Beijing Olympic Games

Warren, Andrade hope to shake U.S. boxing woes

By Kevin Pedersen PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

The United States boxing team has not had much success in recent Olympic Games but, as the 2008 Olympics in Beijing approach, Team USA has reason for optimism thanks to a pair of world champions.

Flyweight Rau’Shee Warren and welterweight Demetrius Andrade headline the nine boxers that make up the American squad that will compete in this year’s Olympics.

Both Warren and Andrade won gold medals at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago and the duo gives the U.S. its best chance of winning more than one Olympic gold medal for the first time since Team USA took home three at Seoul in 1988.

The Americans won just two medals (one gold, one bronze) at the 2004 Games in Sydney - their worst showing in 56 years. Team USA won just one gold medal in 1992 and 1996 and was shut out in 2000.

But Warren, who was in Athens as a 17-year-old, will be the first American boxer since 1976 to complete in multiple Olympics and says that his experience will help him be more successful this time around.

“I’m more mature,” the Cincinnati native said. “I’ve learned the judging and the styles. I’ve spent the past four years listening and finding ways to use my speed against them.”

Warren’s main competition will be France’s Jerome Thomas, who won the bronze in 2000 and the silver medal in 2004. Thomas, however, lost in the first round at the 2007 Worlds to Russia’s Georgy Balakshin.

Despite the experience of Thomas, U.S. coach Robert “Herb” Martin believes that Warren has what it takes to become the first American flyweight since 1984 to capture Olympic gold.

“He’s the fastest I’ve ever seen,” Martin said. “He’s got hand speed, foot speed, and a good eye. He always knows where he is in the ring. He doesn’t get hit a lot. I believe he will have that gold medal.”

Andrade was convincing in his run to the title at the 2007 Worlds, capped by a second-round technical knockout of Thailand’s Non Boonjumnong.

The Providence, Rhode Island native says he will not be overconfident heading into Beijing because the target is now on his back.

“I gotta work even harder because I’m No. 1,” Andrade said. “Everyone’s going for me and I don’t know what they’ve been doing out there (to prepare).”

Luis Yanez, who was reinstated on July 16 after a series of appeals following his ban from the team for missing training, will compete in the light flyweight division and is a contender to win a medal in a division headlined by China’s Zou Shiming.

Shiming won bronze in 2004 - the first Olympic medalist in China’s history - and claimed back-to-back world titles in 2006 and 2007. He is the favorite to become the nation’s first Olympic gold medalist.

While the United States is just hoping to win multiple gold medals, Russia is viewed as the favorite to win the most medals in Beijing.

The Russians won three golds and eight medals total, dominating the 2007 World Championships.

Middleweight Matvei Korobov, bantamweight Sergey Vodopyanov and featherweight Albert Selimov all lead the loaded Russian team after capturing gold medals at last year’s Worlds.

Lightweight Aleksei Tichtchenko, who won bronze at the World Championships, is also a leading contender for the Russians. The 24-year-old won gold in Athens at featherweight and is moving up one weight class for the games in Beijing.

Heavyweight Rakhim Chakhkeiv, light heavyweight Artur Beterbiev and light welterweight Gennady Kovalev all won the silver medal in 2007 and will contend as well for the Russian team.

Generally not considered a boxing powerhouse, Italy also performed well in Chicago and is hoping to make a splash in Beijing. Heavyweight Clemente Russo and super heavyweight Roberto Cammarelle both claimed gold medals at last year’s World Championships.

Cammarelle won Italy’s only medal in Athens, claiming the bronze.

Cuba, which dominated the 2004 Olympics - winning five gold medals and eight medals total - will not be as strong with most of those fighters turning pro. The Cubans have won 21 medals at the last three Olympics and still should be able to take home multiple medals.

Other members of Team USA who could contend for a medal are bantamweight Gary Russell, Jr. and 6-8 power-punching heavyweight Deontay Wilder.

But if the Americans are hoping to make a name for themselves at the upcoming games, they will have to rely on the experience and leadership of Warren, who is ready for the competition.

“I’ve been thinking about it so much,” Warren said. “I want to fight for (the gold) right now. I want to go in the ring today.”