BoxingScene is sad to report that former junior middleweight contender Rhoshii Shepperd Wells was killed yesterday in Las Vegas. He
was 31 years old. Wells leaves behind six children.
According to sources, he was gunned down walking through a bad Las Vegas neighborhood with his son. An altercation broke out
leaving Wells with a gunshot wound to the torso. Wells' son was not harmed in the incident.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Coroner's Office both confirm the passing of Wells. According to a
police report, officers and emergency medical personnel responded yesterday to a call at 5:42 PM local time that a man had been shot
at the apartments at 531 North Lamb Boulevard.
That man was later identified as "The Great One" Rhoshii Wells. Wells was transported to University Medical Center where he later died.
Today law enforcement agencies are on the hunt for a man nicknamed "Tallulah" in connection with the crime. He is described as being
an African-American male in his late 20s with a medium build, close cropped hair and a Louisiana accent. He was last seen driving a
late model red four door compact car with a temporary license plate taped to the rear window. He is considered armed and dangerous
and should not be approached.
"He was a friend to everybody," remembered former WBO heavyweight titlist Lamon Brewster, who had been friends with Wells since
1993 and described their relationship as being like brothers. "He was just that type of guy that you liked him in the ring, out of the ring. It's
sad because he has six kids and his kids will never get to know how great of a man their father was.
"He never got the credit that he should have got. He's a much better fighter than people knew he was. He was like a shining star that
never got to shine.
A native of Austin, TX, Rhoshii, whose name was a takeoff of Ahmad Rashad, one of his father Frederick's favorite athletes, earned a
spot on the 1996 Olympic team as a middleweight at age 19.
"This is great," Wells told the Austin American-Statesman in 1996. "Knowing that there are only 12 people going to the Olympics (in
boxing) and I'm one of the 12.
Though he had little international experience, Wells won his first three bouts before losing to eventual gold medalist Ariel Hernández of
Cuba. He would walk away with the bronze.
Wells moved his base of operation to Las Vegas to begin his pro career, which kicked off with a four-round decision win over Cordell
Parker in July of 1997.
The notoriety of being a member of the Olympic squad provided few dividends in the paid ranks for Wells. Often buried on the
undercards of better known fighters, Wells wouldn't get his big shot until 2003, when he challenged then-undefeated Alejandro "Terra"
Garcia for the WBA light-middleweight title. Wells was stopped after the tenth round.
Two years later Wells fought a rematch with Garcia, losing by ninth round stoppage. That would be Wells' final fight, finishing his career
with a 18-2-2 (10 KO) record.
Wells was tabbed to take part in The Contender Season 3, but never competed after failing a reaction test on the first episode.
After being inspired by the Rocky movies, Wells begged his father to let him box. His father relented and at age 11 brought him down to
the Pan Am Boxing Center to pursue the sport.
At 16 Wells and his family relocated to Riverdale, GA to better acquaint themselves with Atlanta, where the 1996 Olympics were held.
There Wells hooked up with Evander Holyfield who agreed to pay for Wells' travel and training expenses for the '96 Games.
Anyone with information is urged to contact either the Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555
was 31 years old. Wells leaves behind six children.
According to sources, he was gunned down walking through a bad Las Vegas neighborhood with his son. An altercation broke out
leaving Wells with a gunshot wound to the torso. Wells' son was not harmed in the incident.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Coroner's Office both confirm the passing of Wells. According to a
police report, officers and emergency medical personnel responded yesterday to a call at 5:42 PM local time that a man had been shot
at the apartments at 531 North Lamb Boulevard.
That man was later identified as "The Great One" Rhoshii Wells. Wells was transported to University Medical Center where he later died.
Today law enforcement agencies are on the hunt for a man nicknamed "Tallulah" in connection with the crime. He is described as being
an African-American male in his late 20s with a medium build, close cropped hair and a Louisiana accent. He was last seen driving a
late model red four door compact car with a temporary license plate taped to the rear window. He is considered armed and dangerous
and should not be approached.
"He was a friend to everybody," remembered former WBO heavyweight titlist Lamon Brewster, who had been friends with Wells since
1993 and described their relationship as being like brothers. "He was just that type of guy that you liked him in the ring, out of the ring. It's
sad because he has six kids and his kids will never get to know how great of a man their father was.
"He never got the credit that he should have got. He's a much better fighter than people knew he was. He was like a shining star that
never got to shine.
A native of Austin, TX, Rhoshii, whose name was a takeoff of Ahmad Rashad, one of his father Frederick's favorite athletes, earned a
spot on the 1996 Olympic team as a middleweight at age 19.
"This is great," Wells told the Austin American-Statesman in 1996. "Knowing that there are only 12 people going to the Olympics (in
boxing) and I'm one of the 12.
Though he had little international experience, Wells won his first three bouts before losing to eventual gold medalist Ariel Hernández of
Cuba. He would walk away with the bronze.
Wells moved his base of operation to Las Vegas to begin his pro career, which kicked off with a four-round decision win over Cordell
Parker in July of 1997.
The notoriety of being a member of the Olympic squad provided few dividends in the paid ranks for Wells. Often buried on the
undercards of better known fighters, Wells wouldn't get his big shot until 2003, when he challenged then-undefeated Alejandro "Terra"
Garcia for the WBA light-middleweight title. Wells was stopped after the tenth round.
Two years later Wells fought a rematch with Garcia, losing by ninth round stoppage. That would be Wells' final fight, finishing his career
with a 18-2-2 (10 KO) record.
Wells was tabbed to take part in The Contender Season 3, but never competed after failing a reaction test on the first episode.
After being inspired by the Rocky movies, Wells begged his father to let him box. His father relented and at age 11 brought him down to
the Pan Am Boxing Center to pursue the sport.
At 16 Wells and his family relocated to Riverdale, GA to better acquaint themselves with Atlanta, where the 1996 Olympics were held.
There Wells hooked up with Evander Holyfield who agreed to pay for Wells' travel and training expenses for the '96 Games.
Anyone with information is urged to contact either the Homicide Section at (702) 828-3521 or Crime Stoppers at (702) 385-5555
Anyone involved in boxing here in South TX in the early - mid 90's
should remember Wells. We knew him as, Rhoshii Shepard. He was
the "little" boxer from Austin who held his chin to high during his
bouts, had no power, awkward footwork, was a little to flashy but
somehow always found a way to win, and did so often.
He relocated to Atlanta (from Austin) and made the 96 Olympic
team by beating another former South TX boxer, Ronald Simms.
When I heard the news (from my brother, Hector) I started thinking
back to the days when he'd be at every smoker here in San Antonio.
I must have about 20 of his fights on video. I also thought about how
sad it was when I saw him trying to qualify for the Contender a few
years ago. He was eliminated before training even began. It was sad
to see such a nice person struggling with some of the drills they
were putting him through.
The saddest part of reading the article below was when i came
across one of my biggest fears as a father. I read, "he was gunned
down walking through a bad Las Vegas neighborhood with his son".
This is probably every fathers nightmare. Being killed in front of your
own child. No son, daughter deserves this. He had 6 children.
It's one of those incidents that makes you look up and question if we
should continue to believe in "magic".
should remember Wells. We knew him as, Rhoshii Shepard. He was
the "little" boxer from Austin who held his chin to high during his
bouts, had no power, awkward footwork, was a little to flashy but
somehow always found a way to win, and did so often.
He relocated to Atlanta (from Austin) and made the 96 Olympic
team by beating another former South TX boxer, Ronald Simms.
When I heard the news (from my brother, Hector) I started thinking
back to the days when he'd be at every smoker here in San Antonio.
I must have about 20 of his fights on video. I also thought about how
sad it was when I saw him trying to qualify for the Contender a few
years ago. He was eliminated before training even began. It was sad
to see such a nice person struggling with some of the drills they
were putting him through.
The saddest part of reading the article below was when i came
across one of my biggest fears as a father. I read, "he was gunned
down walking through a bad Las Vegas neighborhood with his son".
This is probably every fathers nightmare. Being killed in front of your
own child. No son, daughter deserves this. He had 6 children.
It's one of those incidents that makes you look up and question if we
should continue to believe in "magic".
Hundreds mourn slain Olympian
Friend recalls boxer's 'heart of gold'
Rhoshii Wells often referred to himself as the "forgotten Olympian."
But on Saturday, it was clear he was not a forgotten friend, son or father
Hundreds of mourners crowded into the Calvary Southern Baptist Church in North Las
Vegas to pay tribute to the 31-year-old boxer, who won a bronze medal during the 1996
Olympics in Atlanta.
"As a pro, Rhoshii excelled; that fight outside the ring was the one he lost," said his father,
Frederick.
Wells was gunned down Aug. 11 as he walked through an apartment complex at 531 N.
Lamb Blvd. with his 4-year-old son, Prince.
Wells' neighbors said the struggling boxer routinely spoke about moving his family out of
the neighborhood. He said he needed just one fight to earn enough money to leave. Wells
drove his neighbors to work to ensure they too had a chance for a better life.
"He don't ever have to worry about catching another fight because God's got his back now,"
said one woman, who accepted Wells' offer for a ride to work and just recently moved out of
the apartment complex.
Wells was remembered as a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. Wells hadn't fought
since 2005, but despite financial struggles, he always smiled and encouraged others,
friends said.
"I loved that dude," said Wells' friend Benitez Christian, who told the packed church how his
friend would call him constantly at work and ask him what he was doing, even though he
was doing nothing different than he was when Wells called the first time. "He had a heart of
gold."
Wells left behind five children ranging in age from 3 months to 11 years old. His 9-year-old
daughter, Imani, who was out of town when Wells was shot, attempted to read a poem
dedicated to her father. She broke down and was escorted back to her seat after just a few
words.
"I don't understand," Wells' mother, Linda, said through tears.
Wells' slaying saddened not only his friends, but strangers in the community. Las Vegas
Mayor Oscar Goodman sent a representative to read a statement Saturday. "As an
Olympian, he made our nation proud," Goodman wrote.
Roger Randolph, 26, was arrested in connection with the killing just days after the shooting.
On Saturday, no mention was made of Randolph, who told the Review-Journal that Wells
punched him and robbed him before the shooting. Randolph said he left the apartment
complex, but later returned and shot Wells in self-defense.
Randolph's account does not fit the description mourners offered of Wells.
"You guys raised a champion," one mourner, Calvin Clark, said to Wells' parents.
Friend recalls boxer's 'heart of gold'
Rhoshii Wells often referred to himself as the "forgotten Olympian."
But on Saturday, it was clear he was not a forgotten friend, son or father
Hundreds of mourners crowded into the Calvary Southern Baptist Church in North Las
Vegas to pay tribute to the 31-year-old boxer, who won a bronze medal during the 1996
Olympics in Atlanta.
"As a pro, Rhoshii excelled; that fight outside the ring was the one he lost," said his father,
Frederick.
Wells was gunned down Aug. 11 as he walked through an apartment complex at 531 N.
Lamb Blvd. with his 4-year-old son, Prince.
Wells' neighbors said the struggling boxer routinely spoke about moving his family out of
the neighborhood. He said he needed just one fight to earn enough money to leave. Wells
drove his neighbors to work to ensure they too had a chance for a better life.
"He don't ever have to worry about catching another fight because God's got his back now,"
said one woman, who accepted Wells' offer for a ride to work and just recently moved out of
the apartment complex.
Wells was remembered as a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. Wells hadn't fought
since 2005, but despite financial struggles, he always smiled and encouraged others,
friends said.
"I loved that dude," said Wells' friend Benitez Christian, who told the packed church how his
friend would call him constantly at work and ask him what he was doing, even though he
was doing nothing different than he was when Wells called the first time. "He had a heart of
gold."
Wells left behind five children ranging in age from 3 months to 11 years old. His 9-year-old
daughter, Imani, who was out of town when Wells was shot, attempted to read a poem
dedicated to her father. She broke down and was escorted back to her seat after just a few
words.
"I don't understand," Wells' mother, Linda, said through tears.
Wells' slaying saddened not only his friends, but strangers in the community. Las Vegas
Mayor Oscar Goodman sent a representative to read a statement Saturday. "As an
Olympian, he made our nation proud," Goodman wrote.
Roger Randolph, 26, was arrested in connection with the killing just days after the shooting.
On Saturday, no mention was made of Randolph, who told the Review-Journal that Wells
punched him and robbed him before the shooting. Randolph said he left the apartment
complex, but later returned and shot Wells in self-defense.
Randolph's account does not fit the description mourners offered of Wells.
"You guys raised a champion," one mourner, Calvin Clark, said to Wells' parents.
Final 10 COUNT for former South TX boxer,
Rhoshii Wells.
Rhoshii Wells.
(above) Wells parents (right) Coffin
with Wells' boxing equipment.
with Wells' boxing equipment.
Roger Randolph
26-year-old arrested
in Las Vegas slaying
of former Olympian
26-year-old arrested
in Las Vegas slaying
of former Olympian
| ARRESTED! |