The best professional boxer, who had a very bad amateur career

Dwight Muhammad Qawi. His amateur career was being in jail.

 

Librado Andrade.

Had a good pro career being a contender for years after a 3-13 amateur career while working at a fast food place.

 

I remember someone saying Larry Holmes in the 72 Olympic trials was disqualified for running an not trying against someone called Bobick. Everyone thought he had no heart an that was the end of his amateur career.

 

Marciano

8-4 career amateur record

he was so raw. It’s actually amazing he went undefeated in pros. He could have easily lost any one of those early pro fights in providence before Goldman got his hands on him. He had literally nothing except a roundhouse Suzy Q which he would throw from the floor and knock these tomato cans out. But Rocky was so green even these tomato cans were better than him! When Rocky was 3-0, promoter Sam Silverman brought in 15-0 Eddie Ross to beat and humiliate Marciano because Silverman wanted to stick it to Weill. At this point Marciano hadn’t begun training with Goldman yet. In the Ross fight, Marciano was easily outboxed and then… Suzy Q landed and GOODNIGHT Ross out cold.

 

Didn’t the UK’s Johnny Nelson have a losing record as an amateur?

 

On paper Chris Eubank Sr went 19-7. But fought at a high level vs the likes of Mark Breland!

 

He looked like he was on the verge of being a journeyman for a long time too.

 

He put in the worst performance many have seen against De Leon.

 

What did Hopkins do prior to jail?

 

I forgot about that. Yeah, his amateur career was pretty mediocre. For good reason -- he didn't step into a gym until age 22 or so and had no real support or training. He'd go into the gym after working all day as a delivery driver. Maybe that's instructive. Maybe he (and men like him who later proved themselves), would have had great amateur careers if they'd had the chance -- I can't really imagine better weapons for amateur rules than his jab and his 1-2.

 

Boxing and armed robbery, in that order.

 

Jeff Chandler's entire amateur career was one win by KO and one loss by decision.

 

Guys like Tex Cobb and Dillian Whyte did surprisingly well considering their rough styles and lack of amateur experience/elite talent.