One of the medal favorites for the U.S. Boxing team was forced to withdraw just days before competition begins after collapsing while trying to make weight. Gary Russell Jr., of Capitol Heights, Md, was scheduled to compete in the bantamweight division which requires fighters to be no heavier than 119 pounds at weigh in.
Russell is a 2 time American Champion, winning in both 2005 and 2006. He missed the 2007 Championships due to injury. He had also performed well against international competition, winning the Bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships while just 17 years old.
Not all hope is lost however, the U.S. squad still contains 2 reigning World Champions as both welterweight Demetrius Andrade and flyweight Rau'shee Warren won Gold at the 2007 Championships. Both will enter competition in Beijing as medal favorites.
The U.S. Team is hoping to improve on it's total of 2 medals at the Athens game. A Gold won by light heavyweight Andre Ward and a Bronze won by middleweight Andre Dirrell.
Boxing competition for the 2008 Games begins on August 9th.
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