Those pummel-horse-hopping teenagers always seem to grab the lion's share of emotional peaks and TV ratings during the summer Olympics, but it's the so-called sweet science that truly mirrors the political climate in Beijing. Hard to say if pea-soup smog, rerouted torch relays, Tibetan strife, or earthquake relief efforts were on Ralph Lauren's mind when he picked boxing hopeful Deontay Wilder to introduce Polo's U.S. Olympic athlete wardrobe. That Wilder looks more Marlon Brando than a cauliflowered Jake LaMotta probably didn't hurt. Either way, the 22-year-old Tuscaloosa heavyweight, who has 28 wins in just two years, is the perfect fit for the company's all-American polos, sweatshirts, shorts, and track jackets designed for the opening and closing ceremonies and for off-the-clock athletes in the Olympic village. "My girl will love it," Wilder says of the clothes, available in stores now. "She'll eat it up." On his last trip to Beijing, locals mistook the six foot seven boxer for LeBron James. This time, aside from that hunt for gold, Wilder has a reputation to defend: only one career black eye. While a second would clash with the new duds, he isn't fretting. "I'm just not one of those guys who bruises easily," he says, precluding any follow-up questions. Pugilists of the world: our condolences.

More: Designers >>