It's been a rough experience for the USA Boxing team in China. There were many hopefuls in all the weight classes but the team only walked away with a bronze medal, making it the worst USA Boxing team in history. In the past, boxers like Cassius Clay, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya, Pernell Whitaker, Evander Holyfield, Michael Spinks, and Mark Breland were born at the Olympics, but that seems to be a thing of the past.
Heavyweight boxer, Deontay Wilder, lost 7-1 in his match against Italian champ Clemente Russo, but was still awarded the bronze medal for making it to the semi-final. Wilder was the only USA boxer to make it to any fight worth a medal.
"To be here and win a medal is great," Wilder told the Associated Press. "I'm not a guy to complain. I'll get back in the gym to work and get better."
Who's to blame? Some say the infrastructure of USA Boxing, other says the system of amateur boxing at the Olympics. At the same time, promoters and managers encourage young fighters to go professional instead of representing the country at the Olympics. An overhaul is being called for, we'll see if it happens in time for the 2012 Olympics in London.
1. i must agree with former champ real deal the atomsphere for young boxers is mnot conducsive to succeed today telling the young guys don"t worry about winning a metal because you still have your pro career on the horizion when don't put it all on the lineto wing get out of the way because you will be ran over by the ones who do
jesus"s kin at 2:33PM on Aug 25th 2008