Lawrence Okolie turning pro?

[NEETzsche]

Terrible decision if true imo.

I dont see him getting much more from the am game, he already has WSB experience, and hes in a great negotiating position with Matchroom and Warren both having good financial backing.

Time isnt on his side like it is with other amateurs.

Maybe he is just cosy in team GB set up. But he could make some big money in the pros even if he doesnt make the top

It's Britain versus France in the WSB on the 24th of February so perhaps we'll see a rematch between him and Yoka, who also seems to be delaying on turning pro?

I just found this article which seems to indicate that Joyce will definitely be turning pro sometime this year though - http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing...y-2017-9436194 - and I've also read Yoka saying he wants to follow in Joshua's footsteps and be a pro champ (wouldn't it be a coup if a British promoter managed to nab him too?)

[Loque-san]

and I've also read Yoka saying he wants to follow in Joshua's footsteps and be a pro champ (wouldn't it be a coup if a British promoter managed to nab him too?)

Yeah good luck with that. Joshua is an exceptional athlete and a natural-born fighter. Yoka looks like a tall guy with a suspect chin who started boxing two or three years ago. Joshua's olympic gold medal is controversial but Yoka's is flat out fraudulent.

[Clegg]

Anyone know how much someone like Joe Joyce makes per year as an amateur?

His style seems more suited to the pros, if his conditioning/stamina is there (might not be) he doesn't look too far off being able to jump into the British HW mix and earn some good money. If you're from a country without much of a domestic scene I can understand staying AM but for the UK guys it surprises me they don't go for a pro run because even falling short of world level you can still have a decent career.

[Madison Boxing]

Depends how you define talent. He isnt quick and a fluid puncher, but his stamina, strength, chin and toughness are great. If he can carry those attributes over to the pro game then he will be exciting if nothing else.

Personally i would expect him to reach at least Euro level

i think joe would go all the way to the top, future world champ. Beat yoka comfortably in that final for me. Wasnt many amateurs in the olympics who impressed me more than joe

[yngwie]

The GB team was kinda disappointing considering their success at London 2012 and that they were the biggest team in Rio, but the success in Rio had much to do with the local verdicts.
While Okolie and Joyce are good, Buatsi is the one to see, he is the only fighter in the Rio games that scored two stoppages and he almost made it three.

[Tom Cruise]

AIBA – European Olympic Qualifier Event... by aiba

Good session here feat. a few team GB fighters including Okolie, Buatsi and Joyce.

Great performances from Joyce and Okolie, while Buatsi went to war with a very tough Ukrainian (won 3-0, but i thought Ukr was unlucky not get at least a round)

Okolie showed what he is about in this bout. Flashes of big talent but also very raw and open at times as well. He really hurt the Azeri a few times though with right hand counters.

Joyce battered the Hungarian from bell to bell and got the stoppage late on.

[Tom Cruise]

The GB team was kinda disappointing considering their success at London 2012 and that they were the biggest team in Rio, but the success in Rio had much to do with the local verdicts.
While Okolie and Joyce are good, Buatsi is the one to see, he is the only fighter in the Rio games that scored two stoppages and he almost made it three.

They had some tough draws iirc, and i think our team was more quantity than quality. Quite a few of our lads went out to top nations early on.