AIBA Boxing WM 2017 in Hamburg

I finally watched the Dusmatov-Argilagos fight. I thought Dusmatov edged it to be honest, but it's clear Dusmatov was off form this whole tournament. He made mistakes he usually wouldn't make.

We've talked about Iliya Popov before, like I've said before, he's the truth. He's got his own style, doesn't remind me of anybody which is great in my opinion. Oh yeah. I really like the way this kid fights. Hopefully he can get Olympic Gold in 2020. I think he can. As long as he doesn't end up in Andy Cruz's weight class lol. Cruz will be at his peak in 2020. Popov will still be developing but I think he can still beat the top guys in other divisions.

He looks very talented. Nice fluid movement, excellent timing and judgement of range. If he was in the Juniors in 2015 does that mean he's old enough for the seniors now, or might we see him in the Youth Championships next year? His name is Ilya Popov. May be my favorite prospect coming up in the amateur ranks. If everything goes right he'll be competing at the Youth World Championships and Youth Olympics next year. It's difficult to predict things in Russia though. But if everything goes right he'll get Youth World Gold and Youth Olympic Gold and turn it into World Championship Gold and Olympic Gold as a senior. Here is his fight in the final: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5fhIkvZucY&t=24m YouTube changed how to embed their video so I need to figure it out. The guy he is fighting in the finals is a tough Irish kid, Eamer Coughlan. Basically gives everyone hell. Coughlan beat Charles Frankham this year. Frankham is one of the best prospects from England in amateur boxing. Frankham was undefeated at one point and there was several people that thought he could stay that way all of his amateur career, which included winning a Gold at the Olympics. He's obviously not undefeated anymore but very solid prospect.

When you guys have time I need your opinion on this Russian fighter. https://youtu.be/-Hg6lep6sR8?t=19m2s He looks very talented. Nice fluid movement, excellent timing and judgement of range. If he was in the Juniors in 2015 does that mean he's old enough for the seniors now, or might we see him in the Youth Championships next year?

Not the best. Lots of match-ups we've already seen lots of times (e.g. La Cruz vs Ward), some bad decisions (e.g. Giyasov vs McCormack), some of the big names were off form (e.g. Arlen), there weren't that many breakthrough talents and the England team didn't do very well. Ragan, McGrail and Goodall were my favourite new faces, and it was a pleasure watching Andy Cruz Yeah, usually the World Championships right after the Olympics aren't the greatest. We will have to wait until 2019 to see the talent for 2020. The 2018 Youth World Championships and Youth Olympics will also show us some talent. Several fighters were off form. Arlen, Dusmatov, and a few others. Ragan, Goodall, and McGrail should stay until the Olympics I say. Andy Cruz is scary brilliant. I think he can go to 69kg and probably win Gold. Check out the video I posted above when you have time.

49 and 64 were the best division. 52 was the worst division in my opinion. No bad decisions in these finals. Andy Cruz is the best amateur in the world. I think he could go to 69 and he won't be touched. Dusmatov boxed bad this championships, he was reaching a lot in 3 of his last fight and his feet were up in the air. Knijniak is the most improved fighter. Savon finally gets a 1st place in a major tournament. Madjidov is the most legit superheavy of the amateur world in the past 8 years. You can't beat La Cruz going forward in the amateurs. Tishenko is loved by AIBA 91+kg was the worst division in my opinion. 52kg probably a second. I think 49kg was the best division. It also delivered the most fun fights. I really wanted to see Martinez get the Gold. I have to be honest 64kg was disappointing. It had the best boxer of the tournament, but the rest of the boxers were alright. I think Cruz could can also go to 69kg and win. That's the only way he may be challenged, I think. I don't know why Joe Ward thought the same game plan from his previous fights against La Cruz was going to win him the fight. I think Ward fought better than last time, but that's not how you beat La Cruz. I agree Dusmatov's footwork and distance was way off in this tournament. Kept overreaching instead of cutting off the ring. When you can check out the video I posted above.

Thoughts on these Championships? Not the best. Lots of match-ups we've already seen lots of times (e.g. La Cruz vs Ward), some bad decisions (e.g. Giyasov vs McCormack), some of the big names were off form (e.g. Arlen), there weren't that many breakthrough talents and the England team didn't do very well. Ragan, McGrail and Goodall were my favourite new faces, and it was a pleasure watching Andy Cruz

When you guys have time I need your opinion on this Russian fighter. https://youtu.be/-Hg6lep6sR8?t=19m2s

Nothing big coming next year. Only the Youth World Championships and Youth Olympics to look forward to.

Thoughts on these Championships?

Melikuziev has to find his way back down to 75kg.

I'll consider it a robbery if Tishchenko gets a single round on a single card

Savon boxing Tishchenko's head off in the first round. 1-0 Tishchenko

That ended up being a pretty easy fight for Giyasov. I always said Giyasov is not a bad fighter but it sucks that they robbed McCormack.

The Uzbek looks better...

I hate to say it but I think Giyasov won that first round.

I agree with Cruz being the best amateur fighter in the World. He has taken the title away from Dusmatov and La Cruz. I hope none of my favorite prospects coming up end up in his weight class lol.

I'm not a huge fan of how those medals look.

Andy Cruz is the current AIBA P4P #1 for sure beautiful stuff.....................

Andy Cruz is the current AIBA P4P #1 for sure