2010 Guangzhou Asian Games flyweight gold medalist Rey Saludar has been outclassed by America?s two-time Olympian and 2007 World champion Rau? Shee Warren in a third round bout at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
With the impressive victory Warren marked his place in the history books as the first U.S. boxer ever to qualify for three Olympic Games.
The US Amateur boxing website said Warren was ?clearly on a mission in his third round contest with Rey Saludar of the Philippines. The 24-year-old American started the bout on fire, peppering the unprepared Saludar with lightning quick combinations in the opening round. His efforts earned Warren a 7-2 lead after the first round. ?
The report said Saludar attempted to adjust to Warren?s tremendous hand speed in the second round but had no answers as Warren moved out to 16-8 lead with one round remaining. He continued to add to his lead over the final three minutes to win a 22-12 final decision and clinch a berth in a historic third Olympic Games.
US Amateur boxing said Warren was the youngest U.S. male athlete in any sport in the 2004 Olympic Games at only 17-years-old. He then entered the Beijing Olympics as the favorite in his weight class following a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships, which served as the first international qualifier for the 2008 Olympics.
Yet, he was unable to fulfill his dream of putting a gold medal around his mother, Paulette?s neck in both Athens and Beijing, so he made the rare decision to come back for a third attempt at his lifelong goal. Warren will continue his run toward a second world title in a quarterfinal contest with England?s Khalid Saeed Yafai tonight.
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