I answer that question: YES (with capital leters!). Amateur boxing certainly gives you basic techniques before you jump out to the pro. Besides, it will give you some preparations before you go to the real jungle. You can get all basic items in amateur techniques, speed, footwork, agility, power, guts, etc. If you have got all of these items in amateur, I guarantee you will easily be a pro champion.

So many examples are found in the pro boxing world. Most world champions (past, present and future!) are amateur champions in their own era. Just say Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Evander Hollyfield, Lennox Lewis, Andrew Golota, Oscar de la Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, and so many others were amateur champions. Even most of them were amateur world champions or Olympic gold medalists.

What about Julio Cesar Chavez? This fighter, truly, was not an amateur one. But it's an execption as he had so big talent. Chavez was born as a fighter. That's the answer. Another reason, in such a country like Mexico, where most people live in difficulties, boxing is a good way to earn money. Most of Mexican (and commonly South American) boxers never go to amateur. They train themselves by many pro fightings. That is also why that usually Mexican fighters' record is fantastique (50-0, etc) though they are not champion yet. Anyway, pease note that this is only an exception.

So, if you like boxing, and you want to be a pro chanpion, it is wise if you concentrate on Amateur. Your career will ruin if you don't have any amateur backgrounds. Moreover in the United States, most pro rookies have good amateur backgrounds before they go into pro.

Jeff C. Pamungkas