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When Andre Ward turned professional the other night on HBO it got me thinking about the relationship between the Olympics and professional boxing. Why was this young man’s first professional fight was being televised on HBO when there are countless world champions that haven’t had the opportunity to fight on the network. So I started to think about the Olympics and all of the great American fighters that have came out of the games and how their success at the professional level has made it possible for young amateur champions like Andre Ward to make some money before they even embark on a professional career.
Prior to the 2000 Olympics a number of fighters from five consecutive Olympic teams had tremendous success as professionals. In fact it seemed liked investing in and signing young Olympians was almost a sure thing. From the Montreal games in 76 to the 96 games in Atlanta, American Olympians left an indelible mark on the professional boxing landscape.
In Montreal, Sugar Ray Leonard and Michael Spinks both became two of the fifty greatest fighters in History. Sugar Ray beat Benitez, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler while Spinks became the first and only Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the linear Heavyweight Crown. And in a shocking upset Michael’s brother and teammate, Leon, beat Ali for the Heavyweight title in 1978. Leo Randolph also became one of the world champions from this star-studded group. [details]
Prior to the 2000 Olympics a number of fighters from five consecutive Olympic teams had tremendous success as professionals. In fact it seemed liked investing in and signing young Olympians was almost a sure thing. From the Montreal games in 76 to the 96 games in Atlanta, American Olympians left an indelible mark on the professional boxing landscape.
In Montreal, Sugar Ray Leonard and Michael Spinks both became two of the fifty greatest fighters in History. Sugar Ray beat Benitez, Hearns, Duran, and Hagler while Spinks became the first and only Light-Heavyweight Champion to win the linear Heavyweight Crown. And in a shocking upset Michael’s brother and teammate, Leon, beat Ali for the Heavyweight title in 1978. Leo Randolph also became one of the world champions from this star-studded group. [details]