Whitfield saw James Lester defeat Israel Crespo in a 6-5 decision to win the light flyweight division finals in the Police Athletic League Boxing Championships at Warren Road Gym.

"It was very tough not being in there," Whitfield said. "I had a tough break with the referee."

Whitfield's tough break came in his quarterfinal bout against Crespo Thursday night. Whitfield, of Augusta, was disqualified for the first time in his six-year boxing career when referee Becky Suazo stopped the fight in the third round. Suazo deducted points from Whitfield three times - wrestling and pushing.

With Whitfield - the top-ranked boxer in the light flyweight (106 pounds) rankings according to USA Boxing - out of the tournament, the door was open for Crespo and Lester.

Lester danced his way around the ring the first three rounds, trying to avoid Crespo's vicious right hook. He successfully stayed away from Crespo and then became more aggressive in the fourth - and final - round.

Jill Emery, left, of NYC, goes against April Alavez of Baltimore, MD, during the 139 lb. bout at the finals of the PAL Boxing Tournament at the Warren Road Community Center Saturday evening. MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF

"I knew I had to get out in the fourth round and throw more punches and get more points," said Lester, of Detroit. "It was kind of tough because I had to use my boxing skills and keep him on the outside."

Lester's win came in his first open tournament since dropping down from the 112-pound weight class a month ago. Winning the PAL championships gives Lester an automatic bid in the U.S. Championships in March 2003. The U.S. Championships is the next step for boxers hoping to make the U.S. team for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

"I'm real excited," Lester said. "I just have to go back to the gym in Detroit and train harder."

Whitfield said he will also continue to train for a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team. His next major tournament will be the 2003 U.S. Championships. He earned an at-large bid in the U.S. Championships after winning the Golden Gloves tournament in June.