We often talk about highly successful amateurs who have dissapointed since turning pro, but what about the other way around. Poor, or even midly successful, amateurs (or just amateurs you didn't think would make it) who turned out to be fanastic pro's.
I remember the 1996 Olympics very well, I can remember most of Floyd Mayweather's fights and to be honest I didn't think we were witnessing the most skilled boxer of a generation. He looked very fortunate to get as far as he did- some of the decision were very pro USA, though I did think he was unlucky to lose in the semi final. He barely resembled the master defensive fighter he is now, sure the handspeed was there - but the defence was leaky. Of all the US amateurs that year it was Zahir Raheem that impressed me the most. David Reid looked like a dangerous puncher but that eye always worried me and so did his chin.
Although he impressed later on in his amateur career, I'll never forget when David Haye repressented England vs The USA and was expected to be a banker for victory but blew up and blew his chances. Even at that young age, he seemed to be more fascinating with looking good outside of the ring but there was no sign of his now feared punch. When he lost to that limited fighter I really did think he might retire, but alas no he came back well in the Amateurs (just as he has done in the pro's).
I'm sure there are loads of others - some stories would be nice.
Amateurs who have pleasantly surprised you when turned pro.
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SticknMove
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 5950
- Joined: 04 Aug 2006, 09:02
Just for you StuJones,
Joe Calzhaghe
A very good amateur who has turned out to be an exceptional pro and P4P regarded as one of the best in the world today. Never would have believed this when he first turned over. I have seen a lot of very good amateurs who did not make a fraction of the impact he has.
Other mention would be Steve Roberts. Only since I knew him since he was a kid and although he was a good junior I am pleasantly surprised to have seen him do so well as a pro, albeit, he only won a paper title.
Joe Calzhaghe
A very good amateur who has turned out to be an exceptional pro and P4P regarded as one of the best in the world today. Never would have believed this when he first turned over. I have seen a lot of very good amateurs who did not make a fraction of the impact he has.
Other mention would be Steve Roberts. Only since I knew him since he was a kid and although he was a good junior I am pleasantly surprised to have seen him do so well as a pro, albeit, he only won a paper title.
My mate was beating Joe in the semi final of the welsh am finals. joe broke my mates nose and the ref stopped the fight on bleeding. My mate still went on to challenge for the british title but joe obviously went on to much much bigger things. The point of the story, going on that fight, which Ive seen on dvd, Joe shouldnt have gone that much further than my mate who went on to challenge for the british title.
Michael Smyth?Wales wrote:My mate was beating Joe in the semi final of the welsh am finals. joe broke my mates nose and the ref stopped the fight on bleeding. My mate still went on to challenge for the british title but joe obviously went on to much much bigger things. The point of the story, going on that fight, which Ive seen on dvd, Joe shouldnt have gone that much further than my mate who went on to challenge for the british title.
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E
- Heavyweight
Re: Amateurs who have pleasantly surprised you when turned p
stujones wrote:We often talk about highly successful amateurs who have dissapointed since turning pro, but what about the other way around. Poor, or even midly successful, amateurs (or just amateurs you didn't think would make it) who turned out to be fanastic pro's.
I remember the 1996 Olympics very well, I can remember most of Floyd Mayweather's fights and to be honest I didn't think we were witnessing the most skilled boxer of a generation. He looked very fortunate to get as far as he did- some of the decision were very pro USA, though I did think he was unlucky to lose in the semi final. He barely resembled the master defensive fighter he is now, sure the handspeed was there - but the defence was leaky. Of all the US amateurs that year it was Zahir Raheem that impressed me the most. David Reid looked like a dangerous puncher but that eye always worried me and so did his chin.
Although he impressed later on in his amateur career, I'll never forget when David Haye repressented England vs The USA and was expected to be a banker for victory but blew up and blew his chances. Even at that young age, he seemed to be more fascinating with looking good outside of the ring but there was no sign of his now feared punch. When he lost to that limited fighter I really did think he might retire, but alas no he came back well in the Amateurs (just as he has done in the pro's).
I'm sure there are loads of others - some stories would be nice.
I always thought Calzaghe and Roy Jones woud do well.... but I also thought Alan Temple would do really well also....
I don't think Felix Savon would've one well at heavy - I think his chin would've been exposed.
Actually I was surprised Riddick Bowe did so well - I remember Ring Magazine saying he would flop....
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Old bones Ian
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 11792
- Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33
If my memory is correct, Calzaghe stopped every opponent while winning ABA titles at welter, light-middle and middleweight.
Is is true that Savon actually stopped David Tua in something like 12 seconds ?!
One of the UK's biggest flops would have to be Errol Christie I guess. He was "nailed on" for pro success in a lot of people's eyes.
Bruno was a big overachiever as he'd a fairly limited amateur career (for an eventual world champ, I mean) although he did win the ABA title.
One of the biggest overachievers would have to be Chris Eubank, he had only 26 amateur bouts, 19 wins and 7 losses including being stopped in 30 seconds of his first contest.... according to his autobiography, which is a very entertaining read.
Is is true that Savon actually stopped David Tua in something like 12 seconds ?!
One of the UK's biggest flops would have to be Errol Christie I guess. He was "nailed on" for pro success in a lot of people's eyes.
Bruno was a big overachiever as he'd a fairly limited amateur career (for an eventual world champ, I mean) although he did win the ABA title.
One of the biggest overachievers would have to be Chris Eubank, he had only 26 amateur bouts, 19 wins and 7 losses including being stopped in 30 seconds of his first contest.... according to his autobiography, which is a very entertaining read.
errol christie
[quote.
One of the UK's biggest flops would have to be Errol Christie I guess. He was "nailed on" for pro success in a lot of people's eyes.
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.[/quote] i remember errol christie fighting on the street with i think his name was mark kaylor
One of the UK's biggest flops would have to be Errol Christie I guess. He was "nailed on" for pro success in a lot of people's eyes.
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.[/quote] i remember errol christie fighting on the street with i think his name was mark kaylor
Craig Winterstujones wrote:Michael Smyth?Wales wrote:My mate was beating Joe in the semi final of the welsh am finals. joe broke my mates nose and the ref stopped the fight on bleeding. My mate still went on to challenge for the british title but joe obviously went on to much much bigger things. The point of the story, going on that fight, which Ive seen on dvd, Joe shouldnt have gone that much further than my mate who went on to challenge for the british title.
Remember watching Craig Winter fight for the Welsh Light Middleweight title against Newport's Paul Samuels. What a peach of a KO that was!! Use to see Paul sometimes before his fights, down to earth, top guy. Shame his pro career never got to where it should have! That stoppage of Eric Holland still looks good though.Wales wrote:Craig Winterstujones wrote:Michael Smyth?Wales wrote:My mate was beating Joe in the semi final of the welsh am finals. joe broke my mates nose and the ref stopped the fight on bleeding. My mate still went on to challenge for the british title but joe obviously went on to much much bigger things. The point of the story, going on that fight, which Ive seen on dvd, Joe shouldnt have gone that much further than my mate who went on to challenge for the british title.
