Hunter loses; 9 Americans going to Beijing

Press Release: Super heavyweight Michael Hunter suffered a devastating loss in his semifinal bout with Venezuela’s Jose Payares at the Americas Qualifier in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The defeat eliminates Hunter from Olympic contention. Hunter, who had been battling an illness throughout his time in Guatemala, fell behind by one point after the opening two minutes. Payares moved out to a four-point advantage in the third before winning a 10-3 decision over Hunter.  With Hunter and Christopher Downs failing to qualify, the United States will take nine boxers to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The nine boxers competing in the Olympic Games will be light flyweight Luis Yanez, flyweight Rau’shee Warren, bantamweight Gary Russell, Jr., featherweight Raynell Williams, lightweight Sadam Ali; light welterweight Javier Molina, welterweight Demetrius Andrade, middleweight Shawn Estrada and heavyweight Deontay Wilder.