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06/21/2007 Archived Entry: "As the Olympic Trials approach..."
As the Olympic Trials approach...
who are America's best hopes to win Gold in '08?
by Alden "The Kid" Chodash
Courtesy of AldenBoxing.com
For the many American boxing fans who chose to turn away from amateur boxing as a result of the relatively unsuccessful outcome of the Athens '04 games, they'll be happy in knowing that Beijing '08 will see a much more talented and deeper team . The boxers who are attempting to compete on the '08 Beijing games are finally developing and becoming forces in amateur boxing. For example, Rau'Shee Warren, the amateur phenomenon out of Ohio. He lacked the experience four years ago to become a factor in the Olympics, yet now at twenty years old, Warren nearly derailed a Cuban Olympic Gold medalist and has been nearly untouchable in National Competition and rarely loses even in International tournaments. While Warren may clearly be the favorite to make it to the Olympics and take home a gold medal, I believe there are a few other names whom might achieve just that as well.
On of them is Super-Heavyweight Michael Hunter. Like his counterpart in the last Olympics, Jason Estrada, Hunter is a skilled, smooth, and very slick boxer who is very successful in both National and International competition. However, Hunter is far more focused than Estrada and probably much more determined. Also, in the 201+ pound division, Hunter is one of the more mobile fighters you will find by a landslide. His handspeed and skill doesn't hurt him either. Also, if you want proof of whether or not Hunter is focused and determined in combat, try to catch his televised bout against another Super-Heavyweight hopeful, Michael Wilson, pulled out by Hunter in the final round.
Another potential star in Beijing could very likely come 100 pounds south of the division in which Hunter campaigns. He's Luis Yanez. Yanez, a tricky southpaw out of Texas, is to the light-flyweight division what Rau'Shee Warren is to the Flyweight class. He has never lost a bout in the National Competitions he's competed in recently, and also scarcely falls short in International bouts. Yanez may not look spectacular on film, but this 19 year old is a genius at compiling points "Olympic" style. He is very tough to hit flush and also the fact that he's a southpaw can double the difficulty in fighting him.
The outstanding boxer of the US National Championships which took place recently, was Javier Molina out of California. Molina, a fighter who made a name for himself originally in Junior Olympic Tournaments, quickly adapted to the older, more mature fighters with great success. Molina is not slick, nor a mover, but is a very rough, tough competitor and also understands the point system exceptionally well. Also, Molina showed me great determination in his closing frame with Brad Solomon, in which Molina rallied and scored enough to win the 141 lb class in dramatic fashion.
One fighter who actually didn't win the Nationals (because of an injury) is Demetrius Andrade, another slick southpaw whose experience and knowledge of the sport of amateur boxing give him a good shot of capturing gold in the Olympics. Andrade, 19, was shown on national television in the Golden Gloves tournament where he caught my attention as a force in amateur boxing. Andrade knows how to apply his southpaw stance positively and while doing that, he becomes virtually unbeatable at 152, at least in National competition. Although Charles Hatley looked impressive winning the nationals at 152, I believe he will definitely fall short against Andrade in the trials.
The five competitors I've mentioned have a great shot in Beijing assuming they make it there, but we have other fighters who are capable of springing upsets and being successful at the Olympics. Altogether, the '08 team will definitely not follow in the footsteps of the Athens team. So there's a good reason to look forward to the upcoming Olympics.
Alden "The Kid" Chodash is operator of AldenBoxing.com and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
