Lucky Strike

Rau'shee Warren is back on the track. He is the first American fighter to participate in three Olympic Games. His star rose in 2007th when he became World Champion in the Chicago tournament. Since then Warren failed to achieve something more than bronze medals in the next two World Championships. In 2004th Rau`shee became the youngest boxer in the Athens Olympics and the youngest US male in all sports.

Today amateur boxing is a good start for many boxers who want to continue their careers in the professional sport. It is obvious that money is the matter. But for Warren the Olympics Games are more special. Losing the previous tournaments, this time he wants to win the Final. ` No less than a gold`, said Warren. A gold medal from the London Olympics could be a kick start for his future professional career. And this time there will be no excuses. He wants his gold, and he wants it bad.

The financial stimulus in the professional boxing attracts many amateur boxers. Next year we will see the launch of the International Boxing Association`s Professional Boxing, a tournament in which boxers will receive regular salaries but will still be allowed to compete in the 2016th Rio Olympics. But there is a unique feeling when presenting your country at the Olympics. Many people want to be a part of this ancient tradition called Olympiad. Warren knows it better. His time is now or never and he will show his best boxing skills to get the title in his last Games.

The Olympic principle that the participation at the Games is more important than winning itself is not valid for Warren. `Luck is not the matter`, he added, ` the hard work is more important`. Warren knows already that he is in the foothills of the mount Olympus.