Lomachenkos level of competition is awful

[Goldie]

Quite a bit. I've discussed these things at length with people on that side of the world. I didn't just make it up.

Cool story. What you’ve claimed to have discussed with others doesn’t constitute “facts” though.

In order to become a pro boxer you need to pass a physical, apply for a boxing license, and pay the fee.

Not sure if you knew that, but I don't think I really need to say much more.

“similar” doesn’t mean “exactly the same”. Obviously there are some differences in the process of entering all of the pro sports leagues. Entering MLB isn’t the same as going to the NFL or NBA. Entering the NHL is different than becoming a pro golfer and etc. The point was that with all of the major sports, the pro ranks is where the best prove themselves. Boxing is no exception.

I didn't say the best fighters are in the amateurs. I said many, if not most, of the best amateurs don't turn pro, and explained why. Some of them wouldn't or haven't panned out in the pros. Some have or would have. Depends on the individual.

Either way, the Olympics and certain international boxing events are far bigger in other countries than they are in the states. They're considered more prestigious than a pro belt. It's not terribly hard to see why, either. You represent your country against the rest of the planet. There's no cherry picking. No negotiating. No stalling for time. The best fight the best. If you win Gold there's no dispute. It's a much truer system than what has become of pro boxing.

Amateur boxing isn’t as popular here because we have access to a higher level of boxing competition. I suspect that if there were a legitimate pro boxing circuit established where guys from these smaller Eastern European countries could have access to without leaving their home countries and all of the inconveniences and politics that come with that, then pro boxing would be more popular in those places. It’s no coincidence that the most notable well known fighters from those places are the guys who did dare to leave and go pro. Can you name any Ukrainian amateurs as revered as Loma or the Klitschkos? Even with their gold medals, you don’t think that their success in pro boxing has made them even more revered in their home countries?

Whatever you think of his talent is your opinion. You missed my point. I don't care if you consider him a generational talent. We're privileged to watch him as a pro because more often than not the best amateurs choose not to even take that route. He's one of the few in recent times to do so, and he was probably the best of the entire lot. So yeah, I'd say we as fans got lucky to have a guy like him.

It’s not that I didn’t understand your point, it’s that I don’t agree. When you say “the best amateurs don’t usually turn pro” I think you’re ignoring the politics of it all. The best up and coming young fighters from most of the world don’t compete as amateurs for all that long. Once prospects hit their early 20s in places where pro boxing is a thing, they go pro. The only places that have their very best fighters competing as amateurs are places where pro boxing isn’t viable. You’re spinning a lack of opportunity into a sacrifice. The goal isn’t to be the best amateur boxer in the parts of the world that produce the best fighters.

I say that loma is lucky that he made it over here. He’s the one that’s been privileged to get the backing/support to embark on a lucrative pro journey over here. Had he not made it over here it would’ve been his lost.

[Happy Lora]

Bro, you keep saying you get my points, but the things you're writing contradict that. I digress, though. I think we're gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.