BoxRec

Arguably one of our most succesful amateurs Perkins won two ABA titles in 02 03 an EU am championship bronze (04) and silver (05) and a world am bronze medal (05) and a commonwealth games bronze (06) all at welter. He still competes narrowly losing the ABA middleweight semi final by a single point in a disputed decision to highly touted Hosea Burton

Why did he not turn pro obviously he has the potential and amateur pedigree had he turned pro in the earlier part of the decade between 03-05 he still could have been young enough to make an impact 23-25 to make an impact domestically and internationally?

Covered Neil in this years ABA's and he made a good solid start to the tournament.

I think he definitely missed his boat when he decided to reject the lure of the Pro game back when he won his medal in the Worlds. Much was expected of him in the 06 Comonwealths and it was somewhat of a shock when he failed to return from Australia with a Gold medal.

He's 32 now so he has a big decision to make regarding his future but I'd definitely say that he could make a big impact on the domestic scene.

Ye could have certainly got a decent contract with a big promoter only Froch and Haye had won medals up to that point and looks where they are now! Off the top of my head our only other medallists are Gavin Saunders and Murray all going places under top promoters. I think at 32 though maybe a bit late he has enough amateur experience to be thrown in at the relative deep end in the pro gameand could be moved fairly quickly. Maybe his failure to get that 3rd ABA title will spur him to make the switch. His only other option is to hold out for a place at 2012.

JUst looked at world ams medal tables what happened to all the welsh success in 03?

think its to late this stage of career to turn pro to make a big impact

32 is young.....If your hungry.

think you'll find he'll go pro very very soon.with maloney.

Bit of inside info here there where did you hear that?

wrimc wrote:Bit of inside info here there where did you hear that?

Told you didn't i

boxingfarmer30 wrote:

wrimc wrote:Bit of inside info here there where did you hear that?

Told you didn't i

That you did mate! Glad he has turned over just hope he is able to get the fights

wrimc wrote:

boxingfarmer30 wrote:

wrimc wrote:Bit of inside info here there where did you hear that?

Told you didn't i

That you did mate! Glad he has turned over just hope he is able to get the fights

Trained with and spared Neil a lot over the past few months and although some may say 32 is too old hes still got the hunger to do well!

if kept busy expect a big year from him

wrimc wrote:

boxingfarmer30 wrote:

wrimc wrote:Bit of inside info here there where did you hear that?

Told you didn't i

That you did mate! Glad he has turned over just hope he is able to get the fights

Yeah me too.Good lad neil dont give ABA titles away and world medals so i think he can win British in 12 fights.

The Kirkdale Leopard could mix it with the top boys at UK level,just thinking he might have turned over to late

He has gotn4 years to do somthing?? He could win british & European titles in that time

hurlock wrote:He has gotn4 years to do somthing?? He could win british & European titles in that time

I doubt he has 4 year maybe 3 at most.

His success will depend largely on what he has been doing for the last 5 or 6 years - has he been out of the gym and on the beer and kebabs etc. ?

I also believe that he has left it too late - even if he continues to win over the next 2 years, the likes of Eubank and BJS will be his domestic rivals by then and them 2 can only get better over the next couple of years (also, this does not include the likes of Barker and Murray).

He needs to fast track - he might as well get a couple of good wins this year, fight the likes of Bradley Price and then make a statement by boxing somebody like Etches to put him in the mix (or not) by the end of the year.

boxingfarmer30 wrote:

hurlock wrote:He has gotn4 years to do somthing?? He could win british & European titles in that time

I doubt he has 4 year maybe 3 at most.

Depending on what sort of liver he is etc. he could box till he is 40.
What difference is there in a year??

2 years 3 at most.Lifestyle a massive part of a fighters longevity.Neil likes a drink or Two like the next man.Its only my opinion so to me a British at most in that time I thinks about right?

It will be all down to how often he fights in his first year. Will he fight much?

If you live the life (that's another one for the cliché topic) and have the skills, turning pro in your early to mid-30s isn't a problem providing you hit the ground running and work on the principle you've got five years to have either topped-out and done what you can do or found yourself at a good enough level to have an extra two or three years fighting twice a year for big money.

If you're in the gym and tearing up the youngsters - or at least keeping up - in all aspects of training, ignore the doubters and power forward.

JLP wrote:If you live the life (that's another one for the cliché topic) and have the skills, turning pro in your early to mid-30s isn't a problem providing you hit the ground running and work on the principle you've got five years to have either topped-out and done what you can do or found yourself at a good enough level to have an extra two or three years fighting twice a year for big money.

If you're in the gym and tearing up the youngsters - or at least keeping up - in all aspects of training, ignore the doubters and power forward.

How is it a cliche I turned pro at 29 I was in my peak then and boxed for 3 yrs but started to feel the shots in sparring and in bouts don't get me wrong Neil rarely gets tagged I used to stop the shots on me bonce but I'm going of personal experience.

This is Neil Perkins yes I did leave it to late but there nothing I can do about that now.
All I no is am goin to give it a 100% al or nothing

People keep saying am to old I have never been hurt or had bad injurys so am fresh for my age an believe me am as fit now or in fitter than when I was 25 if I fail we'll so be it but least I can hold my head up an say I give it my all if I never turned pro I would of always wondered what

Neilperko1979 wrote:This is Neil Perkins yes I did leave it to late but there nothing I can do about that now.
All I no is am goin to give it a 100% al or nothing

People keep saying am to old I have never been hurt or had bad injurys so am fresh for my age an believe me am as fit now or in fitter than when I was 25 if I fail we'll so be it but least I can hold my head up an say I give it my all if I never turned pro I would of always wondered what

Respect to you mate, everyone has opinions but you go for it pal......good luck to you!

wrimc wrote:Arguably one of our most succesful amateurs Perkins won two ABA titles in 02 03 an EU am championship bronze (04) and silver (05) and a world am bronze medal (05) and a commonwealth games bronze (06) all at welter. He still competes narrowly losing the ABA middleweight semi final by a single point in a disputed decision to highly touted Hosea Burton

Why did he not turn pro obviously he has the potential and amateur pedigree had he turned pro in the earlier part of the decade between 03-05 he still could have been young enough to make an impact 23-25 to make an impact domestically and internationally?

I got gold in the eu o5 and stopped them all mate

Neilperko1979 wrote:

wrimc wrote:Arguably one of our most succesful amateurs Perkins won two ABA titles in 02 03 an EU am championship bronze (04) and silver (05) and a world am bronze medal (05) and a commonwealth games bronze (06) all at welter. He still competes narrowly losing the ABA middleweight semi final by a single point in a disputed decision to highly touted Hosea Burton

Why did he not turn pro obviously he has the potential and amateur pedigree had he turned pro in the earlier part of the decade between 03-05 he still could have been young enough to make an impact 23-25 to make an impact domestically and internationally?

I got gold in the eu o5 and stopped them all mate

Glad to see you on here. Good luck with the pro career Look forward to seeing you fight in the flesh at the Echo. Hope you get the fights you need.

Neilperko1979 wrote:

wrimc wrote:Arguably one of our most succesful amateurs Perkins won two ABA titles in 02 03 an EU am championship bronze (04) and silver (05) and a world am bronze medal (05) and a commonwealth games bronze (06) all at welter. He still competes narrowly losing the ABA middleweight semi final by a single point in a disputed decision to highly touted Hosea Burton

Why did he not turn pro obviously he has the potential and amateur pedigree had he turned pro in the earlier part of the decade between 03-05 he still could have been young enough to make an impact 23-25 to make an impact domestically and internationally?

I got gold in the eu o5 and stopped them all mate

Remember you being 'the boy' when all our current stars were amateur (Smiths, Bomber etc). Always wondered where you'd gone.

Made up you're giving it a go. The talent is there and if you're feeling fitter than ever, who's to tell you what you can't do.

G'wed lad.