BEIJING // The former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield believes the failure of the US boxing team at the Olympics can be traced back to an obsession with money. Holyfield had predicted three American golds in boxing, but only the heavyweight Deontay Wilder is still standing of the nine who began the tournament. "They didn't do very well, not well at all. We've got to tighten up the amateur programme so that in four years we do a whole lot better ," said Holyfield, a bronze medallist at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984,.
"The problem is that these days it's all about money. When it's all about money this happens. "The guys are just thinking about money. There's a kind of manipulation where the kids are being told 'go and turn pro, gold medals aren't important'. "(The managers) don't want the guys winning golds because then they have to pay them more." Holyfield racked up more than 150 wins as an amateur before turning professional in 1984 and believes that grounding enabled him to join the list of American boxing greats such as Oscar De La Hoya, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, all of whom won gold.
"Back in the day, amateur boxing was on TV every weekend in the States. It inspired you to box," he added. "When you're a pro you avoid the fighters whose style doesn't suit your style, it makes them weak. Amateur boxing is harder than pro, you have to fight everybody." * Reuters