Are the Olympics a good indicator for future talent at heavyweight?

Are the Olympics a good indicator for future talent at heavyweight?

What type of talent does it produce?

Which Olympic classes were the best?

I have come up with my own scoring system. Enclosed is the data from 1984-2004. Since I not fully aware of everyone who turned pro, if you spot an omission, let me now.

Enjoy:



Scoring Key

Solid regional fighter +1
Solid name journeyman type, top 50-100 at Box Rec +2
Fringe contender who fought for a major alphabet belt +3
Top Ten Ring Magazine contender +4
Top Ten Ring Magazine Ranked contender who won a major alphabet belt +5
Ring Magazine Champion + 6



1984 Heavy and Super Heavy Olympic Class


Evander Holyfield +6 ( Competed at 81k )
Henry Tilman +1
Alex Stewart +2
Willie DeWitt +1
Tyrell Biggs +4
Francesso Damiani +3
Lennox Lewis +6

*Boycott Olympics from the Cubans and Russians

Score for the class of 1984 = 23 points



1988 Heavy and super heavy Olympic Class

Tom Gelbsey +1
Zelko Markovic +3
Henry Aikwande +4 ( was he top ten ring magazine ranked? )
Ray Mercer +5
Andrew Golota +4
Alex Miroshnichecko +2
Lennox Lewis +6
Riddick Bowe +6

Score for the class of 1988 = 31 points




1992 heavy and super heavy Olympic class:

Chris Byrd +5 ( Competed at middle )
David Izon +2
David Tua +4
Kirk Johnson +4
Zelko Markovic +3 ( also in 1988 games )
Danell Nicholson +2
Kevin McBride +2
Brian Neilsen +2
Tom Glesby +1 ( also in 1988 games )
Larry Donald +4
Will Fischer +1

*Did not go pro. Savon and Blando, both of whom won gold.

Score for 1992 class = 30 points



1996 heavy and super heavyweight Olympic class:


Vilssi Jirov +2 ( Compted at light heavy )
Timor Ibragimov +2 (Competed at light heavy)

Nate Jones+2
Luan Kasniqui + 3
Ruslan Chagaev +5
David Defiagbon + 2
Sergi Liahovich +5
Wladimir Klitschko +6
Paolo Vidoz +2
Duncan Dokwari +2
Lawerence Clay-Bey +2
Jean Berigon +2
Paea Wolfgram +2
Atila Levin +1

Score for 1996 class = 34 points



2000 Heavy and Super heavyweight Olympic Class


Sultan Ibragimov +5
Rulans Chagaev +5 ( also in 1996 games )
Wlad Chanuria +1
Audley Harrison +3, with a chance to move up if he beats Haye
Paolo Vidoz +2 ( also in 1996 games )
Art Binkowski +1
Sam Peter +5
Alex Mazkin +1
Cen Koc +1
Calvin Brock +4
Constanin Onofrei +1

Score for 2000 class = 29 points



2004 Heavy and Super Heavyweight Olympic Class

Odlanier Solis +2, and climbing
Devin Vargus +1
Alexander Povetkin +4, with a chance to go higher
Sebestian Kober +1
Alex Mazkin +1 ( also in 2000 games )
Jason Estrada +1
Victor Basbal +1

*Did not turn Pro Roberto Cammarelle. While it is too early to score the class of 2004, for now they have 11 points. Upside depends greatly on Solis and Povetkin

 

And Peter anc Chagaev were also in the Olympics.

 

I switched Biggs to +4. Harrison will be fighting for Haye's title, whether we like it or not, so I gave him +3

 

The 2008 class has some talent as well. Here is who turned pro so far.

Rakhim Chakhkiev ( Rus ) looks to be a future champion at cruiser. Chakhkiev looks like he's made out of steel. He's very durable, has rocks for fists, and loves to brawl. Might be a tad short at 6' to move up to heavyweight. A very fan friendly type of fighter with a Joe Frazier type of left hook.

Deontay Wilder is the best young American heavyweight, at least in terms of potential. He's long and he can hit. He is being moved very slowly, which tells me he needs a lot of work.

Vyacheslav Glazkov ( Ukraine ) has excellent credentials, and was viewed as the 2nd best super heavy after Cammarelle. An all around talent with size, speed, and power, but perhaps not exceptional at anything.

Kubrat Pulev ( Bulgaria ) has been sensational as a pro. He's big, fast skilled, and has solid power. Great cominations. He looks to be a future alphabet champion, with a chance to be the top guy after the Klitschko's retire.

David Price ( England ) is a legit super heavy. He's tall, and strong, but stiff, and a bit chinny. I do not think he will make it past the regional level.