Checking In With the 2008 USA Olympic Boxing Squad
The US Olympic Boxing Team is always the source of the hottest prospects in boxing for the subsequent four years, with the only other event that even comes close being the Golden Gloves tournaments, either at the national level or for important cities like New York. Accordingly, it pays to keep an eye on how members of the 2008 boxing team, lackluster though it was, are doing now that they have turned pro.
Demetrius Andrade: Andrade was the star of the 2008 Olympic Boxing Team, and his upset loss in mid-tournament was the team’s darkest moment in Beijing. The athletic 6’1″ southpaw campaigns as Super Welterweight (154lbs), and owns a 10-0 record with 7 knockouts. His record reflects a mix of victories over undefeated-yet-novice boxers, journeymen and tomato cans. Look for Andrade to step up his level of opposition either late this year or in 2011.
Deontay Wilder: Wilder was the savior of the 2008 Team, as he was the only boxer to bring home medal, saving America from the humiliation of a first-ever Summer Games without a single boxing medal. A skinny 6’7″ and 220 lbs., Wilder might also be the future savior of the US heavyweight boxing scene. He made his pro debut on the undercard of Jermain Taylor vs. Jeff Lacy, and currently has a record of 10 victories, no defeats, and all victories by way of knockout. He is unpolished, but has enormous physical potential.
Raynell Williams: Raynell Williams stayed in the amateur ranks, intending to qualify for the 2012 US Olympic Boxing Team.
Sadam Ali: Noteworthy as the first Arab-American on the US Olympic Boxing Team, Ali turned pro in the Super Lightweight division (140 lbs) in January 2009. He is 7-0 with 3 KOs, but over opposition limited almost entirely to tomato cans.
Javier Molina: Molina campaigns as a welterweight. His career has been in limbo, with only three professional fights (all wins, all kayos), most likely due to his need to finish high school. Molina delayed his last year of high school to focus on the Olympics, and thus returned to classes in 2009 as a 19 year old senior. Now that he is out of school, his boxing career will hopefully begin in earnest.
Shawn Estrada: Estrada was keeping the busiest schedule of all the 2008 team, until he hurt first his back and then his hand that is. He has been on the shelf since May 2009, when he had run up a 6-0, 6 KO record.
Luis Yanez: Yanez has been enjoying modest success as a Super Flyweight (115 lbs.), fighting on his home turf of Dallas, Texas. He has a 4-0 record, all wins by decision.
Gary Russell: A southpaw hailing from Capitol Heights, MD, Russell fights as a Featherweight (126 lbs.). Russell made the team, but never fought a single bout in Beijing because he passed out prior in his dorm room prior to the start of the event. As a professional, he is 9-0, 6 KOs.
