Boxer Jackson Wins Bout
S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 17, 2000 -- David Jackson got a trip to Sydney
because another boxer quit the U.S. team.
Today, he became more than just a replacement. The24-year-old boxer from Seattle became a winner at the Olympics.
“It’s a great feeling, nothing like it,” Jackson said afterbeating Naoufel Ben Rabah of Tunisia 19-7 at 132 pounds. “It’sgreat to be an Olympian right now. I’m looking for the gold.”
Jackson replaced Marshall Martinez of Fontana, Calif., whoturned pro.
“We call him ‘Nine Lives’ because he’s lucky to be here,” said Tom Mustin, head coach of the U.S. team.
Jackson, who returned to the sport this year after a two-yearabsence, set up his punches with a good left jab and took completecontrol after leading only 5-4 in the second round. By the round’send, Jackson led 12-4.
Next up for Jackson is Selim Palyani of Turkey.
Craig, Vinson Also Advance
Dante Craig of Cincinnati shook off first-round jitters andbecame the second U.S. boxer to advance when he stopped FadelShowban Showban of Egypt on the 15-point rule Saturday night. The22-year-old Craig, ahead 3-1 after one round, led 17-2 early in thefourth round when the 147-pound match was halted. Craig next willbox Bulent Ulusoy of Turkey.
“I just had to get used to being in the ring again,” saidCraig, who had not boxed in five months because of surgery on hisright hand.
Clarence Vinson, 22, of Washington, D.C., advanced at 119 poundsSaturday afternoon with a 9-2 decision over Rachid Bouaita ofFrance.
Romero Wins Tough Bout
In one of the best bouts of the first two days, Liborio Romeroof Mexico, trailing 13-6 in the third round, swarmed all overMebarek Soltani of Algeria and won their 106-pound bout 16-15 witha scoring blow right before the bell.
In the first two rounds and part of the third, Romero, severalinches shorter than Soltani, had trouble getting inside as theAlgerian scored with counter punches. Then Romero’s pressure beganto tell, and in the fourth round Soltani could not keep him off.
“In the last second with the last punch I knew I had won,”Romero said.
La Paene Masara of Indonesia counter-punched his way to a 10-5win over Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico in the final 106-pound bouton the day card.
A third Latin fighter also advanced when Patrick Lopez, a PanAmerican Games bronze medalist, trounced Norman Schuster of Germany24-10 at 132 pounds. Lopez, of Venezuela, forced Schuster to take astanding 8-count in the third round.
In the first fight of the day, Kim Un-Chol, the only NorthKorean in the boxing competition, stopped Sebusiso Keketsi ofLesotho in the third round on the 15-point rule (17-2).
Alexandr Maletin of Russia, a world champion in 1997, was tooexperienced for Makhach Nuriddinov of Azerbaijan, winning 14-5 at132 pounds.