Yanez ban upheld

[July 15, 2008]  HAUTACAM, France (AP) -- USA Boxing's judicial committee upheld the organization's decision to ban Luis Yanez from the Olympic team Monday, leaving the light flyweight with just one more chance to make it to Beijing.

Yanez is expected to appeal his punishment to an independent arbitrator this week, hoping for a decision before his eight teammates leave for China next week.

Yanez was kicked off the roster July 1 for skipping more than three weeks of workouts last month at the team's residency training program in Colorado Springs. Coach Dan Campbell and USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman said they didn't hear from Yanez, who left June 4 for his native Duncanville, Texas, until shortly before they sent a formal letter setting a final deadline for his return.

Yanez, a two-time U.S. champion who won a gold medal at the Pan-Am Games last year, missed a training trip to Argentina in late June, instead attending a send-off dinner in Dallas where a Texas state representative gave him a commemorative plaque.

When Yanez finally got back in contact with his coaches, he was reluctant to say why he had missed workouts. He eventually claimed he was caring for his sister and her four children while she went through rehabilitation for an addiction to crack cocaine, but the team still barred Yanez from the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Yanez retained a lawyer and requested an appeal hearing Friday in which he presented evidence that he claimed would show he had attempted to contact team officials during his absence. Yanez also asked for mercy from the judicial committee, claiming his absence didn't justify crushing his Olympic dreams.

Millman and Campbell, who declined comment on the hearing, were expected to say the evidence was irrelevant because Yanez's lengthy absence was unexcused.

USA Boxing's residency program, reinstituted by Campbell after a 24-year absence, has caused friction with several boxers who wanted more work with their hometown coaches. Campbell demanded residency to foster teamwork and to improve the long-struggling team's adaptation to the international game.

Most of the eight remaining boxers who will head to Beijing now say they appreciate the program's benefits, but Campbell also had disciplinary problems with light welterweight Javier Molina, who missed more training time than allowed. Campbell has been flexible with other fighters who needed time off to raise money for the trip to Beijing.

The American team, which spent last weekend in New York City before its final week of preparation before the Olympics, plans to head for Beijing with eight boxers in its smallest contingent in 60 years.

[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]

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