What boxers turrned pro or are turning pro, this year?

mich3102 · Post by **mich3102** » 24 Aug 2007, 17:07

He really doesnt appear to be cutting weight. It is my understanding he comes in around 195 for fights which is below the 201 limit. His losses came at the state level. None of them came at the national level. WHich I find very odd.

emile · Post by **emile** » 24 Aug 2007, 17:23

Didn't he only have 15 or less fights when he came to the Golden Gloves? Perhaps he was still learning some basics when he was fighting at the state level?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 24 Aug 2007, 21:45

I think he weighs 205-210 normally, but with hard training and watching his diet he gets down to the high 190's. He is doing very well for only 20 contested bouts.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » 25 Aug 2007, 01:09

Rick Lopez signed a pro contract.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 25 Aug 2007, 02:39

Shawn Porter probably staying amateur; Jeremy Bryan is considering sticking around, as is Diego Hurtado....

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 26 Aug 2007, 00:38

boxmel wrote:Shawn Porter probably staying amateur; Jeremy Bryan is considering sticking around, as is Diego Hurtado....

Who said Shawn is staying amateur? I think he will be pro within a few months. He would be 24 by the 2012 Olympics which is a long time to wait. He has a pro style, is strong, has over 200 amateur bouts and is ready for the pro ranks. Now Shawn is a guy who will box at Middleweight as a pro. Think Jeff Lacy, but at 160 instead.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 26 Aug 2007, 03:36

Dennis, Ken told me Shawn might be staying amateur. The trend is more toward having our boxers go when they are 24 or 25 - that's when they will be more mature and more the age of the other Olympians from other countries. Aaron Alafa has said he'll stick around.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 27 Aug 2007, 09:55

Well if Shawn does stay amateur he will probably dominate at the tournaments unless a few of the other top guys decide to do the same and stay amateur. Not everyone who sticks around is making the right choice. If they don't want to turn pro, then there is no harm. However, if they are wanting to go pro, then it can be a bad decision for some. Wilson stuck around and did not make the olympic team. Now he is only 24.5 years old and that is not a bad age for a big guy to turn pro if that is what he wants to do. For some amateurs that have less than 100 bouts, getting more amateur experience is probably a smart move. Trying to win a national title or two might not be a bad idea. Now back to Shawn Porter, he has well over 200 bouts, has won numerous national titles (as a JO and Open boxer), has quite a bit of international experience and has been on TV a fair amount. What more can the amateur system do for him? If he sticks around, it will be to get more international travel and to try to make the '12 Olympic team. Otherwise there really isn't any point unless he does not want to be a professional boxer. If that is the case, then stick around in the amateurs as long as he wants.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 27 Aug 2007, 09:59

Dennis wrote:Well if Shawn does stay amateur he will probably dominate at the tournaments unless a few of the other top guys decide to do the same and stay amateur. Not everyone who sticks around is making the right choice. If they don't want to turn pro, then there is no harm. However, if they are wanting to go pro, then it can be a bad decision for some. Wilson stuck around and did not make the olympic team. Now he is only 24.5 years old and that is not a bad age for a big guy to turn pro if that is what he wants to do. For some amateurs that have less than 100 bouts, getting more amateur experience is probably a smart move. Trying to win a national title or two might not be a bad idea. Now back to Shawn Porter, he has well over 200 bouts, has won numerous national titles (as a JO and Open boxer), has quite a bit of international experience and has been on TV a fair amount. What more can the amateur system do for him? If he sticks around, it will be to get more international travel and to try to make the '12 Olympic team. Otherwise there really isn't any point unless he does not want to be a professional boxer. If that is the case, then stick around in the amateurs as long as he wants.

Yeah, him staying amateur kind of makes me want to move to 178.

I figured though that now that the trials are over; we'd see the new layo f the land possibly for the next 4 years and see who turns pro and who doesn't; I was kind of expecting an exodus now that the Trials are done. I'm fairly sure Jacobs is going pro at least.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 27 Aug 2007, 10:02

Kolya - you will see a mass exodus. A few may box at the PAL and then turn pro. Others may decide to stick around for one more US Championships and Nat'l GG and then go pro. Remember the Nat'l GG are here in Grand Rapids next year and I hope to see everyone.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » 27 Aug 2007, 10:08

Dennis wrote:Kolya - you will see a mass exodus. A few may box at the PAL and then turn pro. Others may decide to stick around for one more US Championships and Nat'l GG and then go pro. Remember the Nat'l GG are here in Grand Rapids next year and I hope to see everyone.

Well hopefully I'll see you there! I didn't know that they were in Grand Rapids; returning to the family homestead (well, close enough, I suppose).

How far in advance do they pick the LBC that hosts the GG?

emile · Post by **emile** » 27 Aug 2007, 11:25

It's a tough decision - I don't think that staying amateur is going to make it more likely to make the Olympic Team for most of these guys. For young fighters who are every close to the top, like Hylon and Shawn Porter it might - but older fighters who were never that close to making the team are not all that likely to get any closer for 2012 either. Like Anthony Tettis, who says he's staying amateur - he will likely be passed by a number of new boxers as the one's above him now move on to the pros. That's not a bad thing for Tettis to stay amateur, as he'll be more mature and experienced when he does go pro, but hopefully he won't regret his choice when he doesn't make it next time.

Although the US doesn't win many medals these days, we still have one of the deeper talent pools of amateur boxers in the World. New guys are always going to be coming up to knock these guys off, just like what happened to Wilson, Dargan, and others who stayed in. In order to have experienced, top class amateurs, we would need to see the actual young Olympians like Molina, Raynell, and Hunter stay amateur for a second cycle, like Rau'Shee. Not going to happen though.

boxmel · Post by **boxmel** » 27 Aug 2007, 12:18

What more can the amateur system do for him? If he sticks around, it will be to get more international travel and to try to make the '12 Olympic team.

That may be his goal and I don't see anything wrong with that.

Otherwise there really isn't any point unless he does not want to be a professional boxer.

Not everyone has verbalized the desire to be a pro. David Clark is going to return to school and get his law degree; Shawn Porter may decide between another 4 years of amateur or focus on becoming a school teacher.

It just might take a more mature USA Olympics team, i.e., 24-26 years old, to get in the medal hunt again.

ctill · Post by **ctill** » 27 Aug 2007, 12:25

Nate James told me he is turning pro in January. I think he will complete his degree in December.

squarering · Post by **squarering** » 27 Aug 2007, 15:20

Nate, being a south paw can get his pro carreer going while making some good cash as a sparring partner, seeing that 3 of the top heaveyweights are southpaws as well. His size and the fact that he continues to get in better shape are all good things to boot.

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 27 Aug 2007, 18:03

Hal - what is Fernando going to do? Is he going to tryout for the Dominican Olympic Team?

Dennis · Post by **Dennis** » 27 Aug 2007, 18:07

emile wrote:It's a tough decision - I don't think that staying amateur is going to make it more likely to make the Olympic Team for most of these guys. For young fighters who are every close to the top, like Hylon and Shawn Porter it might - but older fighters who were never that close to making the team are not all that likely to get any closer for 2012 either. Like Anthony Tettis, who says he's staying amateur - he will likely be passed by a number of new boxers as the one's above him now move on to the pros. That's not a bad thing for Tettis to stay amateur, as he'll be more mature and experienced when he does go pro, but hopefully he won't regret his choice when he doesn't make it next time.

Although the US doesn't win many medals these days, we still have one of the deeper talent pools of amateur boxers in the World. New guys are always going to be coming up to knock these guys off, just like what happened to Wilson, Dargan, and others who stayed in. In order to have experienced, top class amateurs, we would need to see the actual young Olympians like Molina, Raynell, and Hunter stay amateur for a second cycle, like Rau'Shee. Not going to happen though.

Emile - I totally agree with you and that was the point I was making. Not all boxers need to stay amateur longer, but many SHOULD. Too many jump to the pros too early and regret it. Some stay in the amateur system too long and regret it, but their numbers are much smaller than those who go pro too early and regret it.

squarering · Post by **squarering** » 28 Aug 2007, 16:00

Dennis, We are looking closely at all our options and most importantly what Fernando wants to do. There may be the option of the Dominican team and we are exploring that. It is nice to have the options but time plays a big factor right now.

janedoe · Post by **janedoe** » 29 Aug 2007, 00:29

REALLY STAYING AMATEUR IS NO GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL MAKE THE OLYMPIC TEAM. USAB KNOWS WHO THEY WNT ON THE TEAM RIOR TO THE TRIALS AND THEY DO WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THEY MAKE THE TEAM. EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE ATHLETES THAT WAIT AND PAY THEIR DUES. I WAS TOLD YEARS AGO THAT THIS WAS THE WAY USAB DID THEIR ATHLETES. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. I DO NOW!

emile wrote:It's a tough decision - I don't think that staying amateur is going to make it more likely to make the Olympic Team for most of these guys. For young fighters who are every close to the top, like Hylon and Shawn Porter it might - but older fighters who were never that close to making the team are not all that likely to get any closer for 2012 either. Like Anthony Tettis, who says he's staying amateur - he will likely be passed by a number of new boxers as the one's above him now move on to the pros. That's not a bad thing for Tettis to stay amateur, as he'll be more mature and experienced when he does go pro, but hopefully he won't regret his choice when he doesn't make it next time.

Although the US doesn't win many medals these days, we still have one of the deeper talent pools of amateur boxers in the World. New guys are always going to be coming up to knock these guys off, just like what happened to Wilson, Dargan, and others who stayed in. In order to have experienced, top class amateurs, we would need to see the actual young Olympians like Molina, Raynell, and Hunter stay amateur for a second cycle, like Rau'Shee. Not going to happen though.

Hugo · Post by **Hugo** » 04 Sep 2007, 14:58

December 1st Also slated for the card: Austin Trout in the co-main, and the pro debut of Sammy DiPace.

I found this in a pro site.

Onekrazyrican · Post by **Onekrazyrican** » 15 Sep 2007, 10:49

Heres a nice compilation of Highlights from my pal Luis Del Valle whos turning pro this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjxceQI9fTg

ctill · Post by **ctill** » 15 Sep 2007, 19:40

Jonte Willis will have his pro debut this weekend.

Bostonmma · Post by **Bostonmma** » 16 Sep 2007, 17:35

Eugene Hill a former top 5 us amatuer heavyweight has turned pro this year and alrady is 5-0

nozuna · Post by **nozuna** » 18 Sep 2007, 02:18

Jerry Belmontes will also be turning pro this year. He'll be making his pro-debut on November 30th on a Marines Promotions event. Headlining, will be Roberto "La Amenaza" Garcia vs Freddy Hernandez for the IBA World welterweight title and the co-feature will include Yori Boy Campas. I believe Jerry will come down in weight to fight at 126.

hurricanemitch14 · Post by **hurricanemitch14** » 21 Sep 2007, 14:52

anyone know what happen with jonte willis's debut....it was supposed to be last sunday???