Warren retains 112-pound title; eyes Olympics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — RauShee Warren of Cincinnati successfully defended his 112-pound division title Saturday as a trio of youthful boxers made impressive showings at the U.S. Championships.

Warren stopped Oscar Venegas after building a 21-2 margin early in the second round, while Gary Russell Jr. won at 119 and Danny Garcia won at 132.

Warren took control from the start, scoring a standing-eight count early in the first round, and continued his attack in the second.

Warren, who turned 19 last month, was the youngest member of the 2004 Olympic team. He is the first Olympian to return to the amateur boxing ranks since 1992.

“Because I was less experienced, I failed to win a medal, and that was my whole dream in 2004,” Warren said. “I’m back because I want to win an Olympic medal in 2008.”

Since returning from Athens, Warren won a gold medal at last year’s U.S. Championships and a bronze in the World Championships in November.

Russell, a 17-year-old from Capitol Heights, Md., earned a 13-6 decision over Leodegario Santa Cruz of Lincoln Heights, Calif.