LAS VEGAS — The final seconds of his 112-pound title fight with three-time U.S. champion Roberto Benitez were winding down, and Raul Martinez was already celebrating. Hands in the air, a big smile on his face and, soon, a title belt around his waist.

It was a bit premature in a very close fight. But when the points were tallied, Martinez had pulled the upset and was the U.S. amateur flyweight champion.

Just four years after taking up boxing as a high school sophomore, Martinez had made it to the top of the amateur ranks. The 20-year-old from San Antonio had earned the right to be happy.

"This is the best day of my life," Martinez said, sitting near ringside with the new championship belt proudly in his lap.

It was a pretty good day for 11 other boxers, too, who not only won championships in their weight divisions but also got a chance to experience a taste of the big time at Caesars Palace.

USA Boxing moved the national championships from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Las Vegas this year in hopes of getting some attention. About 2,000 fans watched the action Saturday night complete with blaring music between rounds, scantily clad ring card girls and some bright lights above the ring.

The real business at hand for the 220 boxers who began the tournament on Tuesday, though, was establishing themselves as contenders for the 2004 Olympic team in Athens.

Martinez did that by winning a four-round decision over Benitez, who was trying to become the first boxer to win four national championships in a row since 1904. Benitez had beaten Martinez easily last year in the semifinals of the national championships.

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It wasn't easy, though, with Martinez being credited with a 16-15 decision on the computer scoring of five ringside judges that is used in the amateurs.

"I knew I was leading by a point after the third round and I knew I got the last shot in," Martinez said. "I want to stop everybody, but I can box, too, if I have to."

Unlike many boxers in the championships, Martinez came late to the sport despite the fact his father, Ramiro, was a pro in Mexico before the family moved to the United States.

Martinez said he played almost every sport from golf to football but quit them all to take up boxing in 1998.

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