can an elite amateur boxer with minimal pro fights survive at the highest level?

Leon Spinks, world champion (albeit briefly) in less than 10 fights. Career basically over in less than 15 fights.

 

I think that back in the days when amateur boxing resembled pro boxing, that was certainly the case.

Pernell Whitaker was probably European class on his debut.

Asians are slightly different, with their various disciplines giving a really good grounding for wannabe pro boxers.

Their punching technique is typically good, likewise their footwork, albeit a tad unorthodox.

The downsides can often be a lack of head movement and a tendency to square up. Pacquiao is someone who definitely did Muay Thai in his youth, the high guard, deliberate head movement and overshooting punches are classic hallmarks of that style IMO.

 

It depends on the style of the amateur also.
There were amateurs recently who looked like they didn't belong in the amateur game.
One recent example I can think of is Oscar Valdez but apparently he just turned pro in the past 2 weeks. He could be fast tracked but because he signed with Top Rank that is not going to happen now.

 

Pacquiao started off with some rudimentary kickboxing experience I believe BB.

But look at Saensak. Beats a top ten ranked fighter ON HIS DEBUT with NO ATTEMPT to tighten up his style, definitely the most blasé attempt at converting that I've seen Just traded on an iron chin and heavy hands.

 

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZVoG0aU5mw[/ame]

Skip to 0.40 you dont see fights or knockouts like that a the most recent Olympic games. I would be an advocate of fighting from 14-18 amateur learnt the basics then having as many pro fights as you can by 21-22 would give you a much better grounding.

 

Some do. Ottke, Tyszu, DLH etc. but it's hard.

 

chavez jr and pacquiao are not examples of guys with minimal pro experience, chavez had atleast 40+ pro fights under his belt when he fought for a world title. its a bull**** comparison same with pacquiao the guy turned pro when he was 16 or something had over 20 fights when he started fighting for titles.

 

Sure IF he's exceptional... but they are the rarer lot!

keep in mind too, the world is full of very good and capable fighters, that never get near the Top, and in many, many cases it's a matter of ownership.

the champion or top contenders are Not Always the best out there, boxing is famous for this, as i'm sure you well know. This is even more true today, with 30 & 40 fight careers, emphasis on an '0' record and NO Way backers & moneymen are going to risk losing their investment.

so yes, IF he was an exceptional fighter, the same as many other right good boys could win a title IF given the opportunity!!!

 

Would have been nice to have seen Felix Savon turn pro, the 90s HW scene may have been even more exciting if he did. Camarelle should have turned pro after the Beijing games which i beleive will have been his peak, may be too late for him now.

 

Bump

 

rigondeaux is a great pro after only 12 fights

 

Interested to see how Lomanchenko does the weekend, talk of him fighting for the world title in his second fight. Can he really do it?

 

Realistically at the bare minimum it'll be 3rd for me

 

why are they talking about him fighting for a world title after only 2 or 3 fights. Sorry, I don't know much about him

 

2 time Olympic gold medallist, 2 time world amateur gold medallist, 396-1-0 in his career and probably the greatest amateur boxer ever. all that with a style that will translate well into the pros.