Rau'shee Warren (/ˈrʃ/; born February 13, 1987) is an American professional boxer who held the WBA (Undisputed), and IBO bantamweight titles from 2016 to 2017. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships, as well as bronze at the 2005 and 2011 World Championships, all in the flyweight division.

Rau'shee Warren
Born (1987-02-13) February 13, 1987 (age 37)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBaby Pit
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Height5 ft 6+12 in (169 cm)
Reach64+12 in (164 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins19
Wins by KO5
Losses4
No contests1
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2007 Chicago Flyweight
Bronze medal – third place 2005 Mianyang Flyweight
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Baku Flyweight

Amateur career

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At the 1st AIBA American 2004 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2004, at the age of 17, he upset Rayonta Whitfield and Diego Hurtado and international competitors Raúl Castañeda (Mexico), and Miguel Miranda (Venezuela) to qualify as the U.S. boxing team's 106-pound light flyweight representative at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was both the youngest boxer in the games and the youngest US male in all sports. He was eliminated by the favored Zou Shiming of China in the first round.

He moved up to flyweight soon after and in 2005 and 2006 became US champion. At the 2005 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Mianyang he avenged a previous loss to European champion Georgy Balakshin before losing to the Korean surprise winner Lee Ok-Sung and having to settle for bronze.

In 2006 Light middleweight Akima Stocks and Warren were named USA Boxing's 2006 Athletes of the Year. That year he also moved up to fight as a bantamweight, and lost to highly regarded Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in November.

In 2007 he returned to the flyweight ranks and repeated as US champion.

At the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships in Chicago he defeated European Champion Georgy Balakshin in a rematch and Samir Mammadov to reach the finals. In the finals he defeated Thai Somjit Jongjohor.

In 2008 he became the first American boxer in more than 30 years to compete at two Olympic Games, accomplishing something not done since Davey Lee Armstrong in 1972 and 1976.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Warren lost in the first round, again to Lee Ok-Sung, in a controversial decision given that he assumed that he had won on points.

He remained in the amateur ranks and ascended to the bantamweight division again at the US Nationals 2009 where he controversially lost his semifinal 19:19 (countback loss) to eventual champion Jesus Magdaleno.

While competing for the Los Angeles Matadors in the World Series of Boxing, Warren secured a Bronze in the US nationals in 2009, gold in 2010, and in 2011 a bronze at the Worlds. A gold medal in the 2011 individual competition (they also compete for team titles) at the WSB secured champions in 5 WSB weight classes the first Olympic slots, so participation in WSB saw Warren's first near miss at qualifying (only top 2 ranked boxers after team competition selected for individual title fight). Warren won the 2011 US Olympic Trials and came home with the Bronze after the 2011 AIBA World Championships, securing his place in a 3rd Olympics, unprecedented for an American boxer, at only 25 years old.

On August 3, 2012 at the London Olympics, Rau'shee Warren failed to get past the first round of the brackets yet again for the third time of his amateur career losing to Nordine Oubaali of France in a close decision of 19-18.

World Series of Boxing record

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7 Wins, 0 Losses
Result Record Team Opponent (Team) Score Date Location Notes
Win 7–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Donchai Thathi (Bangkok Elephants) 2-1 2011-12-18   Los Angeles, U.S.
Win 6–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Khabibulla Ismail-Akhunov (Astana Arlans) 3-0 2011-11-13   Los Angeles, U.S.
Win 5–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Mirzhan Rakhimzhanov (Astana Arlans) 3-0 2011-04-09   Astana, Kazakhstan Semi-finals first leg
Win 4–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Braulio Ávila (Mexico Guerreros) 3-0 2011-02-04   Mexico City, Mexico
Win 3–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Luis Miguel Diaz (Miami Gallos) 3-0 2011-01-30   Los Angeles, U.S.
Win 2–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Ronny Beblik (Memphis Force) 3-0 2010-12-16   Memphis, U.S.
Win 1–0 Los Angeles Matadors   Elias Emigdio (Mexico Guerreros) 3-0 2010-11-28   Los Angeles, U.S.

Professional career

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Warren made his long-awaited professional debut on November 9, 2012, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Luis Rivera.

Having won thirteen of his first fourteen fights (the only blemish being a three-round no contest against Javier Gallo on December 12, 2014), Warren attempted to win his first world championship—the WBA (Undisputed) and vacant IBO bantamweight titles—on August 2, 2015, but lost a debatable split decision to Juan Carlos Payano.[1]

In a rematch with Payano on June 18, 2016, Warren gained revenge by winning both titles with a majority decision.[2]

However, Warren lost in his first defense to Zhanat Zhakiyanov by split decision.[3]

On 29 July 2017, Warren faced McJoye Arroyo in an IBF super flyweight eliminator. Warren outworked Arroyo in most of the rounds, often being the busier, sharper and tougher fighter. The scorecards read 118-110, 117-109 and 117-109 if favor of Warren.[4]

In his next fight against Juan Gabriel Medina, Warren had another dominant performance and defeated his opponent via unanimous decision, winning every single round on all of the scorecards.[5]

On September 5, 2018, it was announced that Warren would face former Olympics opponent Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight title, previously vacated by Luis Nery.[6] Both fighters fought well, but it was Oubaali who was the bigger puncher and landed more eye-catching shots. In addition to that, Oubaali was simply busier and sharper than Warren, which ultimately made the difference. The scorecards read 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113 in favor of Oubaali.[7][8]

On 15 February, Warren faced Gilberto Mendoza. Warren outclassed Mendoza and won the fight comfortably on all three scorecards, 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91.[9]

Professional boxing record

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24 fights 19 wins 4 losses
By knockout 5 0
By decision 14 4
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Loss 19–4 (1) Francisco Pedroza Portillo UD 6 Aug 20, 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida, US
23 Win 19–3 (1) Damien Vázquez KO 2 (10), 2:55 Aug 14, 2021 Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, US
22 Win 18–3 (1) Sharone Carter UD 10 Feb 20, 2021 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, U.S.
21 Win 17–3 (1) Gilberto Mendoza UD 10 Feb 15, 2020 Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
20 Loss 16–3 (1) Nordine Oubaali UD 12 Jan 19, 2019 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For vacant WBC bantamweight title
19 Win 16–2 (1) Juan Gabriel Medina UD 8 Apr 21, 2018 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 15–2 (1) McJoe Arroyo UD 12 Jul 29, 2017 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Loss 14–2 (1) Zhanat Zhakiyanov SD 12 Feb 10, 2017 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. Lost WBA (Undisputed) and IBO bantamweight titles
16 Win 14–1 (1) Juan Carlos Payano MD 12 Jun 18, 2016 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Won WBA (Undisputed) and IBO bantamweight titles
15 Loss 13–1 (1) Juan Carlos Payano SD 12 Aug 2, 2015 Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida, U.S. For WBA (Undisputed) and vacant IBO bantamweight titles
14 Win 13–0 (1) Javier Gallo TKO 1 (10), 0:52 Mar 6, 2015 MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
13 NC 12–0 (1) Javier Gallo NC 1 (10), 1:08 Dec 12, 2014 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Gallo cut from accidental head clash
12 Win 12–0 Jose Luis Araiza UD 10 Sep 6, 2014 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Ricardo Alvarado UD 10 May 2, 2014 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 German Meraz UD 8 Jan 25, 2014 D.C. Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Jose Silveira UD 8 Dec 14, 2013 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Jhon Alberto Molina UD 4 Oct 14, 2013 BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Omar Gonzalez UD 6 Sep 2, 2013 Cowboys Dancehall, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jesus Bayron UD 6 Jul 5, 2013 Cumberland County Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jiovanne Fuentes TKO 2 (4), 1:04 Jun 22, 2013 Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Angel Carvajal TKO 4 (4), 2:05 May 18, 2013 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Richard Hernandez TKO 2 (4), 2:04 Feb 16, 2013 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 David Reyes UD 4 Dec 8, 2012 Business Expo Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Luis Rivera UD 4 Nov 9, 2012 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ "Payano Edges Rau'shee Warren With Split Nod Win". BoxingScene. August 3, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  2. ^ Christ, Scott (June 18, 2016). "PBC on NBC results: Rau'shee Warren edges Juan Carlos Payano to win WBA belt". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  3. ^ "Zhakiyanov Overcomes Knockdowns, Upsets Rau'shee Warren - Boxing News". Boxingscene.com. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 2017-02-11.
  4. ^ "Rau'shee Warren Wins Unanimous Decision Over McJoe Arroyo". BoxingScene.com. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  5. ^ "Broner vs. Vargas - LIVE Results From Brooklyn". BoxingScene.com. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  6. ^ "Rau'shee Warren vs. Nordine Oubaali For Vacant WBC Title". BoxingScene.com. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  7. ^ "Warren vs Oubaali - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  8. ^ Christ, Scott (2019-01-19). "Pacquiao vs Broner results: Nordine Oubaali outpoints Rau'shee Warren, wins WBC title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  9. ^ "Rau'shee Warren bounces back from loss, dominates Gilberto Mendoza". The Ring. 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Ronald Siler
U.S. flyweight champion
2005–2007
Next:
Randy Caballero
Previous:
Louie Byrd
U.S. Golden Gloves
flyweight champion

2010
Next:
Louie Byrd
Previous:
Jessie Magdaleno
U.S. bantamweight champion
2010
Next:
John Franklin
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by IBO bantamweight champion
June 18, 2016 – February 10, 2017
Vacant after loss to Zhakiyanov
Vacant
Title next held by
Michael Dasmariñas
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by
Juan Carlos Payano
WBA bantamweight champion
Undisputed title

June 18, 2016 – February 10, 2017
Succeeded by