What are your thoughts on Anthony Joshua?

[bradlee180]

Many Olympic Gold medalists have done well in the pros (Muhammed Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko) although a few have not (Audrey Harrison).

I wonder how Anthony Joshua will do?

England gold medalist Anthony Joshua turning pro - ESPN

I've never seen him, but goin' by you fellas, Anthony Joshua sounds like a very solid prospect.

Something to bear in mind though: When Frazier, Foreman, and Muhammad Ali (Gold at Light-Heavyweight) were in the Olympics, there wasn't much difference between Amateur and Professional boxing as there is now. They fought with no headgear, and many amateurs fighters were goin' out there lookin' for the KO.

After the amateur judging system was changed, and a pesky jab or a punishing left-hook now counted just the same on points, guys began slap-boxing. It became so different from pro boxing, and amateur boxing became a game of who can touch who faster and for more times. They'd skedaddle around at a high pace for the short amateur duration, slapping at each other with the sole goal of wining on points, and many teenagers now spend 5 years or more in the amateurs and come out not knowing how to throw a REAL punch with the body-weight behind it, thrown with bad intentions. A fighter should know how to really punch with the body-weight, for $#!t's sake! It's why a KO puncher like Mike Tyson didn't make the Olympics, because while he was chasing guys trying to land the big KO shot, these slap-boxers would slap-and-run, piling up points, knowing they could keep up the pace for 3 or 4 rds, but that $#!t would never work in the pros. You'll run out of gas.

It's so different that Emmanuel Stewart and Teddy Atlas both said pursuing Amateur boxing wasn't really necessary nor advisable anymore. They said the amateurs used to be a good place to learn and develop, but now it's not because the whole amateur system is not beneficial to developing a good pro fighter as they pick up bad habits. Stewart said Malignaggi would punch without ever closing his hands into proper fists. And the Olympic Gold Medal used to be a good marketing tool, but if a guy can really fight, he'll catch on regardless. Many of the best fighters are from Mexico (or that certain guy from the Philippines), and under abject poverty, they weren't gonna f*<k around for 5 years in the amateurs fightin' for free, so they turn pro at 15 and start fightin' grown men for money. It's the hard road with early losses, but the end result is a man of tempered steel that can really fight.

And where are the Great fight-teachers now? How many are left alive to teach?
Roach is one. We've lost several in recent years.

Holmes was one of the Great Heavyweight Champions, Top 5 Heavyweights of All-Time, but he was not an Olympian.

[Britkid]

A British Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion, what is not to like? What can possible wrong?

He clearly had something in the Olympics. As well as skill and presence, he also perhaps had the most important thing... Luck!

If he has got any sense, he needs to have nothing to do with the Internet for the moment, find a top quality trainer, 'knuckle down' and 'learn the business' for the next couple of years. Then we might seriously be able to start judging him.

[Cressa121]

A British Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion, what is not to like? What can possible wrong?

He clearly had something in the Olympics. As well as skill and presence, he also perhaps had the most important thing... Luck!

If he has got any sense, he needs to have nothing to do with the Internet for the moment, find a top quality trainer, 'knuckle down' and 'learn the business' for the next couple of years. Then we might seriously be able to start judging him.

Rumour is he's going to be trained by Tony Simms.

Joshua's only been boxing what, 4/5 years? And he's won a silver at the World's and Olympic gold (yes I know Savon beat him but he looked handy in his fights after that). That's pretty fucking impressive. Good luck to him, here's hoping he do well for himself.

[bradlee180]

Who are some current top fight coaches? Guys that can really polish a fighter, refine a guy further?

Freddie Roach.
Nacho Bernstein.
Joe Goosen.
Jese Reid.
Mike McCallum.
Fritz Sdunek.
Brother Nazim Richardson.

Buddy McGirt.

Roger Bloodworth.
Robert Garcia.
Virgil Hunter.
Ron Lipton.
Old Floyd Sr is not one of them. Who'd he ever develop other than one guy?
I don't think Atlas and Booth and Anber make the 1st tier.

In recent years, we've lost George Benton, Bouie Fisher, Emanuel Stewart, Gil Clancy, Al Gavin, Chuck Bodak, Angelo Dundee. Eddie Futch over 10 years ago.

Can you think of anyone else? I'm sure I missed a few.

[AdamGB]

He's a novice, what would he want with a guy like McGirt etc, he needs somebody to solidify the basics and develop him from there. All most of these big name trainers are good for is refining or restyling an already developed pro.

[ryanman]

I'd like to see him with Rob McCracken but that's unlikely.

[Dia bando]

Big strong robotic, has a lot to learn but good luck to him hope he learns his trade slowly,
don't think he needs, pushing to fast he may be Olympic Champion but I feel he is still
a novice.

[Fenster]

A British Olympic Super Heavyweight Champion, what is not to like? What can possible wrong?

He clearly had something in the Olympics. As well as skill and presence, he also perhaps had the most important thing... Luck!

If he has got any sense, he needs to have nothing to do with the Internet for the moment, find a top quality trainer, 'knuckle down' and 'learn the business' for the next couple of years. Then we might seriously be able to start judging him.

Unfortunately that is virtually impossible for him.

When you start your career as a headliner at the 02 you can't expect to spend a couple of years under the radar.

[Master]

Joshua seems articulate and level headed, hope he goes all the way like Lennox.