Demetrius Andrade, Shawn Estrada, and Deontay Wilder all began their professional careers late last year. Gary Russell made an impressive debut last night on ShoBox. Sadam Ali and Luis Yanez are both scheduled to premiere in the near future. Rau'shee Warren has confirmed his desire to make the 2012 USA Olympic team. This leaves two boxers from the 2008 team with uncertain prospects: Javier Molina and Raynell Williams. Molina looked quite green and was easily defeated in the first round of the games. I would not be surprized at all were he to stay in the amateur ranks for another four years. Williams, on the other hand, seemed to have a bit more technical proficiency to go with his impressive physical ability. Does anyone know his status? I would have thought that he, like Russell, would be trying his lot in the lower weights of the professional ranks.
It kind of figures. It seems like everyone who has intentions of turning professional has either already had a fight or is in the process of having it scheduled. So it seems like USA Boxing will have three '08 Olympians back in their system: Warren, Williams, and Molina. Kolya, do you think that they will all make the '12 London team? Any other young stars on the horizon that we should be on the lookout for?
