Amateur boxing

[dutchie]

Why are so many boxing boddies hoping our olympic boxing medalists remain amature,cant get my head around it as i thought as in every sport the sportsman or woman should try and compete at as high a level as possible,and that would be going professional like sutherland has gone,any thoughts?

[Dodge]

Egan certainly isn't suited to the pro game. I'd hate him to go into the pros and have a poor career. He can do so much more as an amateur

Sutherland has looked like a pro from day 1.

Good luck to them, whatever path they take

[passinginterest]

Why are so many boxing boddies hoping our olympic boxing medalists remain amature,cant get my head around it as i thought as in every sport the sportsman or woman should try and compete at as high a level as possible,and that would be going professional like sutherland has gone,any thoughts?

I'd imagine it's because they're basically different sports. It's almost like comparing rugby league to rugby union. Some skills cross over to both codes but it takes different strengths to be a success. Plenty of great amateurs have struggled to make it as pros. With funding from the Olympic Council and that sort of thing the elite amateurs are basically professional anyway, if you know what I mean.

[Dodge]

I'd imagine it's because they're basically different sports. It's almost like comparing rugby league to rugby union.

Great analogy

[joeSoap]

Some boxers styles are suited to the Amateur scoring system (which is very flawed, and unfair). I think Ken Egan would be one of those fighters and would definitely struggle. Michael Carruth was another one. This is also why American amateur boxing has gone down the toilet and they no longer compete in Olympic Finals. They are bred and trained to be pro fighters.

[Dodge]

Some boxers styles are suited to the Amateur scoring system (which is very flawed, and unfair). I think Ken Egan would be one of those fighters and would definitely struggle. Michael Carruth was another one. This is also why American amateur boxing has gone down the toilet and they no longer compete in Olympic Finals. They are bred and trained to be pro fighters.

I don't think the amateur boxing scoring system is unfair at all. As above, its a different sport

American amatuer boxing is in bad shape because most people who become good at the sport come from poorer backgrounds and usually jump at the first offer of a pro contract

[joeSoap]

I don't think the amateur boxing scoring system is unfair at all. As above, its a different sport

American amatuer boxing is in bad shape because most people who become good at the sport come from poorer backgrounds and usually jump at the first offer of a pro contract

I disagree with you. The scoring is very unfair. 3 out of 5 judges have to hit the buzzer at exactly the same time for a point to be scored and a lot of fair punches landed are not given any scores at all. Its not a different sport. Its one sport with different rules for its professional and amateur ranks which in itself smacks of stupidity.

As for American amateur boxing being in bad shape because of peoples backgrounds- did these boxers only start coming from poorer backgrounds when the rules on points scoring changed? Because up to that point, you had at least three to four American Boxing Golds at every Olympiad.

[Dodge]

Up to 20 years ago you didn't have 20-30 professional shows per week in the US, and you also didn't have 10-15 eastern europeans in each weight category

And I think the amateur system is far, far fairer than the pro judging IMO

[joeSoap]

Lets look at the last 9 olympic games and the USA medal count.

2008- 1 Bronze.
2004-No medals
2000-No medals
1996- 1 gold
1992- 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
1988-3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze.
1984- 9 golds 1 silver, 1 bronze
1980-Absent
1976-5 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze.

I think you'll agree that there was a marked difference after the 1988 games in Seoul, when the rules were changed after the event. The irony of it is that it was the Americans who screamed for the system to be changed because the judges blatantly robbed Roy Jones Jr of a gold medal at those games.

I think this proves this scoring system suits a certain style of boxing, and unless you're an exceptional fighter then anyone can have a chance of beating you.

[Dodge]

I think this proves this scoring system suits a certain style of boxing

I never disputed this

However some fo the statistics are misleading on their own. Cuba was absent from the 1988 games, and of course the eastern block boycotted 1984.

The olympics, and amateur boxing is far more global now so I don't think the points system si the sole reason for the big differences between 1976 and now

[joeSoap]

I think it is a huge part of it, so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[shakermaker1982]

I'd have to go with JoeSoap on the scoring- body punches and hooks rarely count and a boxer is wasting his time if he tries to throw a few combinations. Straight single punches with a nice tight guard is the key to success.

Boxing in America in general is in decline. I don't think the problem is with individuals opting for the paid ranks but more to do with them choosing a different sport - particularly at the heavier weights (Light Heavy upwards). Why get smacked in the head for little or no reward when you can get signed up on a scholarship playing basketball or American football? Lots of talented black sportsmen that had the athleticism and natural attributes to make it as a boxer are going down the American football route. I'm pretty sure I read an interview with Manny Steward expressing his concerns on this very issue. How many yanks are regarded as the finest fighter in their respective weight divisions at this moment in time? Hopkins at light heavy and Pavlik at middleweight. Maybe Oscar at light middle as well........