CHICAGO -- Flyweight Rau'shee Warren became the first American to win a gold medal at the World Boxing Championships in eight years, beating Thailand's Somjit Jongjohor 13-9 in the finals on Saturday.
Warren was serenaded by "USA! USA!" chants before the opening bell and throughout the fight. And he didn't disappoint.
Warren took control in the second round, knocking down Jongjohor and turning a 2-1 lead into a 10-4 advantage.
The score was 5-1 after Warren landed two quick lefts and he stayed on the attack. He countered a shot by Jongjohor with a flurry that made it 8-3, and he sent his opponent to the canvas with a right hook in the closing seconds of the round.
Days before the event began, Warren guaranteed he would make the finals and he did just that with a 26-13 victory over Azerbaijan's Samir Mammadov in Friday's semis. Along the way, he qualified for his second consecutive Olympics, meaning he'll be the first American since Davey Lee Armstrong in 1976 to compete in two straight.
Warren was 17 and the youngest member of the 2004 boxing team when he traveled to Athens. He was also a little lighter and not as polished.
Now fighting at 112 pounds, Warren competed at 106 in Athens. A two-time national champion, he took the bronze at the 2005 world championships.
But nothing could stop him this time. Not a sore right shoulder. And not his opponents.
Warren eased off in the final two rounds of his bout with Jongjohor, doing just enough to stay in control. And when it was over, he raised both arms, jogged around the ring and hugged his corner. Then, the U.S. flag was draped around his shoulders.
Chicago hoped to use the World Boxing Championships as a boost in its bid for the 2016 Summer Games. The city didn't get the championships until May, after it was pulled from Moscow.
The Russians were better participants than organizers, with six finalists -- more than any country.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Source: ESPN.com
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