Any boxers in the Olympics to look out for?

Lomachenko is the best pro prospect in the Olympics by a long shot. He's still my preliminary pick for top pro boxer of this decade, and he's not even pro yet. The closet comp is probably Yuri Arbachakov, only he's going pro about 10 years younger than Yuri did. Superb technical boxer, great balance, great defense. The biggest qualms are that sometimes he's happy to throw one shot at a time, and that his power is just average (but certainly good enough to not be a liability). I'm hoping that he lets his hands go a bit more as a pro, but even if he doesn't, he's still a guy who connects at a very high percentage and sees punches coming at him.

 

As for Usyk, I think he'll do well, but he's just lacking as a pro prospect. I could easily see him capturing a belt, but he reminds me a lot of Alexeev.

My deep dark horse is Dominic Braezeale, who's probably too inexperienced and raw to do well in the games, but has the tools and size to be a really good pro. Very hard worker, very athletic, about 6'6" 250 but ripped, former starting D1 college quarterback, quick learner, etc. With a guy like that, the chin is always a question, but at the pace he's picked up the sport and with his set of tools, I have little doubt that he'll at worst be a contender as a pro, and possibly a force. He's about the size of Fury and Price, but better conditioned, a lot quicker and more athletic than either one. If he can continue to learn at the rate he has (which is a BIG if for someone go never boxed before he was 23), and if he can still take a punch without headgear, I think he'll be very good for a very long time. He'll need to get a solid trainer, but considering his background that shouldn't be a problem.

 

Check out Serik Sapiyev. Fights sort of like Sergio Martinez on speed.

 

Dominic Breazeale of USA is a converted quarterback standing 6'6. He is the Seth Mitchell of the Olympics.

 

If you like Andre Dirrell (and it seems not many do) you'll like Marcus Browne of USA. Fights a bit like him out of the southpaw stance.

 

He's got the highly ranked Aussie Damien Hooper in his first fight, who also has a bit of Andre Dirrell about him with the switching stances (predominantly orthodox). That should be a good fight then.

 

looking forward to it. Does Hooper take after Dirrell mentally as well?

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/hooper-clears-air-on-escape-from-ais-20120725-22rcc.html

 

Nah Dirrell has the timid sort of mental break downs, Hooper has the aggressive sort of mental break downs (And only outside the ring). I've always seen Hooper focused and ready to go in the boxing ring, can't say the same for Dirrell.

 

Heavyweight Anthony Joshua.

Favorite to win gold next to Mago

 

His first fight is against cuban Erislandy Savon. Savon is not great but a tough fight for anyone lets see how it goes, good competitive fight to start things off

 

I'm a bit shocked at that. The hometown favorite against Savon. I thought the 'draw' was gonna favor Joshua.

Savon is 'good', the fact he is the nephew of Stevenson will make him 'very good'. But you are right, he's still not great. Both guys got big motivations.

Savon for his uncle and Joshua for his country.

 

Hopefully Joshua turn out to be the real deal.

Boxing needs another Lennox Lewis.

Sadly, I don't see the Lewis skills in Joshua yet. He could still live up to potential. He should grow out dreads imo.

 

lookin forward to seeing this guy.....

 

Going to be a lot of disappointed fans I think, Joshua isn't actually that good. I rank him about 4th or 5th in his division.

 

The only thing that will get to him is pressure.
Medzhidov was the undisputed #1 and a much greener Joshua 'lost' to him by 1 point at the worlds Tournament Finals

It could very well have been Joshua, Medzhidov was wobbling in the last round and ready to go.
Joshua at age 22, 6'6, fully fit, have the highest skill cap out of any Olympian Heavyweight since Wladimir Klitscho.
I doubt he'll be the next Lennox Lewis

but I'm 'definitely' rooting for him to win Gold and to grow out some dreads