AIBA Youth World Championships 2016

The Cuban system is good, but it should get renovated, all of their Rio fighters have proven their limits, there is plenty of talent in the young Cubans, Andy Cruz, Kevin Brown, Armando Martinez, etc... Ukraine disappointed in Rio, but it should be considered that their whole squad turned pro after London 2012, so they were kinda inexperienced. Uzbekistan is becoming a great nation for boxing, but some of their top fighters are really lucky in both the draws and the decisions. Kazakhstan is the country to look at, sadly they didn't performed as good as they did in 2013 (it was impossible). GB has a great system that threats their athletes really well, but it's clear that the best boxers of GB are pros. I think the Cuban system is good too. There's been a few people complaining about it recently though. You may be correct, it may just need to be renovated. The problem is that most of the squad of 2016 is pretty young and they had a good amount of success. Most of them will comeback for 2020. I think only Veitia and Toledo get replaced. I don't think Toledo did bad at all at the Olympics, I mean he beat a really good fighter in Pat McCormack and lost to Sotomayor. Both fights were competitive. Even if it was against top caliber opposition I just don't see the Cuban Federation accepting it. La Cruz, Ramirez, and Lopez will be back for sure. I'm not sure about Alvarez. Argilagos was the youngest member. He'll be back. No shame in losing to someone as good as Yuberjen Martinez. I believe the 2016 Cuban National (Playa Giron) just ended. I still don't know the full results and who competed and who didn't. Andy Cruz won 64kg so he'll probably replace Toledo. I'm not sure if Ramirez competed but if he did, then he didn't win. Javier Ibanez won 56kg. I'm personally not really impressed with Ibanez. I also don't know if Alvarez competed but if he did, then he didn't win. Armando Martinez won at 60kg. Roniel Iglesias won at 69kg. I curious to see if he will be replaced. He arguably won his Olympic fight. I had him winning but I don't think it was a robbery like others were saying. I can't wait to get full detail for the Cuban Nationals. Ukraine is doing good at Junior/Youth level but the talent is not developing properly. And a lot of the Youth are brawlers more than anything. GB has a nice system going on. Their 2020 Olympic team will be a good one. They have a lot of good talent between 56-64kg. Pat McCormack said he wants to stay amateur because he wants to experience the Olympics with his brother. I wish he would go pro but I guess I understand where he's coming from. Uzbekistan should bring back Dusmatov, Zoirov, and Melikuziev. Dusmatov and Zoirov had tough draws, especially Zoirov. I think all three will medal in 2020. Kazakhstan's system is a great one. They develop talent the right way. And I think it will only get better. Russia and Ukraine have to start taking notes. Russia really struggles with improving the young talent. That's why I'm worried about some of these young fighters coming up.

I was thinking about it and I'm actually glad that Castro got the decision over Piskunov. I like Piskunov but Russia has better talent coming up around his weight class. I was worried that they would favor Piskunov over some of those guys. Hopefully this makes the corrupt Russian system wake up a little and give their real talent the opportunities. This was not a great tournament for Russia. I like Piskunov but there is better talent coming up around the same weight class. Russia should pay more attention to fighters like Ilya Popov, Nikita Golovkin, and Nikolai Marinichev. All three fight near Piskunov weight class and IMO they have more potential. They should learn from the Kazakhstan system. That system is extremely organized. Kazakhstan is only going to keep getting better and better. I thought the Cuban system was organized but some people have been complaining about it recently, so I guess not. Uzbekistan is getting up there. GB as well. Russia and Ukraine have a lot of talent but can they get their act together is the question.

I downloaded the fights, but i doubt i will see the rest of the tournament, should i watch the rest of the fights?, are some specific fights good enough to download them?. Akhmedov's quarter- and semi-final bouts are worth watching, as he showed a different look in each of them (plus the semi-final bout was very fun and Akbar gave a good account of himself too). Erdemir and Tsutsumi performed better in the semis than they did in the finals. Castro-Piskunov, Abdurasulov-Zeng and Mirzarakhimov-Ekinci were iffy decisions IMO and might be worth making your own mind up on. Hutchison, Pero and Nurmaganbet performed well throughout the tournament. Grinan-Price was an entertaining scrap

Well he definitely gave the most dominant performance in the finals, but then I didn't rate his Ukrainian opponent that much Would've given it to Hutchison myself, but maybe I'm biased for the Brit I thought the Light-Heavyweight division was one of the weaker divisions. I even mentioned it here. I wouldn't have minded Hutchison. I like what I saw from him throughout the tournament. And the Middleweight division was the most impressive in my opinion. Hutchison, Akhmedov, Erdemir, or Pero would have my top guys. Pero did have two close fights so maybe that would hurt him. He did beat a good Russian in Russia cleanly. Never mind. I think they should have given it to the amazingly talented Marc Castro. Nobody is as skilled as that guy. No but for real. I hope Castro takes Gold in Tokyo. I'm interested in seeing people's reaction. As long as he doesn't end up in the same weight class as one of my favorites. Someone that I'm high on like Ilya Popov. I'm not too mad with Morrell though. Like I said, it really doesn't matter who gets it. It's just more a fun thing to know. Unfortunately for Morrell he has to get past Julio La Cruz if he wants any chance of representing Cuba at the Olympics. Or he'll have to move down or up.

Apparently Morrell was the boxer of the tournament. Not sure how I feel about that. I would need to re-watch some of his fights. Not that it matters a whole lot. I was just curious to see who got it. Well he definitely gave the most dominant performance in the finals, but then I didn't rate his Ukrainian opponent that much Would've given it to Hutchison myself, but maybe I'm biased for the Brit

I didn't hear anything about that Hutchison, Pero, Erdemir, Akhmedov and Tsutsumi have some star potential IMO Uzunian, Akbar, Nurmaganbet, Ekinci and Zeng all looked good to me too despite not winning gold Apparently Morrell was the boxer of the tournament. Not sure how I feel about that. I would need to re-watch some of his fights. Not that it matters a whole lot. I was just curious to see who got it.

I just saw Marc Castro vs Nikita fight. This kid Castro is not good technically at all. How he got the decision I would never know but this kid's skills are average. LOL. People are attacking me for criticizing Castro. Am I supposed to lie and say he's an amazing talent? I did say some messed up things though. I'm not going to try and deny that. Piskunov basically took Castro out of his game. I don't see how Castro got the decision either. People have tried out-boxing Castro on the back foot. Hasn't worked. And now Piskunov pushes him backward and still doesn't work. Marc Castro is truly unbeatable. Ha. Here is the Pero final by the way. Remember, Pero just turned 17 last month. Still has things to learn like every other boxer. For example, sometimes he would throw lazy punches and get countered. He's the first Cuban in a while to win both the World Junior Championships and World Youth Championships.

Did they mention who won Boxer of the tournament? I didn't hear anything about that Sadly i missed the tournament, who was the most impressive boxer? The 2014 tournament was fun, it had Shakur, Melekuziev, Finol, etc... Hutchison, Pero, Erdemir, Akhmedov and Tsutsumi have some star potential IMO Uzunian, Akbar, Nurmaganbet, Ekinci and Zeng all looked good to me too despite not winning gold

LOL People are attacking me for going in on Castro. I did say some harsh things about the kid that I shouldn't have said. It was wrong of me to do that. Castro won me over. Hopefully he goes on to win Olympic Gold. As long as he is not in the same division Ilya Popov competes in, because I want to see Popov win Gold in 2020 as well. He'll bring excitement and great laughs, if you know what I mean, to the boxing world.

I just rewatched Marc Castro's semifinal bout and LOL. That's all I have to say. I wonder if someone wants him to succeed so bad so people can watch him and have a good laugh. If Castro goes on to win Gold in Tokyo. Even if he doesn't win Gold but takes a medal Castro will be one of the most successful US Amateur boxers EVER. He already has more than 10 national titles if I'm not mistaken. He won his semifinal bout. No gift or anything.

Did they mention who won Boxer of the tournament?

So what's the next major tourney? The senior world champs next September? Or maybe season 7 of the WSB will start before then?

Like you, I thought Piskunov beat Castro in the quarters (I had it 2-1), but other than that I thought he fought well. His style is not textbook but he has something about him I think the best fighters from this tournament are: Hutchison, Pero, Erdemir, Akhmedov and Tsutsumi I totally agree with that list. I forgot about Erdemir. Like Pero, he impressed me at the Junior World Championships last year. Maybe my hate blinds me from Castro. His technique is awful lol.

Some of the Russian fighters were unlucky to not get some decisions. I would say that for the most part scoring was fair. I always thought the Russian Junior team was better, so hopefully this makes them better for the 2018 World Youth Championships. Johnson and Castro aren't anything special imo. Like you, I thought Piskunov beat Castro in the quarters (I had it 2-1), but other than that I thought he fought well. His style is not textbook but he has something about him. Johnson on the other hand is basically mediocre I think the best fighters from this tournament are: Hutchison, Pero, Erdemir, Akhmedov and Tsutsumi

And Huni wins gold for Australia at Super Heavy

Russian scoring is generally pretty fair, isn't it? I thought Johnson was definitely fortunate to get gold. Castro impressed me more than he did Some of the Russian fighters were unlucky to not get some decisions. I would say that for the most part scoring was fair. I always thought the Russian Junior team was better, so hopefully this makes them better for the 2018 World Youth Championships. Johnson and Castro aren't anything special imo.

Good thing we are not getting fat lazy Super Heavyweights for this final.

Tsutsumi isn't bad either. He'll be the guy Japan hypes up for the 2020 Olympics. I'm telling you. Expect Gold for Tsutsumi. I feel bad for anyone that ends up in his weight class lol.

The USA always claims robberies when USA boxers lose, well this team was very lucky to get some decisions. I bet we won't hear people complaining about that though. Funny. Russia being the host nation actually got screwed out of a few decisions. I have a feeling AIBA wanted to make them pay for Rio. Something must've happened. Russian scoring is generally pretty fair, isn't it? I thought Johnson was definitely fortunate to get gold. Castro impressed me more than he did

Dainier Pero is a real talent. Uzunian is not bad either. These Championships have been quite disappointing. Only Pero and Akhmedov really stood out in the medal rounds. Oh, as did the Middleweights. I'm actually glad Hutchison won.