Anthony Joshua staying Amateur for Rio 2016?!

For a heavyweight 22 is way too young to turn pro

Right decision for him IMO

 

He said he's staying amateur for at east another year to try and win the world championships.

 

Don't kid yourself. He won't stay am. Money talks!!!

 

I guarantee he stays amateur, he turned down 50k to turn pro when he won the ABA's in 2010, it's not nearly as much as he's going to get offered now, but it shows his mindset.

On Sky Sports news the other day he said he's not in boxing for the money, I genuinely believe him, he is a mature lad.

 

the guy is definitely an amateur, no doubt!

 

Heavyweights mature mosly in 30's, maybe someones pulled him to one side and told him to get a bit more experience under belt in AM game and look to turn over in a few years time. It's scary that he's not even fully developed yet physically, Still some more time to grow physically.

Sometimes fella's patience is a virtue and i think this lad turning pro in a few years time makes sense. Maybe not financially but from a boxing POV..

 

they get good money from the lottery funding so i rekon 1 more yr amateur

 

There's a slight difference this time then with other Olympians in the past, the past they've had very much ABA men and AM people. Edwards for all his good work and Irwin were both AM men.

Now likes of Joshua have Woodhall and McCracken around them and they've been in pro game and still are and now the pitfulls and what's needed. There advice is crucial to these lads and lasses.

I think turning pro after the world championships is fine, may of lost the hype but maybe that's a good thing. I'm sure he wants to win that world championship bad as well..

 

This is how I feel. Even if he doesn't win the Worlds, the casuals won't care but if he does then it'll only help.

Ideal scenario for them is:

Joshua has another year development without scrutiny in the AMs. Goes to worlds and wins. McCracken and Joshua leave the AMs and join Eddie on Sky. Rob has Olympic and World AM champs - is the best UK AM trainer ever (ish). Froch will be on the way out and Eddie/Rob can develop a 'less raw' Joshua fully.

Should he not win the worlds, so what. Casuals won't know about it but at least he will have had another year of unobserved development under McCracken.

 

Normally I'd say he should turn over now, but reading he has only been boxing for 4 years makes me think he might be best staying AM for a year or two more.

 

Spot on :good.

 

I still can't believe the lack of honest feedback to his gift decision against the Cuban in the Olympics, it's totally swept under the carpet. He got beat soundly in the early rounds, absolute outrage.

He might hold the olympic gold, but the Cuban who 'lost' to him in the opening match was clearly the better boxer.

The Olympic boxing is mostly a complete farce.

 

He won't stay amateur for Rio. Another 2-3 years tops.

 

haha Rio's only 4 yrs away why stay amateur for another 3 years & not box for another Olympic medal