WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

[locoxelbox]

It's a bit difficult this time since the cubans don't participate and there are no clear favorites in some divisions. Also I haven't seen the official russian team so I'm not sure in some weight classes. Anyway here are my predictions:

48: I go with 2005 world champ Zou Shiming (CHN). Runner Up: Birzhan Zhakypov (KAZ)

51: Host countrys best bet Raushee Warren gets my vote. Runner Up: Ok Sung Lee (KOR) impressed heavily last time out but I'm not sure he'll be there. Otherwise Georgi Balakshin (RUS) gets my vote.

54: In the abscence of Rigondeaux it's a tough division to predict but my vote goes to Sergey Vodopyanov (RUS) and Runner Up to Worapoj Petchkoom (THA).

57: Albert Selimov is just too fast so he gets my vote. Runner Up: Alexei Shaidoulin (BUL)

60 kg: Strong favorite Alaxei Tischenko (RUS) Runner Up: Song Guk Kim (PRK) replay of the 2004 Olympic final.

64: Manus Boonjumnong (THA) another olympic champ who I favor for gold. Runner Up: 2005 World champion Serik Sapiyev (KAZ)

69: Another host Demetrius Andrade (USA) can make it with some help. Runner Up: Bakhyt Sarsekbayev (KAZ).

75: Matvei Korobov (RUS) repeats his 2005 gold. Runner Up: Elzhod Rasulov (UZB).

81: Artur Beterbiev (RUS) looks pretty strong. Runner Up: Erdos Dzhanabergenov (KAZ)

91: Rakhim Chakiyev (RUS) Runner Up: Dennis Poyatsika (UKR)

+91: Denis Sergeyev (or Islam Timurziev if he's chosen) (RUS) Runner Up: Roberto Cammarelle (ITA)

Those are my picks. I'm glad if I have five gold, last time I made 8.

Six of my picks won gold - not too bad! Add two ruuner-ups (Sapiyev and Cammarelle) also.

Some conclusions:
* The russians couldn't dominate as much as espected but they were the best.

* Great tournament for China - theywill do even better next year I'm sure.

* Great tournament for England - First gold ever for an english boxer and four qualified when they only had one rep in each of the last three Olympics. Their work at cadet/junior level and high performance program is paying off.

* Great tournament for Italy - they use to settle for one bronze so this was a huge success. I'm glad for Cammarelle who wins his first major gold after medalling so many times.

* Good tournament for the latin american countries who got many boxers qualified and medal after 21 years for Venezuela (Alfonso Blanco who upset olympic champ Artayev) and medal after 16 years to Puerto Rico (McJoe Arroyo who has fought in the shadow of his twin brother until now).

*I'm glad my picks Warren and Andrade won gold but only two medals for the US at home might say it will be difficult for them in Beijing. Anyway theses two guys will be favored for gold - that would give amateur boxing in the US a huge boost.

[Dennis]

China is very good and will do well at home next year.

[emile]

It is noteworthy that China did very well, but only got one fighter to the finals. I don't think that was accidental - their boxers are well schooled and understand tactics, but perhaps - other than Zou - lack the exceptional handspeed or technique to be the best in the world. With their home-ring bump, I wouldn't be shocked if they end with more Olympic medals than Cuba, but I don't see them taking too many golds, even in Beijing.

[emile]

Also, in regards to the US - the total medal count was not great, but other than the gold - medals don't tell you too much about the quality of a team since the draw is so incredibly important.

Warren and Andrade are gold medal favorites. I think Russell is still top 5 in his weight class despite no medal, as his loss to Vodopyanov was very close. I would also upgrade Raynell and Hunter's chances to medal, based on their losses. Raynell blew away fighters from very good boxing nations, and his loss to Selimov was about how well everybody did against him. I would say Raynell is probably in the top 5 at his weight, and has a good shot in Beijing if he can avoid Selimov in the draw. It's harder to tell with Hunter, but because he is young, I could see he him improving - he showed some good stuff against Timurziev.

The only major downgrade I would say after Chicago is Yanez, who does not look like a medal possibility right now. The others who did not advance far (Ali, Molina, Estrada, Downs, Wilder) were perhaps not surprises, and I think it would probably take an exceptional draw for them to hope to do too much.

[Dennis]

Emile - I probably would agree with you, except I think Molina has a shot. Yes, he is young, but he is very good. He has almost a year to mature and I think he could do very well.

Wilder is inexperienced, but has a year to improve and with his physical assets maybe he could do OK with a favorable draw.

Estrada - hit or miss with him.

Downs - I only see him getting older.

Ali - Good skills, but lacking in hand speed for his weight class.

Russell - I pick him as more of a favorite so I would agree with you that he is top 5.

[mike222]

I managed four golds and two silvers from my predictions but I am more pleased that I pinpointed some of the less likely finalists in my summary.

[slapbangwhallop]

anyone know why Timurziev was choosen over Denis Sergeev to go to the worlds?