Credit to boxrec.com for this and I poster named Emile. One of the better previews I've seen:
<TABLE cellSpacing=5 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Since we know the complete field, it might be fun to make some early predictions. There are obviously many people on this board who know much more about amateur boxing than I do, but I will nonetheless offer my thoughts first. At least I've seen most of the top boxers in person this cycle. Please feel free to add your own thoughts or criticize mine.
48kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Zou Shiming (China) 2) David Ayrapetyan (Russia), 3) Birzhan Zhakypov (Kazakhstan)
Zou will be the overwhelming favorite to win gold, unless he cracks under the immense pressure he is being put under. But even after Zou, this is a pretty competitive weight class with a nice mix of good old and young fighters from every continent. Zou is the only returning Athens Quarterfinalist, but Ayrapetyan won the 2006 European title and won the first European Qualifier in Italy easily after being beaten by Zou early in Chicago. The third spot is tough, but I'm going with Zhakypov, who scored more on Zou in Chicago than anyone else, and won the 1st Asian Qualifier in Thailand. Harry Tanamor, the only representative from the Philippines, won the silver in Chicago, but is an old and dull super-tactical fighter. There are a number of young fighters in the field, who could emerge as surprises.
Favorite Sleeper - Nordine Oubaali (France)
Oubaali probably isn't much of a sleeper - he might be my fourth-rated fighter in the group. But in a group with several veteran, tactical fighters, he's all aggression and is great to watch, and is only 21. He blew out De La Nieve and Chigayev in Chicago, and was outclassed by Zou, but mostly because he kept coming forward even after he had fallen behind.
51kg
Weight-Class Rating - 5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Rau'Shee Warren (USA) 2) Georgi Balakshin (Russia), 3) Samir Mammadov (Azerbaijan)
This weight class has a little of everything - multiple world champions, multiple Olympic veterans, multiple young stars. Warren should be the big favorite, but this is a deep, deep division. Balakshin and Warren have had a good rivalry for several years now. Lee Ok-Sung of South Korea won the 2005 World Championship, but has not been very active since then. Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand won the 2003 World Championships and made it to the final in Chicago. Samir Mammadov and McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico are exciting fighters who had a great match in Chicago, and Mammadov is only 20. Khalid Yafai looks like a future star for the UK and is still 18. And I haven't even mentioned aging veterans Jerome Thomas of France and Tulashboy Doniyarov of Uzbekistan who fought in the Quarterfinals in Athens in 2004, or aging Cuban Andry Laffita, who won a silver at the 2005 World Championships. Did I mention this division was deep?
Favorite Sleeper - Anvar Yunusov (Tajikistan)
Yunusov is only 21, and made a good account for himself in Chicago, picking up two wins before losing a good fight with Mammadov. He then went to the first Asian Qualifier in Thailand and rolled over a very tough field, including Lee Ok-Sung in the final.
54kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Sergey Vodopyanov (Russia) 2) Enkhbat Badar-Uugan (Mongolia), 3) Gary Russell (USA)
This division lacks the firepower and depth of the other small weight-classes. Vodopyanov is the youngest member of the Russian team at just 21, but was not that dominant in winning gold in Chicago. Badar-Uugan took the silver, but it was a lackluster field - and Cuba's entry Yankiel Leon does not have enough of a track record to rate him highly. Russell is young and talented, but inconsistent and occasionally passive. Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand and Rustam Rahimov are the returning Olympic Quarterfinalists from Athens, but Petchkoom has been inconsistent and Rahimov is getting very old. The saving grace of this class is the youthfulness of some of the better fighters that could emerge.
Favorite Sleepers - Akhil Kumar (India), Luke Boyd (Australia)
Kumar and Boyd might be two of those emergent talents, and appear to be the best boxers from their respective countries. Kumar, 27, missed Chicago with injury, but then went to Thailand and outclassed every opponent until he beat Petchkoom in the final on points. Boyd is only 21, and gave Vodopyanov a decent fight after being drawn against him in his first fight in Chicago.
57kg
Weight-Class Rating - 4.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Albert Selimov (Russia) 2) Vasyl Lomachenko (Ukraine), 3) Li Yang (China)
This division is top heavy without the depth of 51kg, but has some amazing talents that should go far unless they are all drawn against each other early. Selimov is only 22 and destroys all stereotypes about robotic European fighters with an incredibly effective and stylish southpaw attack. Lomachenko is one of the most exciting young fighters in the world - just 20 and willing to attack. The next group includes Li Yang, who barely lost to Lomachenko in Chicago - the home ring advantage should help him, but he is terrible to watch. Also Idel Torriente is only 21 and could emerge and Raynell Williams of the USA is terrific and only 19, but is a clear step behind the top two. Bahodirjon Sultanov of Uzbekistan and Galib Jafarov of Kazakhstan could also squeak in for medals - Sultanov gave Selimov a decent fight in Chicago and Jafarov made the Quarterfinals in Athens but is getting old.
Favorite Sleeper - None
Just don't see any exciting young names here, other than the favorites.
60kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Yordenis Ugas (Cuba) 2) Frankie Gavin (Great Britain), 3) Alexey Tishchenko (Russia)
This weight has a very closely contested group at the top, but perhaps not as much depth as the other similar weights. Gavin upset Tishchenko in Chicago, and has to be rated above the 2004 Olympic 57kg champion, although some see it as a one-off result. Both fighters are very technical, and less exciting than the top guys at 57kg. The 2005 World Champion Ugas may bring more excitement, but clearly the draw may end up being the separating factor between these three. The lanky and frustrating Kim Song-Guk of North Korea and solid Italian Domenico Valentino are probably next on the list, but are not inspiring. Valentino and Baik Jong-Sub of South Korea are the only returning Quarterfinalists from Athens at this weight, which was one of the best weights to watch in 2004.
Favorite Sleeper - Onur Sipal (Turkey)
Sipal became a favorite at Chicago, where his fearless style was eye-pleasing, most of all when he stopped Uzbek Bekzod Khidirov with his power punching. Gavin was too technical and savvy for his come-forward style, but Sipal has already accomplished a lot at the age of 19, and could turn out to be a great pro.
64kg
Weight-Class Rating - 4 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Serik Sapiyev (Kazakhstan) 2) Manus Boonjumnong (Thailand), 3) Rosniel Iglesias (Cuba)
This class probably doesn't have the strength at the top of some others, but it is has a lot of interesting stories and a deep crop of possible medalists. The two-time World Champion Sapiyev was never really tested in Chicago, winning easily with very smooth, if not that exciting, skills. Boonjumnong won the 2004 Gold, but is famously undisciplined and wildly inconsistent. Iglesias is a 2006 Junior World Champion, and could be one of the new Cuban stars to come out of Beijing. In fact, three of the four medalists from 2004 are returning, with Boris Georgiev of Bulgaria and Ionut Gheorghe of Romania in the field, although neither showed great form in Chicago. And there are some interesting young fighters from a number of other big-media countries.
Favorite Sleeper - Maimaitituersun Qiong (China)
Qiong is the youngest member of the Chinese team at 19, and could be their next star after Zou. He only went down in Chicago by two points to Georgiev and then qualified easily in Thailand (although losing to Boonjumnong in the final). Best of all, he has a more aggressive style than a lot of his Chinese teammates.
69kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Demetrius Andrade (USA) 2) Magomed Nurudinov (Belarus), 3) Kim Jung-Joo (South Korea)
A very disappointing weight, with by far the worst Russian in the field and an unproven Cuban. The saving grace may be the small group of young potential stars. Andrade was quite dominant in Chicago, but against a limited field, and it's very hard to know who to pick after him. Non Boonjumnong of Thailand finished second in Chicago, but did not have any amazing wins. Nurudinov gets my #2 place, despite his early loss in Chicago. He is a mean, nasty fighter, but could not get to Andrade. But he then went to Italy and demolished the competition at the first European Qualifier. Kim gets the nod at #3 because of his bronze in Athens. He didn't participate in Chicago, but qualified easily in Thailand. The rest of the field is pretty uninspiring or unproven, the latter certainly describing Cuban Carlos Banteaux. Hanati Silamu of China should be good enough to take advantage of being at home.
Favorite Sleeper - Billy Joe Saunders (Great Britain)
Saunders, an 18-year-old English gypsy, seems to be on a track to peak at the games much like Amir Khan did in 2004. He wasn't selected for Chicago, but was on a reported 49-fight winning streak, including beating Banteux in a tournament in Bulgaria, before he narrowly lost to Oleksandr Stretskyy in the first European Qualifier in Italy. He is the kind of story that can really light up the games, and this mostly dismal weight class.
75kg
Weight-Class Rating - 5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Matvey Korobov (Russia) 2) Emilio Correa (Cuba), 3) Alfonso Blanco (Venezuela)
It doesn't get much better this - a deep, and very young group of fighters led by a transcendent star in Korobov. I have birthdates for all but one fighter in this class, and the oldest is 29-year-old Mohammed Hikal of Egypt. Most of the group are 25 or under. This group is so solid that the defending Val Barker Award winner from 2004, Bakhitayar Artayev of Kazakhstan, didn't even make my top three. Korobov should boss his way to gold and make a lot of fans with his style, but there will be a lot of interesting fights and a knife-fight for silver and bronze. Also to watch - Sergey Derevyanchenko of the Ukraine and Elshod Rasulov, a talented young Uzbek who got caught with a huge punch in Chicago.
Favorite Sleeper - Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)
Gongora is the youngest fighter in this field, at just 19, and already has rolled up some impressive results. He beat Blanco easily at the 2007 Pan Am Games before losing to Correa, and was outclassed by Korobov in Chicago, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Ecuadorean boxing seems to be on the rise, and this kid is an exciting prospect with a pleasing style.
81kg
Weight-Class Rating - 1 Star (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Abbos Atoev (Uzbekistan) 2) Artur Beterbiev (Russia), 3) Yerkebuian Shynaliyev (Kazakhstan)
There are some young guys at the top of this group, but overall it is not going to be a weight with many likely thrills. Atoev, the surprise winner in Chicago, and Shynaliyev are very similar. Both are rough, aggressive, short southpaws in their early 20's. Beterbiev, and many of the other Europeans here, are more in line with the stiff, technical stereotype. With no Cuban or American, the field from the Americas is unproven and this weight is too big for most of Asia. Perhaps 23-year-old Ismayl Sillakh, a Ukrainian with an African father, will put it together and challenge.
Favorite Sleeper - Djakhon Kurbanov (Tajikistan)
Not really a sleeper as much as just another solid fighter who might medal. The 22-year-old Tajik was DQ'd in Chicago with seven seconds left of a fight he was winning against Shynaliyev. He also won the 2006 Asian Games gold and rolled through the Thailand qualifier.
91kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Clemente Russo (Italy) 2) Rakhim Chakhiev (Russia), 3) Osmay Acosta (Cuba)
Sadly, not too much excitement here. Russo is charismatic, but fights with his feet, Chakhiev is an old-school strongman without silky skills, and Acosta is young but inconsistent in his career so far. After those three there isn't that much more to look forward to either - John M'Bumba of France was exciting in Chicago before falling to Chakhiev and China's Yushan Nijiati will have the crowd behind him.
Favorite Sleeper - Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine)
Usyk is an interesting character, because he won a bronze medal in the European Championships just two years ago as a Middleweight. He replaced Poyatsika after Chicago, and won four tough bouts fairly easily in Italy to qualify. It will be interesting to see if he brings some nice skills up with him to the heavyweights.
91+kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Islam Timurziev (Russia) 2) Roberto Cammarelle (Italy), 3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (Ukraine)
The big men should be pretty good to watch this time, thanks to some giants and experienced returners. Timurziev didn't show to fight the Olympic veteran Cammarelle in Chicago, with appendicitis apparently, but his myriad health problems seem to be behind him for now. Glazkov is not that exciting, but did very well in Chicago, including a stoppage win over Olympic veteran Jaroslav Jaksto. Beyond those three you have 6-8 Chinese giant Zhang Zhilei, 6-7 Brit David Price, dangerous Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev, and the young Cuban Robert Alfonso. I expect this to be a lot more fun than some may think, despite the supposed downturn in heavies and no American being involved. Expect some KOs.
Favorite Sleeper - None
There doesn't appear to be anyone outside of the favorites who can challenge at this weight.
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<TABLE cellSpacing=5 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Since we know the complete field, it might be fun to make some early predictions. There are obviously many people on this board who know much more about amateur boxing than I do, but I will nonetheless offer my thoughts first. At least I've seen most of the top boxers in person this cycle. Please feel free to add your own thoughts or criticize mine.
48kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Zou Shiming (China) 2) David Ayrapetyan (Russia), 3) Birzhan Zhakypov (Kazakhstan)
Zou will be the overwhelming favorite to win gold, unless he cracks under the immense pressure he is being put under. But even after Zou, this is a pretty competitive weight class with a nice mix of good old and young fighters from every continent. Zou is the only returning Athens Quarterfinalist, but Ayrapetyan won the 2006 European title and won the first European Qualifier in Italy easily after being beaten by Zou early in Chicago. The third spot is tough, but I'm going with Zhakypov, who scored more on Zou in Chicago than anyone else, and won the 1st Asian Qualifier in Thailand. Harry Tanamor, the only representative from the Philippines, won the silver in Chicago, but is an old and dull super-tactical fighter. There are a number of young fighters in the field, who could emerge as surprises.
Favorite Sleeper - Nordine Oubaali (France)
Oubaali probably isn't much of a sleeper - he might be my fourth-rated fighter in the group. But in a group with several veteran, tactical fighters, he's all aggression and is great to watch, and is only 21. He blew out De La Nieve and Chigayev in Chicago, and was outclassed by Zou, but mostly because he kept coming forward even after he had fallen behind.
51kg
Weight-Class Rating - 5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Rau'Shee Warren (USA) 2) Georgi Balakshin (Russia), 3) Samir Mammadov (Azerbaijan)
This weight class has a little of everything - multiple world champions, multiple Olympic veterans, multiple young stars. Warren should be the big favorite, but this is a deep, deep division. Balakshin and Warren have had a good rivalry for several years now. Lee Ok-Sung of South Korea won the 2005 World Championship, but has not been very active since then. Somjit Jongjohor of Thailand won the 2003 World Championships and made it to the final in Chicago. Samir Mammadov and McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico are exciting fighters who had a great match in Chicago, and Mammadov is only 20. Khalid Yafai looks like a future star for the UK and is still 18. And I haven't even mentioned aging veterans Jerome Thomas of France and Tulashboy Doniyarov of Uzbekistan who fought in the Quarterfinals in Athens in 2004, or aging Cuban Andry Laffita, who won a silver at the 2005 World Championships. Did I mention this division was deep?
Favorite Sleeper - Anvar Yunusov (Tajikistan)
Yunusov is only 21, and made a good account for himself in Chicago, picking up two wins before losing a good fight with Mammadov. He then went to the first Asian Qualifier in Thailand and rolled over a very tough field, including Lee Ok-Sung in the final.
54kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Sergey Vodopyanov (Russia) 2) Enkhbat Badar-Uugan (Mongolia), 3) Gary Russell (USA)
This division lacks the firepower and depth of the other small weight-classes. Vodopyanov is the youngest member of the Russian team at just 21, but was not that dominant in winning gold in Chicago. Badar-Uugan took the silver, but it was a lackluster field - and Cuba's entry Yankiel Leon does not have enough of a track record to rate him highly. Russell is young and talented, but inconsistent and occasionally passive. Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand and Rustam Rahimov are the returning Olympic Quarterfinalists from Athens, but Petchkoom has been inconsistent and Rahimov is getting very old. The saving grace of this class is the youthfulness of some of the better fighters that could emerge.
Favorite Sleepers - Akhil Kumar (India), Luke Boyd (Australia)
Kumar and Boyd might be two of those emergent talents, and appear to be the best boxers from their respective countries. Kumar, 27, missed Chicago with injury, but then went to Thailand and outclassed every opponent until he beat Petchkoom in the final on points. Boyd is only 21, and gave Vodopyanov a decent fight after being drawn against him in his first fight in Chicago.
57kg
Weight-Class Rating - 4.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Albert Selimov (Russia) 2) Vasyl Lomachenko (Ukraine), 3) Li Yang (China)
This division is top heavy without the depth of 51kg, but has some amazing talents that should go far unless they are all drawn against each other early. Selimov is only 22 and destroys all stereotypes about robotic European fighters with an incredibly effective and stylish southpaw attack. Lomachenko is one of the most exciting young fighters in the world - just 20 and willing to attack. The next group includes Li Yang, who barely lost to Lomachenko in Chicago - the home ring advantage should help him, but he is terrible to watch. Also Idel Torriente is only 21 and could emerge and Raynell Williams of the USA is terrific and only 19, but is a clear step behind the top two. Bahodirjon Sultanov of Uzbekistan and Galib Jafarov of Kazakhstan could also squeak in for medals - Sultanov gave Selimov a decent fight in Chicago and Jafarov made the Quarterfinals in Athens but is getting old.
Favorite Sleeper - None
Just don't see any exciting young names here, other than the favorites.
60kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Yordenis Ugas (Cuba) 2) Frankie Gavin (Great Britain), 3) Alexey Tishchenko (Russia)
This weight has a very closely contested group at the top, but perhaps not as much depth as the other similar weights. Gavin upset Tishchenko in Chicago, and has to be rated above the 2004 Olympic 57kg champion, although some see it as a one-off result. Both fighters are very technical, and less exciting than the top guys at 57kg. The 2005 World Champion Ugas may bring more excitement, but clearly the draw may end up being the separating factor between these three. The lanky and frustrating Kim Song-Guk of North Korea and solid Italian Domenico Valentino are probably next on the list, but are not inspiring. Valentino and Baik Jong-Sub of South Korea are the only returning Quarterfinalists from Athens at this weight, which was one of the best weights to watch in 2004.
Favorite Sleeper - Onur Sipal (Turkey)
Sipal became a favorite at Chicago, where his fearless style was eye-pleasing, most of all when he stopped Uzbek Bekzod Khidirov with his power punching. Gavin was too technical and savvy for his come-forward style, but Sipal has already accomplished a lot at the age of 19, and could turn out to be a great pro.
64kg
Weight-Class Rating - 4 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Serik Sapiyev (Kazakhstan) 2) Manus Boonjumnong (Thailand), 3) Rosniel Iglesias (Cuba)
This class probably doesn't have the strength at the top of some others, but it is has a lot of interesting stories and a deep crop of possible medalists. The two-time World Champion Sapiyev was never really tested in Chicago, winning easily with very smooth, if not that exciting, skills. Boonjumnong won the 2004 Gold, but is famously undisciplined and wildly inconsistent. Iglesias is a 2006 Junior World Champion, and could be one of the new Cuban stars to come out of Beijing. In fact, three of the four medalists from 2004 are returning, with Boris Georgiev of Bulgaria and Ionut Gheorghe of Romania in the field, although neither showed great form in Chicago. And there are some interesting young fighters from a number of other big-media countries.
Favorite Sleeper - Maimaitituersun Qiong (China)
Qiong is the youngest member of the Chinese team at 19, and could be their next star after Zou. He only went down in Chicago by two points to Georgiev and then qualified easily in Thailand (although losing to Boonjumnong in the final). Best of all, he has a more aggressive style than a lot of his Chinese teammates.
69kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Demetrius Andrade (USA) 2) Magomed Nurudinov (Belarus), 3) Kim Jung-Joo (South Korea)
A very disappointing weight, with by far the worst Russian in the field and an unproven Cuban. The saving grace may be the small group of young potential stars. Andrade was quite dominant in Chicago, but against a limited field, and it's very hard to know who to pick after him. Non Boonjumnong of Thailand finished second in Chicago, but did not have any amazing wins. Nurudinov gets my #2 place, despite his early loss in Chicago. He is a mean, nasty fighter, but could not get to Andrade. But he then went to Italy and demolished the competition at the first European Qualifier. Kim gets the nod at #3 because of his bronze in Athens. He didn't participate in Chicago, but qualified easily in Thailand. The rest of the field is pretty uninspiring or unproven, the latter certainly describing Cuban Carlos Banteaux. Hanati Silamu of China should be good enough to take advantage of being at home.
Favorite Sleeper - Billy Joe Saunders (Great Britain)
Saunders, an 18-year-old English gypsy, seems to be on a track to peak at the games much like Amir Khan did in 2004. He wasn't selected for Chicago, but was on a reported 49-fight winning streak, including beating Banteux in a tournament in Bulgaria, before he narrowly lost to Oleksandr Stretskyy in the first European Qualifier in Italy. He is the kind of story that can really light up the games, and this mostly dismal weight class.
75kg
Weight-Class Rating - 5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Matvey Korobov (Russia) 2) Emilio Correa (Cuba), 3) Alfonso Blanco (Venezuela)
It doesn't get much better this - a deep, and very young group of fighters led by a transcendent star in Korobov. I have birthdates for all but one fighter in this class, and the oldest is 29-year-old Mohammed Hikal of Egypt. Most of the group are 25 or under. This group is so solid that the defending Val Barker Award winner from 2004, Bakhitayar Artayev of Kazakhstan, didn't even make my top three. Korobov should boss his way to gold and make a lot of fans with his style, but there will be a lot of interesting fights and a knife-fight for silver and bronze. Also to watch - Sergey Derevyanchenko of the Ukraine and Elshod Rasulov, a talented young Uzbek who got caught with a huge punch in Chicago.
Favorite Sleeper - Carlos Gongora (Ecuador)
Gongora is the youngest fighter in this field, at just 19, and already has rolled up some impressive results. He beat Blanco easily at the 2007 Pan Am Games before losing to Correa, and was outclassed by Korobov in Chicago, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Ecuadorean boxing seems to be on the rise, and this kid is an exciting prospect with a pleasing style.
81kg
Weight-Class Rating - 1 Star (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Abbos Atoev (Uzbekistan) 2) Artur Beterbiev (Russia), 3) Yerkebuian Shynaliyev (Kazakhstan)
There are some young guys at the top of this group, but overall it is not going to be a weight with many likely thrills. Atoev, the surprise winner in Chicago, and Shynaliyev are very similar. Both are rough, aggressive, short southpaws in their early 20's. Beterbiev, and many of the other Europeans here, are more in line with the stiff, technical stereotype. With no Cuban or American, the field from the Americas is unproven and this weight is too big for most of Asia. Perhaps 23-year-old Ismayl Sillakh, a Ukrainian with an African father, will put it together and challenge.
Favorite Sleeper - Djakhon Kurbanov (Tajikistan)
Not really a sleeper as much as just another solid fighter who might medal. The 22-year-old Tajik was DQ'd in Chicago with seven seconds left of a fight he was winning against Shynaliyev. He also won the 2006 Asian Games gold and rolled through the Thailand qualifier.
91kg
Weight-Class Rating - 2 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Clemente Russo (Italy) 2) Rakhim Chakhiev (Russia), 3) Osmay Acosta (Cuba)
Sadly, not too much excitement here. Russo is charismatic, but fights with his feet, Chakhiev is an old-school strongman without silky skills, and Acosta is young but inconsistent in his career so far. After those three there isn't that much more to look forward to either - John M'Bumba of France was exciting in Chicago before falling to Chakhiev and China's Yushan Nijiati will have the crowd behind him.
Favorite Sleeper - Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine)
Usyk is an interesting character, because he won a bronze medal in the European Championships just two years ago as a Middleweight. He replaced Poyatsika after Chicago, and won four tough bouts fairly easily in Italy to qualify. It will be interesting to see if he brings some nice skills up with him to the heavyweights.
91+kg
Weight-Class Rating - 3.5 Stars (of 5)
Top 3 Fighters- 1) Islam Timurziev (Russia) 2) Roberto Cammarelle (Italy), 3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (Ukraine)
The big men should be pretty good to watch this time, thanks to some giants and experienced returners. Timurziev didn't show to fight the Olympic veteran Cammarelle in Chicago, with appendicitis apparently, but his myriad health problems seem to be behind him for now. Glazkov is not that exciting, but did very well in Chicago, including a stoppage win over Olympic veteran Jaroslav Jaksto. Beyond those three you have 6-8 Chinese giant Zhang Zhilei, 6-7 Brit David Price, dangerous Bulgarian veteran Kubrat Pulev, and the young Cuban Robert Alfonso. I expect this to be a lot more fun than some may think, despite the supposed downturn in heavies and no American being involved. Expect some KOs.
Favorite Sleeper - None
There doesn't appear to be anyone outside of the favorites who can challenge at this weight.
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A closer look at the middleweights:
Loaded division with a former Olympic champ one class below (Artayev) and the current European and World Champ (Korobev), plus a wild card in the Pan-Am winner (Correa).
Matvey Korobev of Russia is the favorite but he will have to face Kazakhstan's Bakhtiyar Artayev in the second round if both win their opening match. These are arguably the two best fighters in this class and it could be an early gold medal preview.
Emilio Correa of Cuba is right behind those two and gets the benefit of drawing on the opposite side of the bracket from them. He does face a tough Ukranian in Sergiy Dervyanchenko if both win their opening match. Anggkhan Chomphuphuang of Thailand and dangerous Asian Games champ Elshod Rsulov are the only other top 10 ranked middleweight on the bottom half of the bracket.
Another possible contender is Venezuela's Alfonso Blanco Parra who drew a first round bye and is headed toward a semifinal showdown with the Korobev-Artayev winner.
On the US front, Shawn Estrada is not expected to contend for a medal. He does have two winnable matches before he faces the Korobev/Artayev winner in the quartefinals.
Loaded division with a former Olympic champ one class below (Artayev) and the current European and World Champ (Korobev), plus a wild card in the Pan-Am winner (Correa).
Matvey Korobev of Russia is the favorite but he will have to face Kazakhstan's Bakhtiyar Artayev in the second round if both win their opening match. These are arguably the two best fighters in this class and it could be an early gold medal preview.
Emilio Correa of Cuba is right behind those two and gets the benefit of drawing on the opposite side of the bracket from them. He does face a tough Ukranian in Sergiy Dervyanchenko if both win their opening match. Anggkhan Chomphuphuang of Thailand and dangerous Asian Games champ Elshod Rsulov are the only other top 10 ranked middleweight on the bottom half of the bracket.
Another possible contender is Venezuela's Alfonso Blanco Parra who drew a first round bye and is headed toward a semifinal showdown with the Korobev-Artayev winner.
On the US front, Shawn Estrada is not expected to contend for a medal. He does have two winnable matches before he faces the Korobev/Artayev winner in the quartefinals.
A closer look at the Light Heavyweights:
Again the Olympic blind draw pitted the top two ranked medal contenders in the same half of the bracket. This time Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev and Russia's Artur Beterbiev are headed towards a semifinal showdown. They are far and away the class of this field, but very close in talent and whoever has the best day could emerge the gold medalist.
The top half of the draw is extremely weak with just three fighters ranked in the top ten. Columbia's Eleider Alvarez and Hungary's Imre Szello both drew first round draws and should meet in the quarters with winnable second roung foes. Ireland's Kenny Egan faces relative unknowns in his section and could face the Alvarez/Saello winner in the semifinals.
Other contenders include Asian Games champ Dzakhon Kurbanov from Tajikistan who had the misfortune of drawing World Champ Atoev in the opening bout. Lithuania's Daugirdas Semiotas is ranked fifth in the world, but would have to likely beat both Atoev and Beterbiev just to reach the finals.
There are no US or Cuban fighters in this weight class.
Again the Olympic blind draw pitted the top two ranked medal contenders in the same half of the bracket. This time Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev and Russia's Artur Beterbiev are headed towards a semifinal showdown. They are far and away the class of this field, but very close in talent and whoever has the best day could emerge the gold medalist.
The top half of the draw is extremely weak with just three fighters ranked in the top ten. Columbia's Eleider Alvarez and Hungary's Imre Szello both drew first round draws and should meet in the quarters with winnable second roung foes. Ireland's Kenny Egan faces relative unknowns in his section and could face the Alvarez/Saello winner in the semifinals.
Other contenders include Asian Games champ Dzakhon Kurbanov from Tajikistan who had the misfortune of drawing World Champ Atoev in the opening bout. Lithuania's Daugirdas Semiotas is ranked fifth in the world, but would have to likely beat both Atoev and Beterbiev just to reach the finals.
There are no US or Cuban fighters in this weight class.
Betting alert:
In the Light Heavyweight class, it is basically a pick 'em between Atoev and Beterbiev should they meet. They are the class of the field, but considering they are on the same half of the draw I took two longshots hoping one would make the finals.
Eleider Alvarez +4000
Kenneth Egan +8000
In the Light Heavyweight class, it is basically a pick 'em between Atoev and Beterbiev should they meet. They are the class of the field, but considering they are on the same half of the draw I took two longshots hoping one would make the finals.
Eleider Alvarez +4000
Kenneth Egan +8000
Thks..
Great idea here..Hopefully as fights get near finals, there will be odds on individual matchups and we can hedge here if the Cuban makes it to the end...Great idea..I got parra from Venz..Dont ask me why..Will take Cuban now too
the American who dropped out today..He is not in the brackets is he?..Will try to find his name..He was favored to medal
The Cubans should compete well here..and in Baseball
I like your homework here. I did the same. lets see...
ok..we are fine..he is not on the brackets..they are up to date..big blow for USA
Bantamweight Russell fails to make weight, out of Olympics
Associated Press
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<!-- end story header --><!-- begin left column --> <!-- begin page tools --> Updated: August 8, 2008, 2:41 AM ET
<!-- end page tools --><!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --> BEIJING -- Bantamweight Gary Russell Jr. will miss the Olympics after collapsing while trying to make weight, leaving the American boxing team without one of its top medal hopes.
The two-time national champion was found unconscious and severely dehydrated early Friday morning, U.S. coach Dan Campbell said. Russell's roommate, light flyweight Luis Yanez, alerted the American coaches shortly after Russell returned from a run in a final effort to reach his 119-pound weight limit.
Bantamweight Russell fails to make weight, out of Olympics
Associated Press
<!-- promo plug -->
<!-- end promo plug -->
<!-- end story header --><!-- begin left column --> <!-- begin page tools --> Updated: August 8, 2008, 2:41 AM ET
<!-- end page tools --><!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --> BEIJING -- Bantamweight Gary Russell Jr. will miss the Olympics after collapsing while trying to make weight, leaving the American boxing team without one of its top medal hopes.
The two-time national champion was found unconscious and severely dehydrated early Friday morning, U.S. coach Dan Campbell said. Russell's roommate, light flyweight Luis Yanez, alerted the American coaches shortly after Russell returned from a run in a final effort to reach his 119-pound weight limit.
what about this :think2:
MENS TRAMPOLINE
<TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TH>ODDS TO WIN MENS TRAMPOLINE COMPETITION
Fri 8/15 11:00PM (EST)
<TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>5130 CHINA </TD><TD> +150 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5131 RUSSIA </TD><TD> +500 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5132 JAPAN </TD><TD> +600</TD></TR><TR><TD>5133 UKRAINE </TD><TD> +700 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5134 USA </TD><TD> +900 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5135 GERMANY </TD><TD> +1000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5136 CANADA </TD><TD> +1100 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5137 BELARUS </TD><TD> +2400 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5138 ITALY </TD><TD> +3000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5139 DENMARK </TD><TD> +3000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5140 FRANCE </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5141 AUSTRALIA </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5142 PORTUGAL </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Im taking France 50-1. They have always been light in the loafers there.
MENS TRAMPOLINE
<TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TH>ODDS TO WIN MENS TRAMPOLINE COMPETITION
Fri 8/15 11:00PM (EST)
<TABLE border=1><TBODY><TR><TD>5130 CHINA </TD><TD> +150 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5131 RUSSIA </TD><TD> +500 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5132 JAPAN </TD><TD> +600</TD></TR><TR><TD>5133 UKRAINE </TD><TD> +700 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5134 USA </TD><TD> +900 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5135 GERMANY </TD><TD> +1000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5136 CANADA </TD><TD> +1100 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5137 BELARUS </TD><TD> +2400 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5138 ITALY </TD><TD> +3000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5139 DENMARK </TD><TD> +3000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5140 FRANCE </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5141 AUSTRALIA </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR><TR><TD>5142 PORTUGAL </TD><TD> +5000 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Im taking France 50-1. They have always been light in the loafers there.
8 American boxers in tourney
Nice to see teddy atlas in Beijing
Hmm..Teddy says American Deontay Wilder has a solid long shot chance..hmmmmh...In the heavyweights..hmm
Boxing Heavy Weight gold medal
Wed 8/13 3:01AM (EST)<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td>Clemente Russo </td><td> +200 </td></tr><tr><td>Rakhim Chakheiv </td><td> +215 </td></tr><tr><td>Osmay Acosta </td><td> +325 </td></tr><tr><td>Viktar Zuyev </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>Ali Mazaheri </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>John M' Bumba </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>Oleksandr Usyk </td><td> +3300 </td></tr><tr><td>Milorad Gajovic </td><td> +3300 </td></tr><tr><td>Yushan Nijiati </td><td> +4000 </td></tr><tr><td>Elias Pavlidis </td><td> +5000 </td></tr><tr><td>Abdelaziz Touilbini </td><td> +5000 </td></tr><tr><td>Deontay Wilder </td><td> +6600 </td></tr><tr><td>Mohamed Arjaoui </td><td> +10000 </td></tr><tr><td>Deivi Julio Blanco </td><td> +12500 </td></tr><tr><td>Durodola Olanrewaju </td><td> +15000 </td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Pitt </td><td> +20000 </td></tr></tbody></table>
Nice to see teddy atlas in Beijing
Hmm..Teddy says American Deontay Wilder has a solid long shot chance..hmmmmh...In the heavyweights..hmm
Boxing Heavy Weight gold medal
Wed 8/13 3:01AM (EST)<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td>Clemente Russo </td><td> +200 </td></tr><tr><td>Rakhim Chakheiv </td><td> +215 </td></tr><tr><td>Osmay Acosta </td><td> +325 </td></tr><tr><td>Viktar Zuyev </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>Ali Mazaheri </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>John M' Bumba </td><td> +2500 </td></tr><tr><td>Oleksandr Usyk </td><td> +3300 </td></tr><tr><td>Milorad Gajovic </td><td> +3300 </td></tr><tr><td>Yushan Nijiati </td><td> +4000 </td></tr><tr><td>Elias Pavlidis </td><td> +5000 </td></tr><tr><td>Abdelaziz Touilbini </td><td> +5000 </td></tr><tr><td>Deontay Wilder </td><td> +6600 </td></tr><tr><td>Mohamed Arjaoui </td><td> +10000 </td></tr><tr><td>Deivi Julio Blanco </td><td> +12500 </td></tr><tr><td>Durodola Olanrewaju </td><td> +15000 </td></tr><tr><td>Bradley Pitt </td><td> +20000 </td></tr></tbody></table>
