Brillant Amatures Who Were Bad/Medicore Pro's?

Clint's problem was after a disappointing first-fight loss in Montreal, he decided to stay amateur for another try. Then he lost his amateur status in 1979, about a year before the (later to be boycotted) Olympics, for fighting an exhibition on a pro show.

So Clint turned pro at age 25, and his heart wasn't completely in it because he was so geared up for Olympic glory.

Due to his late start, he was pushed a bit too fast -- facing 78-19-1 Jimmy Heair in his sixth fight in a 10-rounder, no less, for instance.

I didn't know he was still in prison, but I remember when he got convicted.

 

Jimmy Clark was also one who came to my mind.

You could include Duane Bobick also.

 

Mike Trainer was O'Sullivan's official manager, although Leonard did play a part in Shawn's career as a mentor in the gym and was also, along with J.D. Brown out of Washington who mostly handled the duties, helping out in the scouting & selecting of future opponents for Shawn during the early stages of his career. The two fighters had also sparred as early as when Leonard was making his comeback against Howard, and apparently the two really hit it off with each other from that point on.

 

Nick Wells ko'd Larry Holmes twice as an amateur but was nothing special as a pro.

 

could we please stop focusing on the one aspect of nick wells career. yes he ko'd holmes twice as an amateur . holmes refused to fight nick in the pros, which would have definatly been a great payday for both sides. but nick rocked the world as an amateur .Wells was a five-time Fort Worth Golden Gloves champion and a two-time Star-telegram Texas State Golden Gloves champion. Three time Texas state champion 1969,1970,1971.Five time all air force champion1972,1973,1974,1975,1976. Two time interservice champion1973,1975.Three time interservice runner up 1972,1974,1976.Two time Nevada state golden gloves champion 1972,1973. 1972 National AAU Champion. Western hemisphere Champion 1972 or 1973. World military Champion(CISM games)1973 . Wells compiled an amateur record of 189-18 with 110 knockouts, 72 of them in the first round. HE SUCKED AS A PRO THOUGH, BEATING NOBODY AND LOSING TO NOBODIES. WHY DID SOMEONE WITH SUCH BADASS STATS AS AN AMATEUR NOT MAKE THE TRANSITION?

 

Fair enough kolcade4, but the achievement which looms and will always loom in history is knocking out Larry Holmes twice.

Besides, I didn't know as much as you do about Wells' total amateur career. He obviously had an excellent overall amateur record.

 

Im not saying dont overlook the fact that he kayoed holmes twice, im saying that people need to realize that he accomplished more than just that as an amateur.

 

Mark Breland know winning a title is always a great feat for a fighter Breland was thought to be 1 of the greatest amateurs ever so maybe he could be included in this thread

 

errol christie

 

Jimmy Clark and Bobby Joe Young.

 

henry tillman

 

Hey, did anyone mention Howard Davis, Mark Breland, Jimmy Clark, or Audley Harrison yet? :nut

 

LOL, good pick, one of the few (if any) Olympic champs who were decked with the first punch they took as a pro!!!!

 

good call

adrian dodson
tontcho tontchev
peter richardson

 

whats your thoughts about nard taylor? 400+ am fights got to become a pretty solid fighter in the pro ranks but never reached anything that would suggest he was top notch material