Russian team is dominating in Cuba's absence

The Amateur World Championships, taking place in Chicago, is now in high gear, as the medal rounds begin today. The field in each of the eleven weight classes has been whittled down to four boxers, meaning that there are 44 boxers left, all of whom will do no worse than a bronze. Although the United States teram got off to a huge start, the biggest benefactors of Fidel Castro's decision to keep the powerhouse Cuban team home clearly is Russia. Of the eleven boxers sent here by Russia, eight are still in the hunto for a world amateur championship. China also has made a strong showing, with five boxers winning Thursday to make Friday's semifinals at the University of Illinois-Chicago's UIC Pavilion. Four Italians won spots in the semis. Kazakhstan and Thailand placed three boxers each in the semifinals. The U.S. team, with four of its six quarterfinalists losing, has two men left: Demetrius Andrade and Rau'shee Warren.