Judah) or even biting an ear (Mike Tyson). Some guys get so frustrated they just say "No Mas". Some guys just try to hard and want to do so well that they force things and then look bad.

[Dennis]

No Mark Davis, Dynamite, Rosinsky, Carter, De La Cruz, Martyniouk, etc is a bummer. Some of it was draw, some of it was no altitude training, some of it was hungry JO boxers. But mostly, it was too many eggs in one basket. A2P or not, this was a risky way to get to the 8 and there are boxers who probably shouldn't be in there.

You are right. The process was very flawed and it needs to go back to the old process. It is a shame that there are some excellent boxers who are out and some less skilled boxers who are in.

[Kolya]

What was the old process, anyway? I wasn't involved heavily with USA Boxing in the last Olympic Cycle (and I was only about 16 or so leading up to it), so how did they use to choose the competitors for the Olympic Trials?

[Dennis]

I've known Shawn since he started boxing and he's always had this problem to some extent, more so since he's been in the open division. Unfortunately, I probably won't see him until the Box-offs, but will be happy to pass along your suggestion.

The punching power of opponents goes up some when going from the JO's to the open class. Nerves can play a huge role. Some boxers get very nervous while others do not. I knew some boxers who were in excellent shape and could run mile after mile, hit a heavybag at a brisk pace for 10-15 rounds, could jump rope for an hour, but get them in the ring with anyone with skills and they would freeze and get completely exhausted in just a round or two.

[Dennis]

Cool. I hope USA Boxing has room for a 6'4 middleweight in the revamping.

Ok, now I know how tall you are. That is tall for 165#. I hope you can take a good body shot. LOL. You know that most of your opponents will work your body.

[boxmel]

If you do well in all the tournaments, I'm sure you'll be right up there!!

[Kolya]

If you do well in all the tournaments, I'm sure you'll be right up there!!

Well, we have 5 years now until the 2012 qualifying process, so hopefully I'll be winning by then (and I haven't filled out to 201+) .

[Dennis]

If you do well in all the tournaments, I'm sure you'll be right up there!!

Well, we have 5 years now until the 2012 qualifying process, so hopefully I'll be winning by then (and I haven't filled out to 201+) .

How old are you? My 6'7" boxer was in his early 20's and would likely never box at 201+. If he is in shape he would be 165, 178 or at most 201.

[BOXING24-7]

There is nothing that can be done for Estrada he is just a dirty boxer it dont matter if he breaths or holds his breath if he fights an elite boxer or a novice i have sen him with both in many bouts he is dirty and him being quiet is his way of covering it up he gets DQ'D because he is just flat out dirty and cannot win without breaking the rules even when he wins if you watch close you will see all the flagrant fouls .

[Dennis]

There is nothing that can be done for Estrada he is just a dirty boxer it dont matter if he breaths or holds his breath if he fights an elite boxer or a novice i have sen him with both in many bouts he is dirty and him being quiet is his way of covering it up he gets DQ'D because he is just flat out dirty and cannot win without breaking the rules even when he wins if you watch close you will see all the flagrant fouls .

Don't pull any punches now.

[docjock]

The 2004 process to arrive at the 8 was:

Champion US Challenge

Champion Golden Gloves

Champion PAL

Champion US Armed Forces

Champion and Runner-up US Championship

Champion Eastern Trials

Champion Western Trials


- which was considerably more difficult and fair than this cycle's version. Champions only, not everything at altitude, it took about 16 months and allowed for different and multiple peaks.

You could pretty much get in this cycle with a good draw at US Championships.

[Dennis]

The 2004 process to arrive at the 8 was:

Champion US Challenge

Champion Golden Gloves

Champion PAL

Champion US Armed Forces

Champion and Runner-up US Championship

Champion Eastern Trials

Champion Western Trials


- which was considerably more difficult and fair than this cycle's version. Champions only, not everything at altitude, it took about 16 months and allowed for different and multiple peaks.

You could pretty much get in this cycle with a good draw at US Championships.

That is correct which is why there are some boxers who might not be one of the best boxers in their weight class and yet they are in the Trials Box-offs. There are other guys sitting at home who deserve to be there.

[Kolya]

If you do well in all the tournaments, I'm sure you'll be right up there!!

Well, we have 5 years now until the 2012 qualifying process, so hopefully I'll be winning by then (and I haven't filled out to 201+) .

How old are you? My 6'7" boxer was in his early 20's and would likely never box at 201+. If he is in shape he would be 165, 178 or at most 201.

I'm 19 right now. I've had people tell me all kinds of things thouhg; my father thinks I'll fill out to 178; one of my buddies who's more involved with the pro side of things said cruiserweight (guess that's heavyweight as an amateur). Personally, I'm happy being taller than everyone at 165; even though theoretically I suppose I could kill my body and make 152.

[Roberts J]

Kolya, you mentioned that you saw the Russian nationals, do you happen to be from Russia or eastern europe ? I watched the Nationals on TV over there

P.S. I would actually move up to 178 with your height and reach, alot of 178 are usually 6'1 6'2 or shorter, or 165. Devistating with straight punches and speed.

[Kolya]

Kolya, you mentioned that you saw the Russian nationals, do you happen to be from Russia or eastern europe ? I watched the Nationals on TV over there

P.S. I would actually move up to 178 with your height and reach, alot of 178 are usually 6'1 6'2 or shorter, or 165. Devistating with straight punches and speed.

Yes, I'm originally from the CCCP. Good guess. I have a near inability to put on weight at the moment, my metabolism is through the roof. Right now I'm just trying to eat a lot and lifting weights to get back up to 165-166, that way I can keep doing the cardio and afford to burn some, if I go heavy with the roadwork I start burning up weight like crazy.

[Roberts J]

That's good. I know when Belarus had their nationals and i was training there, a few Russians came and a few actually won the Nationals in Belarus. They got granted citizenship through a sports program, so look for a solid core of Russians in Chicago. P.S. I was in Latvia when i watched the Nationals.

[Kolya]

I try to stay away from the Baltic. Some of those countries aren't the biggest fans of Russia. Are you referring to the Russian National Team at World's this year, or just fans and on other countries teams? I expect the Russian National team to be as strong as ever in October, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how Matvei Korobov fares (I Expect him to take Gold). Hopefully Aleksandr Maletin is representing Russia, I think he got a bad wrap at Russian Nationals.

[Roberts J]

I'm referring to the russian national team. They have a great squad. The #2 and #3 boxers when to belarus and some made the Bealrus team, so we are looking at practically more russians at the words, lucky for them they get to do it perfectly legally, with there sports exchange program or whatever Lukashenko cooked up ! P.S. I missed Roman R. fight, why did he lose ??

[Kolya]

Romanchuk? I didn't see him fight, but to the best of my knowledge, he was just upset. There were a lot of upset at the higher weights especially, Makarenko, Romanchuk, and Timurziev all lost. The guy who beat Makarenko though, Beterbiev, looks awesome. Very professional style, very exciting; he could be a great pro if he decides to. We'll have to see if it's him or Makarenko who is on the National squad; Makarenko can give weak performances at times and come back from them later. As for that whole exchange program; it happens a lot, particularly with Russia and Belarus being as closely allied as they are. In 2004 at Athens, Bulgaria's Super Heavyweight, Sergei Ruzhnov, was originally Russian (and had the misfortune of drawing Povetkin in the first round).

[boxmel]

Kolya - do you have your U.S. citizenship?

[Kolya]

Yes, I'm a US citizen, have my US passport and everything.

Also, Roberts, here's what happened with Romanchuk in the finals, from a friend who sometimes gives me info on what's happening in the Russian system:

(Note when he refers to "slightly shorter than me", my friend is about 6' or 6'1

The guy Romanchuk faced, Rakhim Chahiyev, is slightly shorter than me and built like a fornicating tank. To add to that, he has the stamina to throw the punch output of a lightweight through all four rounds and he keeps coming when hit. It's very amazing he does so well given the amateur scoring system.

Anyway, the very tall Romanchuk started off boxing Chahiyev, using movement and reach. When he did this, Chahiyev's chances were limited. Unfortunately, Romanchuk, by his own admission, really enjoys fighting, and he soon gave up boxing and engaged in a war. Through all four rounds there was less than a point between them, with both taking turns leading. Unfortunately for Romanchuk, Chahiev landed the last combination and came ahead by a couple of points before the bell rang.

Although Romanchuk stood his ground and engaged in a real war seldom seen in top class amateur boxing, he gave away all his advantages in skill, speed and experience by deciding to stand and trade with a slugger at close range. This stupid tactical choice meant he lost a fight he could have won with relative ease.

I think such an attitude is what makes Romanchuk unstable since he seems to punch hard. Apparently he has a fall out with coaching staff in the national team as he is very self confident and doesn't take well to criticism, which he gets on account of his unstable results.

[docjock]

C'mon.

Someone throw some more picks up here.

[J*BOX*]

HERE ARE MY PICKS.

106- LUIS YANEZ

112- RAU'SHEE WARREN

119- GARY RUSSELL

125- RAYNELL WILLIAMS

132- TERENCE CRAWFORD

141- BRAD SOLOMON OR JAVIER MOLINA

152- DEMETRIUS ANDRADE

165- SHAWN PORTER OR FERNANDO GUERRERO

178- CHRISTOPHER DOWNS

201- ADAM WILLETT

201+ - MIKE WILSON

[mich3102]

My former ameatur friend has fought 3 of the 8 finalists for the heavyweight box offs. (Wilder, Carey and Lawtown). I might add he went 2-1 versus these guys. I was also in attendance at all 3.
punching power - Wilder
speed - Lawton
ameatur style - Carey

Carey is obvisouly a groomed amateur from day one. Wilder is a beast but Lawton is a good boxer and may be the better pro. He is a bit undersized compared to these other guys.
My choice would be lawton but I think Carey's style is very favorable for this level of amateur boxing. Wilder is a maniac but his lack of skill is bound to show soon.

[holeymoley99]

My picks have changed some since before the US Championships but not too much.

106- R.Ceron
112-R.Warren
119)G.Russell
125)S.Pagan
132-T.Crawford
141-J.Bryan
152-M.Kerwick
165-S.Porter
178-Y.Riley
201-D.Wilder
201+-N.James