Hunter keeps dream alive, wins gold at USA Boxing nationals

Michael Hunter was fortunate enough to get a second chance to pursue his Olympic dream. Next stop, Rio de Janeiro, with a golden opportunity to go to London.

The Las Vegas heavyweight was in control the entire fight against Iowa's Javonta Charles in the gold medal bout of the USA Boxing national championships Saturday, pulling away for a 26-7 victory in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hunter advanced to the Continental Americas qualification tournament May 3 in Brazil. He needs to finish in the top three in the 201-pound weight class to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team that will compete in the London Games in late July.

"It's a good feeling," Hunter said. "My full mission was to get to Brazil. No matter what was going on, I just tried to stay focused and take care of business in the ring."

Hunter redeemed himself following a suspension in August for testing positive for marijuana after he had won the gold medal at the Olympic Trials in Mobile, Ala. He was reinstated in October and trained hard for the nationals, working out in Los Angeles. He also kept to himself, avoiding anyone who could sidetrack his mission.

While Hunter was celebrating, Saturday was a frustrating night for Las Vegas super heavyweight Brett Rather. The UNLV boxer had to settle for silver in falling to Dominic Breazale of Los Angeles, 18-17.

Rather was looking to take the same path to the Olympics as Hunter. But his failure to stand atop the podium meant the end of the road for his dream. Only the gold medalist advances to the Continental Americas tournament.

The back-and-forth bout came down to the last second of the third and final round, when Breazale landed a scoring blow just before the bell to take the gold.

"I did everything I could do," Rather said. "I outworked him. I outhustled him. He didn't beat me."

Rather said he wasn't sure what his boxing future held.

"I think I'm going to take some time off and figure things out," he said. "I know I had a good week. But anytime you get second place, it's hard to get excited about how you performed.

"I'm still trying to finish up my degree (at UNLV). I've had a couple of people talk to me about turning pro. Maybe if I get some offers, that's what I'll do."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.