Fighters are turning pro too late.

Good point! Besides most fighters from the countries of the former soviet union have no clue about pro boxing and the showbusiness world of the usa or western europe.They dont know how to sell themselves to a wider audience.Furthermore most of them neither speak english nor german or any other western european language.

 

Good thread. Recently we were discussing about whether Beterbiev has enough time to cement himself as an ATG at LHW and how him turning pro at 28 didn't maximize his chances

 

Turning pro late is definitely great for the body though. Beterbiev is 37 and still looked great in his last fight.

 

Well not if you're getting punched in the head in all those countless amateur fights

 

For a heavyweight his best years are when he's 30. A little bit later than the lower weight classes. Same scenario: play other sports or have a misspent few years like Jameel mccline or Seth Mitchell, or even Vitali Klitschko as a kick boxer. So turn pro around 25, mess around with smart matchmaking for 5 years and gain experience and fight their ass off and then at 30 try to cash out before someone derails them off the track. Kirk Johnson and Jameel mccline were both around 30 when they were both considered the best of the young heavyweights. Guys at that weight are equally concussive to their opponents as to being scared themselves of getting hit by a big punch. See Michael grant, a cash out before he was 35. Most guys at hw already have the stamina and conditioning of an Elite athlete, as well as the punching power. The only thing they lack after crossing over to boxing is skills, they learn by the minute and also learn on the job.

 

It all depends on their background and how much experience they have before, sure Pac-Man and Canelo turned pro early with limited experience but they are not the norm, pretty much everyone else turn to a journey man without experience.

Early 20’s is probably the best time for most with the right backing, actually, the right backing is the most important for a successful career, regardless of age.

 

Maxim Babanin turned pro aged 33 (beat Fury in the amateurs)
Magomedrasul Majidov turned pro aged 32 (beat Joshua in the amateurs)
Evgeny Romanov turned pro aged 31 (KO'd Wilder in the amateurs)

Far too late.

 

Have to agree with this thread. It feels like these guys go pro one year and are over the hill two years later.

 

Oh what could have been with Beterbiev, especially. If he turns pro early, he is a living legend by now.

 

What a beast!