Rhoshii Wells Explained

Rhoshii Wells (December 30, 1976 – August 11, 2008) was an American boxer, who won the bronze medal in the Middleweight Division at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He was born in Austin, Texas.

Amateur career

Olympic Results

Pro career

Nicknamed "The Great One", Wells began his professional career in 1997, and got off to a 17-0-2 start in the Light Middleweight division, setting up a shot at WBA Light Middleweight Title holder Alejandro Garcia in 2003. He was ahead on the scorecards before Garcia stopped him in the 11th round.[1] In 2005, Wells had the opportunity for a rematch with Garcia but was defeated via TKO in the 9th round.

He attempted a comeback on the 3rd season of the boxing reality TV series, The Contender on ESPN, but was eliminated before the competition began.

Death

Rhoshii Wells was shot and killed in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 11, 2008.[2] Police arrested 26-year-old Roger Randolph, who claimed that he shot Wells in self-defense after Wells punched him and robbed him of $100. The District Attorney stated that they would seek the death penalty against Randolph.[3]

In May 2012, Randolph was sentenced to 20 years to life for murder with a deadly weapon, plus one to 12 years for discharging weapon where a person might be endangered.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Thomas Gerbasi . Rhoshii Wells 1976–2008 . 2008-08-14 . 2008-08-15 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20080822032219/http://www.maxboxing.com/Gerbasi/Gerbasi081408.asp . 2008-08-22.
  2. http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=15378 Title Challenger, Olympic Rhoshii Wells Dead at 31
  3. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/more/01/06/olympic-slaying.ap/index.html DA Seeks Death Penalty in Slaying of Former Olympic Boxer
  4. News: Vegas Man Gets 21 To Life In Olympic Boxer Slaying . 2012-05-02 . CBS Local Media . Associated Press . 2013-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221222224/http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2012/05/02/vegas-man-gets-21-to-life-in-olympic-boxer-slaying/ . 2014-02-21 . dead .