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Click Here 60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, March 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 22, 2004 Wilson victory keeps Olympic boxing hopes alive TUNICA, Miss. — Mike Wilson rebounded Saturday from a loss one night earlier to keep alive his dream of making the U.S. Olympic boxing team. Wilson defeated second-ranked George Garcia of Glendale, Ariz., 28-22, in a bout of super heavyweights that brought to a close the Olympic Team Trials. "We really beat him handily," said Joe Pedrojetti, Wilson’s trainer and founder of the Bulldog Boxing Club, which the 21-year-old Central Point resident represents. "It sounds close, but it really wasn’t." The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Wilson took the early lead out of the corner, 6-3, after Round 1 and established a strong jab to keep Garcia on the outside through the remaining three rounds. The victory earned Wilson a trip to Cleveland next week, where he is to meet top-ranked Jason Estrada of Providence, R.I., for the Olympic team berth. Advertisement Wilson must beat Estrada twice, Friday and Saturday, in the national box-offs to become an Olympian. If Estrada — who beat Wilson 23-14 Friday — notches a win, he makes the team. Pedrojetti likes the chances of Wilson, who ran his career record to 67-17. "He’s hitting harder than any other heavyweight," said Pedrojetti. "He’s crisper." Pedrojetti complained after Wilson’s loss to Estrada that the latter was being credited with punches that were barely landing. "They were counting pitty-pat punches," he said. "The rule is that you have to land punches in the scoring areas with force." The way Wilson’s fight with Estrada was judged will have an impact on how he goes after Estrada this time. "We’ll be a lot busier," said Pedrojetti. "We’ll start throwing punches. It used to be that you had to pick your shots so you could throw scoring punches. In the past, big-time flurries haven’t counted. We’re going to throw a lot more punches, which Mike is very capable of doing." It’s also important for Wilson to get an early lead, said Pedrojetti, and force him to stay in and fight. Pedrojetti said Estrada ran from Wilson the final two rounds Friday, either because he was protecting a lead or he was tired. "He’s not in as good of shape as we are," said Pedrojetti. Wilson, an Olympic alternate at the age of 17 in 2000, qualified for the Olympic Trials by winning the Everlast U.S. Championships last month. He previously won three junior titles and two under-19 championships. Estrada, a three-time national champion, qualified by taking the 2003 U.S. Challenge. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times