Program looks for ways to get off mat

Javier Molina complained about being away from his friends and family. Gary Russell Jr. griped about not training with his personal coach. Luis Yanez caused a fuss over his contentious stay in Colorado Springs.

The reinvented boxing resident program sputtered at the Olympic Training Center under beleaguered national coach Dan Campbell, then the U.S. flamed out in Beijing, failing to win a gold or silver medal for the first time.

Now, it's time for change.

Before the 2012 London Games, boxers will work with their private instructors, the person who replaces Campbell, and recently appointed high performance director Patrick Borkowski. If there's a resident program, it will last only a few months.

"It will be much more of an integrated team idea," said Jim Millman, chief executive officer of Colorado Springs-based USA Boxing. "The national coach brings benefits and values, and the personal coach has the history and the experience and the trust. You want to bring that together. That's a huge change, and I think it's going to be a major plus."

USA Boxing has received 2012 commitments from reigning flyweight world champion Rau'shee Warren, bidding to become the first American to fight in three Olympics, and super-heavyweight Michael Hunter, who narrowly missed an Olympic berth.

Welterweight Demetrius Andrade, middleweight Shawn Estrada and heavyweight Deontay Wilder signed professional contracts last year. A bantamweight, Russell has a pro fight scheduled this month, and Yanez, a light-flyweight, and lightweight Sadam Ali are expected to make their pro debuts in February.

Millman expects boxers preparing for London to receive medical benefits, insurance and national team stipends - Warren got free room and board and $2,000 a month from the U.S. Olympic Committee in 2008 - without living at the OTC.

"How can we let them tap those benefits but not get hung up on moving there?" Millman said. "If you're 20 and single and in a very difficult home environment, you might live in Colorado Springs. If you've got a tremendous support system in Boston and big family commitments, you may spend much less time in Colorado."

Chances are Molina, a light-welterweight, and featherweight Raynell Williams will decide whether to remain amateur after Campbell's successor is hired.

The application deadline is Jan. 15, with a June 1 projected start date. In 2007, Campbell made $70,250 and had $13,473 in employee benefits and deferred compensation, according to USA Boxing's latest income tax returns.

"We gave Dan the support to execute his plan and his system," Millman said. "There are parts of it that worked. There are parts of it that didn't work. We'd like to have the best of both going forward. ... We are looking for a guy who has shown an Olympic-caliber record of success in training an athlete."

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