Boxing News : Adams : Amateur Boxing: Whoxs Next?

Amateur Boxing: Who’s Next?
By Brian Adams (January 17, 2003)

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Amateur boxing is one of the most ignored sports in the world. Yet every four years there is a tournament called the Olympics that garners worldwide attention. And for good reason, because people sometimes forget that some of the finest boxers to ever put on a pair of gloves have graduated from the Olympic program.

In 1968, a smiling heavyweight named George Foreman proudly displayed the American flag along with his gold medal. In 1976, we were introduced to the Spinks brothers (Leon and Michael) as well as the Sugar man, Ray Leonard. In 1984, some future hall of famers left Los Angeles with gold medals, when Mark Breland, Evander Holyfield, Virgil Hill and Pernell Whitaker all broke out. In the 1988 tournament, Lennox Lewis, Michael Carbajal and the very talented Roy Jones Jr. stepped up to win medals, and Oscar De La Hoya, Chris Byrd and Tim Austin all began their successful careers in the 1992 Barcelona games.

Amateur boxing then began to slip from the public view until one big right hand in 1996 by David Reid brought some excitement back into the sport. Today we have two fine products of the 2000 Olympic games named Brian Viloria and the future of the middleweight division, Jermain Taylor.

Time moves quickly though, and it has already been four years now since the 2000 Sydney Olympics - time for the world to take notice of some possible future greats.

First things first, though. In order for a boxer to make the Olympic team in the United States he must go through a rigorous, grueling schedule. There have been some minor changes over the years, but it is pretty much the same format. There are seven separate qualifying tournaments and eight positions to fill in each weight class to qualify for a spot at the Olympic Trials. These are the champions from: The 2003 U.S. Challenge, the 2003 National Golden Gloves, 2003 National PAL, 2003 Armed Forces Championships, 2004 Everlast U.S. Championships (top two qualify), 2004 Eastern Trials and the 2004 Western Trials. The winners from each tournament should be viewed as special because it is not easy to win in an Olympic year, when every athlete is hungry to make the Olympic team.

Here are some fighters to watch:

Rayonta Whitfield of Augusta GA looks ready to be the next U.S. 106lb representative at the Olympic games in Athens Greece. Whitfield has competed in the Everlast U.S. Championships the past couple of years, and although he came up short in the past, he is determined to become the 2004 national Champion.

At 119lbs, Roberto Benitez is no stranger to tough competition, both domestically and internationally. To be considered a medal prospect at the Olympics, a boxer must have certain qualifications behind him, such as experience, which is a key factor when facing the likes of the Germans, Russians and the Cubans. In 1988, a young bantamweight boxer from Tennessee named Kennedy McKinney would dominate his foes en route to a gold medal victory. Benitez has a strong background and experience as well. He has won the Everlast U.S. championships, the national golden gloves and several dual meets. Benitez has also participated in the 2000 Olympic trials and box-offs. Having done that, his knowledge should and can enable him to join 10 others in Athens Greece.

Lamont Peterson is a junior welterweight from Washington D.C. who will try to follow his Olympic dreams. There is a young man from Oakland, California by the name of Andre Ward who started the year off at the number two spot but is more than ready to claim not only the top spot but also an Olympic medal. These young men along with guys like Andre Berto, Juan McPherson, Andre Dirrell, and Jason Estrada could quite possibly sneak into the hearts of the American public this coming summer. But don’t be surprised if the 112lb. bout turns out to be a story to remember. Raul Martinez of San Antonio and Ron Siler of Cincinnati Ohio are the best of friends and it just so happens that they are in the same weight class. They should bring out the best in each other, which should make for an all-out exciting friendly war. Some others such as Devin Vargas, Rock Allen, Samson Guillermo, and Karl Dargan could turn out to be sleepers.

I think it’s safe to say that it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with these guys because the future of boxing is coming soon.