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Chattanooga: Warren a U.S. team leader at 21

By: Kelley Smiddie
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Lemarcus Smith

Many athletes, particularly boxers, who are fortunate enough to make an Olympic team consider it a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. For Rau’shee Warren, it’s a twicein-a-lifetime chance.

In the only matchup of two Olympic qualifiers in Saturday night’s exhibition between Team USA and the Dominican Republic at the Chattanooga Convention Center, Warren decisioned Juan Carlos Payano 32-15 at 112 pounds.

It’s been 32 years since the U.S. has had a boxer compete in a second Olympic Games. Warren turned 17 years old in February of 2004 before he made the trip to Athens, Greece, for his first Olympics.

Things have changed a little since then. He’s now the father of 5-month-old Rau’shee Jr.

“He’s a leader,” 2004 U.S. Olympic coach Brasheer Abdullah said. “He’s taken the role of being captain. In 2004 he began to show some leadership. He was always motivating his teammates to work hard in the gym, to be focused and to represent our country in a positive way.”

Warren grew up in a rough neighborhood in Cincinnati. One day his older brother, Steven, took Rau’shee with him to the gym. Soon afterward, a star was in the making.

Warren was 8 when he hooked up with trainer Mike Stafford. They remain a team.

“He’s like a father figure to me,” Warren said. “Any time I have problems, outside the ring or whatever, I call him.”

Warren also credits his mother, Paulette, for continued encouragement. They made a joint decision for Rau’shee to remain an amateur for a while before turning professional.

“That’s everybody’s goal, but I had a chance to perform at another Olympics,” Warren said. “The last time I had other things on my mind. I had school going on. I was 17 and away from home. Now I’ve finished school. The next Olympics I can focus my mind on one thing, just that gold medal.”

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