Welsh Warriors 6 - Selby Olympic exit reaction/reflection
Posted: 08 Aug 2012, 11:21
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MAKE no mistake, despite not reaching the medal stages of London’s Olympic games, Andrew Selby is the greatest amateur boxer Wales has ever been able to call its own.
A consistent record at international level, including two European bronzes, one European gold medal, one world silver medal and an Olympic quarter-final, are achievements unrivalled in Welsh amateur boxing. It speaks volumes of Selby’s talent that despite all this, even more was expected and hoped of him but the public must be content. Celebration is in order – not condemnation.
Whether he chooses to stay amateur or turn professional, at just 23 years old Selby has already made a legacy to inspire a generation of amateur boxers in Wales. Along with welterweight Fred Evans, who has guaranteed at least an Olympic bronze, the pair have reached levels not seen by Welsh amateurs for many years. Neither takes himself too seriously, sometimes to their detriment, and their laid back approachable personalities are a refreshing example of how youngsters should deal with success.
There’s a fine line and a big difference in being disappointed for someone and being disappointed in someone – the two shouldn’t be confused. Selby hasn’t let anyone down, he has every reason to hold his head high and if the reaction he receives when he returns to Wales is half of what’s expected then it may blow his socks off.
On the wider scale, the issue with the Olympics is that it provides an unprecedented platform, a huge amount of people witness the Games and it’s impossible for casual fans to appreciate all of the factors; history, form, the draw, seeding, etc. Even hardcore boxing fans don’t follow the amateur code and many, particularly Americans, have struggled to comprehend that amateur boxing scoring system.
The facts behind the early exit have to be recognised, Selby was a partial victim of his pre-Olympic success. Seeded 2nd saw the Barry flyweight given a first round bye and therefore side-lined during the first week of the games. Unable to build momentum, Selby had to hit the ground running in his first bout against teak-tough rough and tumble Kazak Ilyas Suleimenov. Prevailing with a less than stellar 19-15 points win, Selby wasn’t given a chance to settle, progressing to face a typically cute Cuban in the form of Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana. Carrazana’s water tight defence soaked up Selby’s early (and un-scored by the judges) body attacks and picked his moments to take the bout 16-11 with superbly schooled straight shots.
Unseeded due to only recently dropping down to flyweight from bantamweight, fighters of Carrazana’s talent shouldn’t meet the likes of Selby until latter stages of the tournament. Selby’s talent is worth a semi-final place, proved by having previously defeated Ireland’s semi-finalist Michael Conlan and losing by a point to Russian semi-finalist Misha Aloian. It was just luck (or un-luck) of the draw that saw him meet Carrazana before the medal stages. Nonetheless, there can’t be excuses about the draw, it’s the nature of the beast and Selby would have had to face the best at one stage anyway.
Selby will no doubt enjoy a brief break from boxing now but when the time soon comes to decide his next step, the ex-world number one will still have the world at his feet. Money does talk because boxing is a short career and there’s certain to be a line of promoters eager to tempt Selby to turn professional but there are dangers. In the pros the super-flyweight/flyweight divisions lack depth and fighters can be fast tracked at the detriment to their development.
On the other hand, the Team GB boxing set-up continues to break records under the excellent guidance of Rob McCracken and his assembly of coaches. With the funding guaranteed and able to provide a comfortable financial life, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Selby stay amateur and go for Olympic gold again aged 27 at Rio in four years time.
Whatever path Andrew Selby chooses next, his options are endlessly open and he’s certain to be supported by the admiration of Wales.
MAKE no mistake, despite not reaching the medal stages of London’s Olympic games, Andrew Selby is the greatest amateur boxer Wales has ever been able to call its own.
A consistent record at international level, including two European bronzes, one European gold medal, one world silver medal and an Olympic quarter-final, are achievements unrivalled in Welsh amateur boxing. It speaks volumes of Selby’s talent that despite all this, even more was expected and hoped of him but the public must be content. Celebration is in order – not condemnation.
Whether he chooses to stay amateur or turn professional, at just 23 years old Selby has already made a legacy to inspire a generation of amateur boxers in Wales. Along with welterweight Fred Evans, who has guaranteed at least an Olympic bronze, the pair have reached levels not seen by Welsh amateurs for many years. Neither takes himself too seriously, sometimes to their detriment, and their laid back approachable personalities are a refreshing example of how youngsters should deal with success.
There’s a fine line and a big difference in being disappointed for someone and being disappointed in someone – the two shouldn’t be confused. Selby hasn’t let anyone down, he has every reason to hold his head high and if the reaction he receives when he returns to Wales is half of what’s expected then it may blow his socks off.
On the wider scale, the issue with the Olympics is that it provides an unprecedented platform, a huge amount of people witness the Games and it’s impossible for casual fans to appreciate all of the factors; history, form, the draw, seeding, etc. Even hardcore boxing fans don’t follow the amateur code and many, particularly Americans, have struggled to comprehend that amateur boxing scoring system.
The facts behind the early exit have to be recognised, Selby was a partial victim of his pre-Olympic success. Seeded 2nd saw the Barry flyweight given a first round bye and therefore side-lined during the first week of the games. Unable to build momentum, Selby had to hit the ground running in his first bout against teak-tough rough and tumble Kazak Ilyas Suleimenov. Prevailing with a less than stellar 19-15 points win, Selby wasn’t given a chance to settle, progressing to face a typically cute Cuban in the form of Robeisy Ramirez Carrazana. Carrazana’s water tight defence soaked up Selby’s early (and un-scored by the judges) body attacks and picked his moments to take the bout 16-11 with superbly schooled straight shots.
Unseeded due to only recently dropping down to flyweight from bantamweight, fighters of Carrazana’s talent shouldn’t meet the likes of Selby until latter stages of the tournament. Selby’s talent is worth a semi-final place, proved by having previously defeated Ireland’s semi-finalist Michael Conlan and losing by a point to Russian semi-finalist Misha Aloian. It was just luck (or un-luck) of the draw that saw him meet Carrazana before the medal stages. Nonetheless, there can’t be excuses about the draw, it’s the nature of the beast and Selby would have had to face the best at one stage anyway.
Selby will no doubt enjoy a brief break from boxing now but when the time soon comes to decide his next step, the ex-world number one will still have the world at his feet. Money does talk because boxing is a short career and there’s certain to be a line of promoters eager to tempt Selby to turn professional but there are dangers. In the pros the super-flyweight/flyweight divisions lack depth and fighters can be fast tracked at the detriment to their development.
On the other hand, the Team GB boxing set-up continues to break records under the excellent guidance of Rob McCracken and his assembly of coaches. With the funding guaranteed and able to provide a comfortable financial life, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Selby stay amateur and go for Olympic gold again aged 27 at Rio in four years time.
Whatever path Andrew Selby chooses next, his options are endlessly open and he’s certain to be supported by the admiration of Wales.