What amateurs have caught your attention? With most of the rio team turning pro, it'll be an interesting few years for amateurs who try get to Tokyo 2020
Out of the ones that are pretty much nailed on to stay amateur Pat McCormack is the main one for me and I definitely expect him to medal in Tokyo. His brother Luke and Calum French all from the same club Birtley will probably qualify for Tokyo and do well. Also, I was impressed with Galal Yafai in his Rio fight but he was probably too young and inexperienced then and by the time 2020 comes round he'll be a lot better. Mad amounts of talent coming through the GB system though so it'll be interesting to see how they'll all improve but I can only see us doing very well in major competitions from now on.
The level Galal Yafai is performing at after being so relatively inexperienced really is something else. I see him as the best prospect for 2020 especially after his recent WSB showings.
Dalton Smith has looked good whenever I've seen him beside the ones mentioned such as Pat McCormack, who i think is the star of the squad atm
Heard that lad Harris Akbar who just won the England Championships (formerly ABA's) is very talented. Think he's only about 19 as well.
Heard that Haris Akbar gives him a run for his money in sparring. Luke McCormack Pat's identical twin not being mentioned and ever since junior age he's seemed just as good as Pat.
He is good, But he's dirty. I was at the finals on Sunday and even then he did a couple hits behind head. One of my friends use to be 69 and sparred Haris and said one thing he noticed is the dirty hits behind head and not greatest stamina
What was his fight with Laws like in the final. I know Joe Laws, good lad, I was hoping he would win it and actually believed he would but apparently Akbar is a good fighter. Also what was the Hodgson fight like n 60kg final heard he won, pleased to hear it but surprised did not realise he was that good.
Felt for Laws, Harris was a step ahead the whole fight. Laws gave good effort showed he has heart but nobody questions the decision. Can't remember the hodgson fight that well from memory!
the ABA's is basically like the 3rd or 4th best fighters in the weight facing each other, the top GB guys don't even enter. Plus it's only English fighters, no scots or welsh or northern irish. To me it's overrated it's like the equivalent of winning a Area title in the pros.
Well Anthony Fowler and Troy Williamson have just turned pro.. So it's up for debate between Whittaker, John Docherty from Scotland, and Jordan Reynolds. Whittaker beat Reynolds at the weekend.. not seen the fight though. In most weights it really is the 3rd or 4th best in britain facing each other.. Pat Mccormack, Dalton Smith, Frazer Clarke, Mcgrail, French, Yafai, etc etc all didn't enter
Top prospects: Tom Hodgson 60kg Dalton smith 64kg McCormack twins 64/69kg Carl failharris Akbar 69kg Ben Whittaker 75kg Upcoming prospects: Ismail Khan 52kg Martin mcdonagh 64kg Ben fail 75kg Shakiel Thompson 75kg
