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HOW TO BRING UP A PROSPECT


edsel77x
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Teddy Atlas has repeatedly complained that the Olympic class of 2008 has been brought along far too slowly. He argues that fighters of their expansive amateur backgrounds gain nothing from opponent after opponent obligingly crumbling at their feet. His pleas for steps up in competition have fallen on deaf ears.

 

The competition of Shawn Estrada, Demetrius Andrade, and Deontay Wilder have remained at the four-rounder, losing record level, despite the number of wins approaching ten for all three fighters. Atlas is correct, but he needs to complain to someone who might care, like the people in programming.

 

Why are these fighters’ obvious first steps being televised? 20I can understand following new talent like the Cuban defectors, and the U.S Olympians for their pro debuts, but after that, make a rule: If you want TV time again, fight someone with a pulse. Look at it from a managerial perspective. Their fighters are gaining recognition, and looking unstoppable, against nobodies. What reason would they have to step up any faster? Don’t give them a forum, and watch all that change.

 

This is not an epidemic without exception. Kazakh fighter Beibut Shumenov fell only two points shy of capturing the WBA Light Heavyweight title in only his ninth pro fight last Saturday. However, he has already faced two former world champions on his way up, and had about as extensive a background in the amateurs as is humanly possible without being Cuban. For those guys, he has proven that Atlas is right... it can work. You simply need to offer the TV spots to those who step up, and create the incentive.

 

Let it also be said that Shumenov built himself into a world-title; challenger by fighting half his fights at home in Kazakhstan, and the other half in off TV matches in North Carolina, Washington, Florida, and Tennessee. Hardly the expected pedigree for a title shot, yet he beat the recognizable names, and got the shot. Therefore there is really no way around fighting someone tough. It has to happen sooner or later.

 

http://www.convictedartistmagazine.com/boxing-news/291-how-to-bring-up-a-prospect.html

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Rigondeaux won his "interim" in his 7th bout (with regards to Cubans)

Chisora is being written off as inexperienced after what 13 fights?

Ioka is in a title fight in his 7th fight

Casey in his 13th?

 

The problem is US promoters (aside from Arum) don't have any idea how to bring youngsters along. A case I've made time and time again with GBP. How can Ishe Smith be a world contenders best opponent? Ishe was below the level of several of Pirogs opponents (who was brought it VERY tough himself), and yet still managed to push Jacobs hard. Promoters may well be wanting to protect their investment which is fair enough but better that the prospect learns quickly that he needs to get his crap together than learn it after taking a real beating at the hands of a nobody.

 

Glazkov and Wilder both won Olympic bronze medals at the 2008 games. Whilst Glazkov has had some easy fights (http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=496178&cat=boxer) he has faced some experienced knowledgeable opponents that will have taught him more than Wilder will learn any time soon. I know Rob (and Riz on boxing banter) both defended Wilder and said he's inexperienced, but he's not getting experience fighting these fat, over the hill nobodies.

 

Though Atlas has to ask when he's letting his own Olympic medal winner off the leash...

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