The Neutral Corner

The Associated Press is reporting from Beijing that U.S. bantamweight Gary Russell Jr. will miss the Olympics after collapsing while trying to make weight. Russell -- at 119 pounds -- was considered by many to be a medal contender.

The story read in part: U.S. coach Dan Campbell said Russell, a two-time national champion, was found unconscious and severely dehydrated early Friday morning by his roommate, light flyweight Luis Yanez.

Medical personnel at the athletes' village rehydrated Russell, but he wasn't healthy enough to participate in Friday's weigh-in.

"We became alarmed a couple of days ago when we saw he wasn't sweating like he should," Campbell said after Friday's draw. "When these kids try to make weight, sometimes they cut corners. What we believe is he did not increase his fluid intake after we told him to."

Russell hadn't competed at 119 pounds since the world championships in Chicago last fall. He has fought at 125 pounds or more in every test event and dual meet since, but Campbell and Russell both thought he would have no trouble making weight.

The 20-year-old Russell, from the Washington D.C. area, is 5-3 and has consistently fought between 119 and 125 pounds. In 2005, he won the National Golden Gloves and the U.S. National Boxing Championships. It has been reported that the 20-year-old southpaw has won more than 160 amateur fights while losing just 10.

The U.S. team has just eight remaining boxers, its smallest contingent since the 1948 London Olympics. World champions Demetrius Andrade and Rau'shee Warren both made weight Friday.

-- CASSIDY