Auspicious beginnings: fantastic professional debuts

I haven't watched it since the night it was televised in prime time, but I recall Evander being less than impressive in his debut. He was so highly touted after the olympics that I was expecting explosiveness. Instead his opponent hung very tough.

IIRC Pernell Whitaker was the star of the night, performance-wise.

 

Wasn't he matched tough for a debut though, I seem to remember being impressed but I haven't seen that Olympic card for many years.

And pea was almost always the star

 

Evander was indeed matched tough. I recall the commentators saying so. I actually expected more from his opponent, Lionel Byarm, after seeing him against Holyfield. His career didn't turn out that way, though.

Sweet Pea was slick, that's for sure. For a long time his Ramirez rematch at the Norfolk Scope was the only pro fight card I'd ever seen in person. Funnily enough, I saw Pernell the night before at Tracks (Norfolk record store) browsing through 12" singles. I didn't bother him.

 

Whitaker and Tszyu were the two guys who I think looked most like pro's from the second they walked into the ring.

Within 5 fights, they both looked like complete fighters.

 

They were both excellent but I thought Pea and Kostya looked like they had been boxing for years. They weren't as explosive but they looked so calm, like seasoned professionals.

 

Auspicious? Who are you? Pontifex Maximus?

 

Conor Benn

 

In his pro debut, Michael Carbajal (future light flyweight champ) fought another future light flyweight champ Will Grigsby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8Tw6Fftq9Q

 

Where's the fighter of the decade? :-(

 

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