Was there ever an Olmpic gold medalist that could have won a world title in their first pro fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mark ant, Jul 9, 2019.



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  1. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    I know this is a stupid question, but some comments on this forum have led me to believe some fans feel olympic level is world class, is that true? Could olmpic greats like Teofilo stevenson have done well in title fights in their first ever bouts at pro level?
     
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
    #1
  2. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    None really spring immediately to mind.

    I think Sugar Ray Leonard would've been good enough in his pro debut to beat WBA Welterweight champ Angel Espada.

    The problem was Espada lost his title to Cuevas the day before the 1976 Olympics began. By the time they were over, Cuevas was champ. I don't think Leonard in his debut beats Cuevas.

    So that doesn't work.
     
    Dubblechin, Jul 9, 2019
    Dubblechin, Jul 9, 2019
    #2
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  3. Jackstraw

    Jackstraw Mercy for me, justice for thee! Full Member

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    I reckon it depends on Olympian and champion at the time. I’m sure theoretically it’d be possible, though.
     
    Jackstraw, Jul 9, 2019
    Jackstraw, Jul 9, 2019
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  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    Lomachenko could’ve. Same with Rigondeaux.
     
    NoNeck, Jul 9, 2019
    NoNeck, Jul 9, 2019
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  5. DirtyDan

    DirtyDan Worst Poster of 2015 Full Member

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    He lost to Salido in his 2nd fight. Whether he could of beaten Gonzalez or the other champions at Featherweight at the time in a 12 round fight is a diff story.
     
    DirtyDan, Jul 9, 2019
    DirtyDan, Jul 9, 2019
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  6. JamesFosterGB

    JamesFosterGB New Member Full Member

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    JamesFosterGB, Jul 9, 2019
    JamesFosterGB, Jul 9, 2019
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  7. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think Meldrick Taylor or Pernell Whitaker might have beaten a guy like Harry Arroyo for the lightweight crown. That's not a slight on Arroyo, I actually think he was pretty decent. Taylor and Whitaker were just that advanced that early and it's a good stylistic matchup for them both.
     
    salsanchezfan, Jul 9, 2019
    salsanchezfan, Jul 9, 2019
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  8. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Maybe Loma?
     
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
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  9. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Ali really struggled against Doug Jones and was really slim, don`t forget Ali was the light heavy olympic champ and Paterson would have been too much for Ali at that point, Paterson would have dealt with Jones far better than Ali did when he was floored during that bout, Ali was reaching his peak around the Williams fight his movement was better and more consistent he didn`t move as much v Jones. Ali looked fantastic v Daniels in terms of his counter punch speed thoughearly in his career. Which would champs today do you feel wouldn`t be able to win olmpic golds and why? Do amateurs have to learn how to adapt during a 12 round fight also? Floyd wasn`t that good during his first 3 rounds in a lot of his pro fights and only won bronze during his olympics, he was a far better fighter as a pro and would have dominated the guy that won gold in the pros. You are right about the pace being slower in the pros though, I never thought about that before.
     
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
    mark ant, Jul 9, 2019
    #9
  10. expljose

    expljose Active Member Full Member

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    Pea all day long...if you watch his pro debut he looks like someone with 15/20 fights under his belt..he just went in there and fought his match ..looked seasoned as all heck
     
    expljose, Jul 9, 2019
    expljose, Jul 9, 2019
    #10
  11. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Who was the lightweight champ at that time though?
     
    mark ant, Jul 10, 2019
    mark ant, Jul 10, 2019
    #11
  12. expljose

    expljose Active Member Full Member

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    Bramble was one of them i think
     
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    #12
  13. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Bramble was exposed by Rosario.
     
    mark ant, Jul 10, 2019
    mark ant, Jul 10, 2019
    #13
  14. expljose

    expljose Active Member Full Member

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    In 1986 yes
     
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    #14
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  15. expljose

    expljose Active Member Full Member

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    But in 1984 he was still champion
     
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    expljose, Jul 10, 2019
    #15
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