Deontay Wilder's amateur accomplishments are underrated

[Pigeons]

Started boxing in 2005 at age 19

2007:
Won the Golden Gloves at age 21
Won the U.S. Nationals at age 21
Participated at the Worlds at age 22

2008:
Defeated Rakhim Chakhkiev in Russia at age 22 (Chakhkiev would win Olympic gold later that year)
Won Bronze at the Olympics at age 22

He packed a lot into a short period of time just 2-3 years after picking up the sport. Very impressive.

[_original_]

That is very impressive.

[Eff Pandas]

Yep. Thats one of the f#cked up things we do here. We dog one guy cuz of this or that. Well sh^t man all these cats we are talking about are top 1%, top 0.5% in the world at this thing we talk about all the time. There aren't really any bums here despite that being a term people love to throw around.

[Idunnoshet]

Yep. Thats one of the f#cked up things we do here. We dog one guy cuz of this or that. Well sh^t man all these cats we are talking about are top 1%, top 0.5% in the world at this thing we talk about all the time. There aren't really any bums here despite that being a term people love to throw around.

Well said ... Respect .

[oscar9992]

Agreed. People who say he has no skills are idiots. You can't acomplish those things without being a good boxer. Especially Olympic Medal speaks it for itself. Very gifted & talented that's for sure.


And honestly, AJ won Olympic Gold only because of hometown decisions... It was a draw against Dytchko in the Semifinal then he arguibly lost to Camarelle in the Final.

[Madison Boxing]

That's cool.but then you lot defend his slow progression as a pro by saying he was a limited amateur? Which is it? Why's it taken 10 years.from that point to fight a tough opponent lol.

[Curt Henning]

wilder has some skills...people tend to overreact to the sloppiness he shows when he thinks he has someone hurt and he can get the kill....alot of the time he shows pretty good stuff...alot of times he takes a real measured approach and seems passive....but is really just waiting for his window

people also need to acknowledge(mostly uk fans)that wilders profile is increasing by the day in the states...hes been picking up a solid buzz over here since before ortiz....yes hes not on AJs level as far as stardom....but if you flip flopped them wilder would be just as big as joshua(provided wilder was a UK olympian medalist)....but his profile is rising with each day

[soul_survivor]

Started boxing in 2005 at age 19

2007:
Won the Golden Gloves at age 21
Won the U.S. Nationals at age 21
Participated at the Worlds at age 22

2008:
Defeated Rakhim Chakhkiev in Russia at age 22 (Chakhkiev would win Olympic gold later that year)
Won Bronze at the Olympics at age 22

He packed a lot into a short period of time just 2-3 years after picking up the sport. Very impressive.

Oh that's good but what has he done as WBC champion in the pro ranks? He has been a belt holder (read:Warmer) and had a 10 year pro career.

Yet AJ in a fraction of the time has unified all but one belt, taken part in a FOTY, possibly decade, become a huge star and beaten better opponents.

Wilder's am career was a life time ago and if his best achievement is still a bronze well then...that says a lot.

[satiev1]

Got koed as an amateur.

[DuckAdonis]

Did he have a different syle back in the ams btw ? Because he doesnt look like the most skilled guy in the pro's....or was he knocking them out through their headguards lol ?