Re: Why does USA amateurs suck at amateurs ? But then shine as a pro ?
because they fight for free in the amateurs... I'm not saying there aren't kids that want o be the best, but there's a difference between wanting to be the best and having the will , the means and the dedications to do something about it.
If you look at the countries that tend to rack up medals in any Olympic sport. They tend to be the countries that are almost militant in discipline. hell in some of the worse countries there's consequences for failure. Being a national athlete is the only way to get your family out of poverty and keep them protected. That keeps an athlete focused.
Still there are other countries that start their athletics programs in the military. (like Russia used to... Their hockey team owned the worlds pros in the 80's. Discipline, practice, and bonding against a common oppressor keeps athletes focused.
The kids we have here aren't getting paid, aren't being broken down and built from the ground up in military environments. Their incentive, one day you're gonna be famous and make a millions... Not "you'll represent your country and bring home the glory so lets see some nationalistic pride". US athletes only try when it counts. National pride, my fellow citizens, lift my nations morale... pffft show me the money...
That's why even if pros join the olympics, it won't mean anything. Flash, smack talking and all that nonsense that goes on in the pros is frowned upon in the olympics. That's why every country in the world hates us. We dont know what humble is. We don't know when to shut up, keep our heads down and keep pushing till all the works done. Where as hard work and humility is the staple of life and survival in many countries. Just my opinion of course, I could be wrong.
Re: Why does USA amateurs suck at amateurs ? But then shine as a pro ?
There not even the same sport when you see how they are scored and how they fight. I mean pro fighting and am are so different when it comes down to how they score points it is night and day. Not to mention if you are a power puncher i file the pro game suits you better.
Re: Why does USA amateurs suck at amateurs ? But then shine as a pro ?
The amateur programme is not what it used to be anymore. Guys that are athletic are taking other sports and end up in college- basketball, football, baseball and other endeavours. Plus, we are seeing the continued ravages of the drug culture in America- it really steals lives away from the poorer and lower middle class folks, the folks that typically make up the boxing elite class.
With that being said, this is a time for US Amateur boxing to make a push and become more relevant. While other programmes have improved- the Eastern Europeans in particular, and for some strange reason South Korea and China are doing better than they once did in previous years in the sport, that does not mean the USA can't improve their lot.
Even Latin American/Caribbean fighters are upping their game. It used to be that Mexico hardly had any talent at the amateur level, let alone Nicaragua, Panama and Columbia. But now, along with Cuba and the Dominican Republic and to some extent Argentina, you have rising stars coming out of all of the aforementioned countries in addition to Jamaica and Trinidad. Fighters from Latin America and The Caribbean used to be few and far between, but now if an American goes up against anyone that has a 60 plus fight win record from that region, odds are even where as back in the late eighties going backward it used to be chalk for America.
They just need to promote the sport to kids again. Tell these soccer moms to shut their yaps and get their kids into a real sport!
Re: Why does USA amateurs suck at amateurs ? But then shine as a pro ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ron Swanson
Quote:
Originally Posted by
J_Undisputed
because they fight for free in the amateurs... I'm not saying there aren't kids that want o be the best, but there's a difference between wanting to be the best and having the will , the means and the dedications to do something about it.
If you look at the countries that tend to rack up medals in any Olympic sport. They tend to be the countries that are almost militant in discipline. hell in some of the worse countries there's consequences for failure. Being a national athlete is the only way to get your family out of poverty and keep them protected. That keeps an athlete focused.
Still there are other countries that start their athletics programs in the military. (like Russia used to... Their hockey team owned the worlds pros in the 80's. Discipline, practice, and bonding against a common oppressor keeps athletes focused.
The kids we have here aren't getting paid, aren't being broken down and built from the ground up in military environments. Their incentive, one day you're gonna be famous and make a millions... Not "you'll represent your country and bring home the glory so lets see some nationalistic pride". US athletes only try when it counts. National pride, my fellow citizens, lift my nations morale... pffft show me the money...
That's why even if pros join the olympics, it won't mean anything. Flash, smack talking and all that nonsense that goes on in the pros is frowned upon in the olympics. That's why every country in the world hates us. We dont know what humble is. We don't know when to shut up, keep our heads down and keep pushing till all the works done. Where as hard work and humility is the staple of life and survival in many countries. Just my opinion of course, I could be wrong.
You should travel. I spend 6 months a year traveling the world and I don't see hate at all. Quite the opposite. It's hard to relax because when people find out you are American everyone wants to talk.
Those that catch hate probably deserve it. I have not one example of one person saying they hate America. Just today I had 3 guys tell me how much they love America. And it happens every day.
As for Amateurs sucking, it's a combination of things. Our gyms teach a pro style, our guys turn pro young, our best turn pro younger, and there simply aren't as many good trainers out there as there used to be.
What I find more curious is the completely different standard African Americans specifically are held to. Look at Crawford. If he beats Postol I guarantee he will move up, again. Because that is what is expected. While others can be rated higher not even fighting the good guys in a shitty division. Same division same crap opponents, but not African American, as long as you keep winning you are great. But if you are African American it's not even close to enough, you MUST challenge yourself. I'm fine with that, but it should apply to all.
Yes he should travel more.
No African Americans arent held to higher standards than other races in boxing! Crawford will move up looking for big money fights. Hes also a monster at 140. Hes not gonna kill himself making weight for much longer.
