S.F.'s Miller Edges Wasson 7-6, Advances to Olympic Trials Final Four!

By Ryan Maquiñana

Norcalboxing.net

A jubilant Miller (left) relishes the good news from the judges, while an unhappy Wasson pulls away. (Norcalboxing.net)

San Francisco's Raquel Miller edged Andrecia Wasson of Centerline, Mich., 7-6, in Wednesday night's Olympic Trials action from the Northern Quest Resort in Airway Heights, Wash.

Sweet revenge was the theme for the Bayview native as she avenged a loss to the woman who eliminated her in last year's National PAL middleweight tournament. While Miller was repeatedly caught by the counterpunching Wasson in their initial meeting, tonight's clash was a tactical affair that mostly took place on the inside.

"It feels good to knock [Wasson] out the Trials after she knocked me out of the PAL. The battle continues and I'm excited to move on," Miller said.

With the bout tied heading into the fourth and final round, Miller was able to outhustle her counterpunching foe with the help of instructions from trainer Ben Bautista to catch an oncoming Wasson with the left hand.

Miller wacks Wasson with a check hook in the fourth. (Norcalboxing.net)

"The plan was to attack the chest because [Wasson] swings and high and wide," said Bautista of SFC Boxing in Downtown San Francisco. "On the inside, Raquel repositioned herself after punching. She went underneath her punches and threw that left hook, which was more of a check hook."

Miller offered her take on her corner's strategy.

"We've been working on taking a step back on the inside, so the gameplan was to stay low, because [Wasson] is an explosive fighter," she said. "I was focused on stepping back and making sure I planted my feet and threw, then reposition. I wasn't as aggressive as yesterday, but I didn't want to make careless mistakes. It was more about being relaxed in there."

Tonight's matchup mirrored Miller's opening-bout loss to Tika Hemingway than her win Tuesday night against Tiffanie Ward, which was marked by Miller's movement on the outside. The difference was Miller's composure.

"I'm still learning and getting more experience," Miller said. "I'm starting to feel more comfortable fighting in front of a big crowd and not freaking out when someone scores with a punch."

Miller celebrated her 27th birthday in style, as the victory sends her into the first of two Challengers' Bracket finals against Baltimore's Franchon Crews, who also emerged triumphant in a close bout against San Diego's Tiffanie Hearn, 27-26.

"I've seen [Crews] fight before," Miller said. "She's aggressive, but we'll work on the gameplan tonight."

Affectionately known as "Ms. Pretty Beast" by her supporters, Miller would not let this writer get off the phone before sending out this message:

"Thank you so much for all of the love and positivity and birthday wishes," Miller said. "I can feel them! Keep me in your prayers and keep pushing me! Tomorrow's go time to show up again and get us another win."

Come back to Norcalboxing.net later for more coverage!

Boxing correspondent Ryan Maquiñana is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at norcalboxing.net, or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.