For those who watch alot of international competitions...

[davetko]

Have you seen any American boxers you think can medal in 2008?

[Dennis]

Have you seen any American boxers you think can medal in 2008?

Raushee Warren for sure.
Gary Russell, Jr.
Shawn Porter
Demetrius Andrade
Karl Dargan might
Luis Yanez might
There are others that definitely could medal, but these are the ones that I think have the best chances.

[boxmel]

Raushee, hopefully, has matured enough to handle international competition. Unfortunately, we won't really know until the end of the year -IF he wins the U.S. Championships and IF he goes to the Worlds. At this point, he hasn't boxed since last October. Dennis, I'd love to see your wish list medal. Will be interesting to see how they do at the Pan Am qualifiers and, hopefully, the Games.

[Themorethebetter!]

Have you seen any American boxers you think can medal in 2008?

I'm betting on Wilson... He has matured over the years and I think this is something he is ready to do. I just found this site and for the most part there has not been much positive said on his behalf. I have watched him over the years and not only has he been around for a while, he is just an overall nice kid

[boxmel]

I think you're reading "not nice" into assessments by various people who have seen Mike compete. I have know Mike since he was a JO and I've also seen him turn into a good open SHW. I have also, however, seen him out of shape and not focused. Sometimes it depends on which Mike Wilson shows up. He is definitely a nice kid and I like him as a person. I am not blind to defects or lacks in any of our boxers and have been known to lecture when I felt performance was lacking in a boxer I know can do better. It will be interesting to see how he does in the Pam Am qualifiers, especially against the Cubans - however, with their top SHW gone.....we'll see if the next guy is as good.

[Themorethebetter!]

Although I did not get to see Wilson perform in CO this time, from what I heard he looked alright. Unfortunate that he did not get to finish the tourney with a victory over Jonte with a win. He obviously went there to fight and a walkover althoug a win is not what most of the boxers want. Perhaps it would be nice if the experts out there manning this site would voice their suggestions so that a better boxer could be made. That is if Wilson or the others are watching this board. I am just saying I remember him for the past several years and he is one of the few that has stuck it out. I wish him success. As for the others I have my favorites in the other weight classes as well. However, I may be wanting the win for the quality of the person in the ring. We all know that we want the best quality overall to represent the US as we were sure lacking in the SHW's 2004 Olympics. I personally was embarrased for Estrada if he was not for himself!

[boxmel]

Perhaps it would be nice if the experts out there manning this site would voice their suggestions so that a better boxer could be made.

Too bad it isn't as easy or uncomplicated. Us "experts" all have different points of view and opinions. I can tell a boxer what the judges are looking for and how to box with the computer scoring system. Coaches here can give advice but no one or two coaches is more expert than the other (in most cases). Boxers need a coach who can watch them and correct mistakes.

We all know that we want the best quality overall to represent the US as we were sure lacking in the SHW's 2004 Olympics. I personally was embarrased for Estrada if he was not for himself!

I'm still angry with him! He had so much talent and just threw it all away. He was very undisciplined and tended to be arrogant on trips and in camp.

[mike222]

The six you mention definitely have medal chances but none can yet be considered as gold or silver winners.The worlds in Russia later this year will give a better indication.I like Andrade and Warren but the competition is stiff.

[Dennis]

I don't mind the U.S. getting some Bronze medals too. Mayweather won a Bronze. Jermain Taylor won a Bronze. Evander Holyfield did too. There is no shame in winning a Bronze medal. I just want the US team to do better than it did in '04 (one gold and one bronze). I agree that the six I mentioned may not be favored to win Gold medals, but sometimes the favorites don't win anyway. I just want to see at least 4 or 5 medals.

[Themorethebetter!]

I agree with you Mel, Boxers need a coach that watches and corrects in every workout. From what I have heard about and from Mike is that though he has a gym to work out in, his coach is not present but a couple of times a week. Even then he is watching other boxers or working out himself. Imagine the skills Mike could pick up if he had a dedicated coach. Perhaps he needs to move to CO Springs or somewhere that has a dedicated coach.

[J*BOX*]

I think that this is going to be Wilsons year, I would think making it to the olympics and getting a medal would be the most important thing right now after the last two olympics with wilson being the alternate. He just has to focus on nothing but boxing and make sure he's in the best shape he can be in. I'm hoping that he works really hard this year to prove himself.

[boxmel]

Ummm - isn't Mike being coached by the Pedrojetti's (sp)? Unfortunately, the Olympic Training Center does not have a resident program for boxing. There has been talk but nothing concrete has happened or is in the works.

[Themorethebetter!]

Yes the Pedrojetti's are his coach in name...but they are busy with their business. Consequently they don't have the time they once had to dedicate to amature boxing. In essence... Mike is training himself other than an occassional session in the gym with Jim. Not to mention that all the training is done by the son as the older Pedrojetti is not much in the picture in the boxing arena. I believe since after the last Olympic trials. That is of course unless something big is coming up. However, Mike has perservered and is faithfully in gym daily and is lifting after and running in the AM. So... I really believe if he had the quality of training that some of the others get he has the heart and the potential to make us proud. I know that there is not a resident facility in CO...but he does have some connections with coaches who believe in him hopefully they will talk with him and set something up.

[J*BOX*]

Yes the Pedrojetti's are his coach in name...but they are busy with their business. Consequently they don't have the time they once had to dedicate to amature boxing. In essence... Mike is training himself other than an occassional session in the gym with Jim. Not to mention that all the training is done by the son as the older Pedrojetti is not much in the picture in the boxing arena. I believe since after the last Olympic trials. That is of course unless something big is coming up. However, Mike has perservered and is faithfully in gym daily and is lifting after and running in the AM. So... I really believe if he had the quality of training that some of the others get he has the heart and the potential to make us proud. I know that there is not a resident facility in CO...but he does have some connections with coaches who believe in him hopefully they will talk with him and set something up.

I ALSO THINK THAT IF MIKE DID HAVE SOME CONSISTENT TRAINING AND SOMEONE WHO REALLY WORKED WITH HIM ON HOW TO STRENGTHEN HIS SKILLS THAT HE WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING. (EVEN THOUGH I THINK HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL EITHER WAY) AND ALSO TO MEL SINCE YOU'VE WATCHED HIM IN BOXING SINCE HE WAS YOUNG DO YOU SEE GOOD POTENTIAL FOR HIM IN THE FUTURE ESPECIALLY IF HE HAD SOME GOOD TRAINING AND WAS FOCUSED?

[Themorethebetter!]

As stated...I really believe if he has quality training, he has the heart and the potential to make us proud. I think it is early enough that Wilson can be up to his full potential by the 2008's. I will continue to watch.