Boxer Marcus Browne Punches His Way to 2012 Olympics

With his quarterfinal victory at the Americas Qualifier tournament in Rio de Janeiro, U.S. light heavyweight boxer Marcus Browne has clinched a spot at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He's still focused on getting better, he says. Guess what motivates him as he sets his sights on London this summer.

With a May 8 quarterfinal victory at the Americas Qualifier competition in Rio de Janeiro, boxer Marcus Browne (seen here, at left) has officially guaranteed himself a spot competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Browne is the first U.S. boxer to qualify at the event, which features the top boxers from North, Central and South America. The left-hander won a 12–6 decision over the Dominican Republic’s Felix Valera in the light heavyweight quarterfinal contest, locking up a top-four finish in the tournament — and a berth at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Now 21, Browne began boxing at age 13 after following a friend to a boxing gym. He recently became the 2012 USA Boxing national champion, and is focused on getting even better. “I have a lot of things I need to improve on; you never learn anything completely,” he told Sports Illustrated reporter Stephen Hart. “I’m never satisfied with any accomplishment. I always want to dream bigger.”

His biggest dream, of course, is to stand on the victor's podium in London, he revealed to Sports Illustrated: “I’m going there to win gold.”