what would it take to change olympic boxing?

[RA-Box]

Dude, in the amateurs they are quick to stop the fight. Guys typically don't take a ton of punishment even without the headgear.

Haha, I feel what you're saying man. It definitely helps boxer recognition. I'll give you that. But can you imagine, getting socked by someone like Felix Savon? I can understand an unpaid fighter asking for headgear.

[CubanGuyNYC]

they just need a good exciting american teem forus americans to get pumped about it.

As Natas pointed out in the beginning of the thread, Olympic boxing has been watered down. That's partly why Americans (both fighters and fans) aren't as interested anymore. The last impressive U.S.A. squad was the 1988 team.

I daresay that the more talented, young Americans now prefer to go pro early. It worked for Mike Tyson. He didn't make the 1984 team, but went on to tremendous fame and fortune. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. won a bronze in '96. He's one of the two biggest draws in boxing today. The allure of the gold medal is still there; it's just not as compelling as it once was.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Dude, in the amateurs they are quick to stop the fight. Guys typically don't take a ton of punishment even without the headgear.

This is absolutely true.

Let me add a few things about headgear. It essentially protects against cuts, bruises and abrasions...superficial injuries. It does not protect against the concussive effects of punches. The brain still sloshes around violently inside the skull after a blow. Besides, the opponent's main target is the unprotected part of the head. IMO, headgear was introduced mainly to quiet critics of amateur boxing. It worked.

[ИATAS]

Haha, I feel what you're saying man. It definitely helps boxer recognition. I'll give you that. But can you imagine, getting socked by someone like Felix Savon? I can understand an unpaid fighter asking for headgear.

Leonard, Hearns, Duran, Ali, Roy Jones, Spinks, etc etc etc seemed to be just fine after their amateur and olympic careers with no headgear. And like Cu****uyNYC pointed out, the headgear is mostly for cuts and whatnot.

Go to 2:50


You can see Bute still got KTFO by a shot to the face lol.

[The Gambler1981]

I would have the boxers dips their glove in a mixture of resin and glass and I would replace the ref with a lion, yea a lion ref would be cool..

That is about what it would take to get people interested in amateur boxing again, because just going back to regular boxing is probably not enough at this point.