Three Boxers Leave Their Teams

U.S. light heavyweight Christopher Downs's victory at the World Boxing Championships last night in Chicago was overshadowed by news that two Ugandan boxers and an Armenian fighter left their teams.

It appeared the missing athletes left voluntarily and have been in contact with family and friends, Chicago police spokesman John Mirabelli said. Their names weren't immediately available.

Downs, 32, the oldest member of the U.S. team and a veteran of the Iraq war, stayed even with Ismayl Sillakh of Ukraine, one of the top-ranked light heavyweights in the world.

Downs broke a 23-all tie with 10 seconds left as chants of "U-S-A" competed with cheers from fans rooting for the Ukrainian. He moved ahead with another scoring hit shortly afterward, and after the referee handed out penalties to both boxers in the final seconds, Downs won, 27-25.

"I need a drink," U.S. Coach Daniel Campbell said.

Downs's win was the fourth U.S. victory of the day. Lightweight Sadam Ali, welterweight Demetrius Andrade and flyweight Rau'shee Warren also won.

-- From News Services