How many world class heavyweights has the American professional juggernaut produced recently? And isn't the history of heavyweight boxing littered with champions who were world class amateurs before they turned pro? With regards to Latin American boxers having little or no amateur experience, that's a socio-economic factor; many Mexican fighters turn pro' at 15 or 16 as it's the only way for them to have any prospects of income. If the Mexicans had the financial backing for top amateurs to remain amateur on decent money, as is the case in GB or Ireland, then a) they would have more international amateur success, and b) a greater percentage of the world class Mexican professionals would have had a successful amateur pedigree.