by David P. Greisman
Bantamweight prospect Rau’shee Warren believes his first shot at a world title can come soon, within two or three fights, in 2014.
“I got the ability and I got the experience to step in there with any other top fighter that’s out there,” Warren told reporters on Dec. 14, speaking shortly after scoring a unanimous decision over Jose Silveira in San Antonio in the opening bout to the Adrien Broner-Marcos Maidana undercard.
“I’ve been at the top all my life as an amateur,” Warren said.
The 26-year-old from Cincinnati said he plans on staying at 118 until he wins the world title, and then would move up to 122 pounds.
He didn’t have his eyes set on any particular beltholder.
“Whoever got the title, that’s who I’m going for,” he said.
Warren’s greatest success in the unpaid ranks came in 2007, when he won a world championship as a flyweight. He also won bronze medals in that division in the 2005 and 2011 tournaments.
He competed three times in the Olympics. In 2004, as a light flyweight, Warren lost in the opening round to Zou Shiming of China, who went on to capture bronze. In 2008, as a flyweight, Warren was edged by one point in the opening round, losing to Lee Ok-Sung of South Korea. And in 2012, as a flyweight, Warren had a bye in the opening round but would again be defeated in his first appearance, losing by one point to Nordine Oubaali of France.
Since turning pro in November 2012, Warren has won nine bouts, including three by knockout. He also had eight wins in the years before that while competing in the World Series of Boxing. Golden Boy Promotions only began including those wins this past June when referencing Warren’s record.
Though World Series of Boxing competitors are allowed to maintain amateur status, they are paid and fight without headgear. The matches are recognized as pro bouts by FightFax, the official record keeper of the sport, which means Warren is 17-0 (3 KOs).
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