Local holds out hope for spot in Olympics

Michael Hunter might fight in Beijing after all.

The Las Vegas boxer, who failed to qualify for the Olympics in April after losing his super heavyweight semifinal bout at the Americas qualifying tournament in Guatemala, could be needed to help fill out the field.

Russian boxer Islam Timurziev, who defeated Hunter in November in Chicago at the world championships to claim a spot in the Olympics, reportedly is nursing a shoulder injury, which could prevent him from competing in Beijing.

"That would be a blessing, a real blessing, if I got to go," Hunter said from his Las Vegas home this week, before leaving for USA Boxing's training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo. "I feel terrible for Islam. He's a great guy and a really good fighter. But I've learned that things sometimes have a way of happening."

According to USA Boxing, Hunter's Olympic status might not be known until late July. The International Amateur Boxing Association must approve the change, and until it does, USA Boxing will not comment. Olympic boxing competition begins Aug. 9.

Hunter, who got sick while in Guatemala, possibly because of something he ate, said he won't use his weakened state as an excuse for his loss to Venezuela's Jose Payares.

"That's not the way I am," Hunter said. "He beat me fair and square. I lost."

Meanwhile, Hunter and his mother, Gwen, wanted to clear up any confusion regarding his relationship with local trainers Bobby Chiodini and Mike Newson.

Hunter has not talked to Chiodini or Newson since leaving town in September to train with USA Boxing. Hunter said his relationship with the two, who run Genesis Gym, ended then.

"I love those guys, but they weren't right for me," Hunter said. "The Olympic coaches, they're great. They've taught me how to fight in the international style."

His mother said she hasn't talked to Chiodini in months. Chiodini said he talked to her a couple of weeks ago attempting to reach her son.

"I don't know what he's talking about," she said. "We haven't dealt with them since Michael left for Colorado Springs last September. They were there to help Michael with his strength and conditioning, not to teach him boxing."

Chiodini said Thursday he's disappointed.

"It's sad it came to this," he said. "But he's a great kid. I love him, and I wish Mike nothing but the best."

Hunter isn't sure what his future holds if he doesn't make it to the Olympics.

"There were a lot of things going through my mind after I lost (in Guatemala)," he said. "I was talking to a lot of people. I'm a 19-year-old whose body is still filling out. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I may stay amateur. I may go pro. We'll see what happens (with the Olympics) and go from there."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.