Silver medalists who made history
By @kiqueriojas
The Tokyo Olympic Games is presently providing lots of viewing pleasure, so BBN decided to take a trip down memory lane to remember some of the runners-ups that went on to surpass all expectations and been able to fulfil their destinies as professional boxers to the highest levels.
Clearly, winning an Olympic gold medal is the pinnacle, but coming close enough to secore a silver or bronze is an amazing achievement, fulfilled by just a few.
Here is a select list of fighters who have won silver medals to later gone on and progress even further to become great champions as professional boxers.
Amir Khan
Khan was part of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, but failed to win the lightweight gold medal against Cuban Mario Kindelan. To date, Amir has won titles in multiple divisions as a professional and is one of Britain's biggest boxing stars of all-time.
He also holds the record for being the youngest Briton to win an Olympic medal.
John Mugabi
The Ugandan boxer competed in Moscow 1980 and was defeated in the final by Cuban Andrés Aldama. Months later, he stepped into the professional world of boxing, where he won the WBC super welterweight title. After a 19-year career, Mugabi decided to retire, but he will always be remembered for his power.
Gennady Golovkin
“GGG” competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics and won the middleweight silver medal. After this event, Golovkin turned professional, twice winning the middleweight title. For four years, Gennady held the unified title and since 2019 he has managed to continue to reign in the division. He has made a total of 21 successful defenses and is focused on further chapters towards a masterpiece legacy.
Riddick Bowe
Riddick Bowe competed in the 1988 edition in Seoul and in the final, he faced Lennox Lewis who defeated him. A year later, Bowe decided to turn professional boxer. Riddick was the undisputed champion and a two-time heavyweight champion.
Roy Jones Jr.
In Seoul 1988 after having clearly and decisively dominated the entire fight, Roy Jones Jr. was somehow judged to have lost the super welterweight final against Park Si-Heon, the local boxer, typically! After this pitifully biased episode, Jones turned professional and won titles in four different divisions during his brilliant career.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in these articles are only responsibility of their authors and do not reflect the views of the WBC.
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News