Liveblog: Olympic Boxing Trials
Trials for the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team got underway on Sunday in Mobile, Ala. and fortunately the useful DC Amateur Boxing blog is down there providing live coverage of all the action.
Opening bouts were released earlier today and feature several East Coast prospects who should be familiar to Stiff Jab readers that followed our coverage of this year’s New York and Washington-area regional Golden Gloves championships.
Our first impression is that Gary Allan Russell III, Michael Reed, Erick DeLeon and Marcus Browne are the names to watch but there are plenty of familiar fighters capable of making noise. We’ll update this post as the results come in:
141 lbs: Pedro Sosa, Bronx, N.Y. defeats Gary Allan Russell III, Capitol Heights, Md by DQ - Russell is the younger brother of rising featherweight prospect Gary Russell Jr. and former national Golden Gloves champion. He’s the second of five brothers, at least three of whom are amateur champions.
It goes without saying this loss is a major upset; my trainer Rodriguez says Allan was waiting to turn pro till after the Olympics. We’ll let you know when we find out the cause of the disqualification.
141 lbs: Michael Reed, Waldorf, Md., def. Duran Caferro, Helena, Mont. - Reed won the national Golden Gloves title at 141 lbs. this year with a 4-1 decision over George Rincon of Texas. He secured the decision over Caferro 26-16.
165 lbs: D’Mitrius Ballard, Temple Hills, Md., def. Martez Jackson, Valdosta, Ga. - We witnessed Ballard lose a barnburner in the regional championship this year to Antoine Douglas. He’s definitely one to watch in this tourney. He squeaked past Jackson 20-19.
165 lbs: Antoine Douglas, Burke, Va., def. Damarius Russell, Camp Lejeune, N.C. - Douglas beat Ballard to make nationals but lost to Philadelphia’s Jesse Hart in the semifinals. He and his sister Tyreishia are both up for the Olympic boxing team next year. Douglas won his first bout 26-14.
201 lbs: Jordan Shimmell, Hudsonville, Mich., def. Robert Jekabson, Chicago, Ill. - The Michigander was 3-1 against Jekabson but lost their last meeting. He advanced by a score of 24-15.
201 lbs: Joseph Williams, Far Rockaway, N.Y. def. Charles Blackwell, Tucson, Ariz. - An affable youth counselor, Williams won his regional title over a police office and fellow Queens native. He dominated Blackwell 22-8.
132 lbs: Erick DeLeon, Lincoln Park, Mich., loses to Kenneth Sims, Jr., Chicago, Ill. - DeLeon has won three national titles but his place in the Olympic trials was in doubt thanks to his status as an undocumented immigrant. DeLeon earned his citizenship in February thanks to some assistance from the office of Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.). He faces an uphill battle after losing his first fight 35-17.
178 lbs: Marcus Browne, Staten Island, N.Y., def. Sean Bettencourt, Stoughton, Mass. - Browne was the most impressive prospect we saw at the Garden this year. Bet on him not only making the team but bring home a medal from London. He won 12-4 in his first bout.
178 lbs: Shaborn Ryals, Capitol Heights, Md., loses to Jerry Odom, Bowie, Md. - Odom won the regional title rather easily in April and advanced all the way to the finals at nationals. If anyone can upset Browne on the way to London it’s him. He won his first bout easily over fellow DMV native Ryals 31-20.