08/14/2001

Boxing Olympic Gold Medalists and World Champions to Compete
at 2001 Goodwill Games

Cuban Olympic gold medalists Mario Mesa Kindelann (60 kg), Jorge Gutierrez (75 kg) and Guiller Ortiz Rigondeaux (54 kg) are among the world's best amateur boxers scheduled to compete against Australia, Germany, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States at this year's Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia, officials announced today. The boxing competition of the Games is scheduled for Sept. 6-9 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and will be broadcast on Turner Network Television (TNT).

Other top boxers set to compete for gold are Cuba's World Championship gold medalists Damien Austin Echemendia (71 kg) and Odlaniel Fonte (91 kg); Ukraine's Olympic bronze medalist Vladimir Sidorenko (51 kg); Ukraine's Olympic bronze medalist Sergei Danylchenko (54 kg); and Uzbekistan's Olympic bronze medalist Rustam Saidov (+91 kg).

The United States will be represented by boxers Anthony Thompson (67 kg), Ron Siler (48 kg)and Juan McPherson (63.5 kg). Thompson, a welterweight boxer from Philadelphia, is a World silver medalist and a two-time U.S. gold medalist. Siler, a light flyweight from Cincinnati, is a Junior Olympic gold medalist and a two-time U.S. gold medalist. McPherson, a light welterweight from Cleveland, is a Junior Olympic gold medalist and a U.S. bronze medalist.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I am looking forward to taking advantage of it," said Thompson. "Win or lose, I am going to have a great time and put on a great show."

A total of 48 boxers - four in each weight class - will compete. The 12 weight classes include 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63.5, 67, 71, 75, 81, 91 and +91 kilograms. The competition will feature two semifinal bouts for each weight class. The winners of each bout will advance to the gold medal round, and the defeated will move to the consolation final.

The 2001 Goodwill Games boxing prize money totals $156,000 (USD). The total prize purse will be divided evenly among the twelve weight classes; each weight class will be allotted $13,000. First place earns $6,000; second, $4,000; third, $2,000; and fourth, $100.

World-class boxing is rarely seen in Australia, making the 2001 Goodwill Games an excellent opportunity for Australians to watch the world's best exchange punches over the four days of competition.

The Goodwill Games, Aug. 29-Sept. 9, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, will feature 14 sports: athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling (track), diving, figure skating, gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, trampoline, triathlon, weightlifting and surf lifesaving. Goodwill Games, Inc. is a division of Turner Sports, the sports programming and production business unit of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

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