(Philadelphia, PA --- March 4, 2008) National Teams from the United States and Puerto Rico will convene in the boxing Mecca of Philadelphia for an Olympic-style boxing dual at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University on Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m. “U.S.A. vs. Puerto Rico: World Dual Boxing” will feature top boxers from both teams for an international event, as the two nations prepare for the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
The World Dual Boxing marks the third Olympic related affair for the City of Philadelphia in 2008. Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment firm Comcast-Spectacor, worked closely with the City of Philadelphia in securing two 2008 Olympic related events for facilities they operate in Philadelphia. In addition to U.S.A. vs. Puerto Rico at the Liacouras Center, Global Spectrum's flagship arena, the Wachovia Center, will host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics from June 19-22, 2008. Philadelphia was also the host to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Table Tennis at Drexel University from January 10-13.
“The U.S. National Team has had a strong rivalry with Puerto Rico for years,” said USA Boxing CEO Jim Millman. “This event will preview many of the top contenders in Beijing, and promises to be a night of outstanding competition.”
“These type of high profile events put our venues in the national and international spotlight,” said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. “By continuing to lure these Olympic-type events, we, along with the City of Philadelphia, are putting ourselves in a terrific position to possibly host an Olympics.”
“An international event like the US vs Puerto Rico dual will help to raise Philadelphia’s profile as a premier Olympic sports town and further solidify our reputation as a world-class city,” said Joseph M. Torsella, co-chairman, Philadelphia Olympic & International Sports Project, an initiative of the Philadelphia Sports Congress. “Combined with Table Tennis and Gymnastics Olympic Trials, this event adds to the number of athletes whose Road to Beijing will go through Philadelphia.”
The competition at the Liacouras Center will showcase many of future Olympians who will vie for Gold when the Olympic Games start on 8/8/08. The Philadelphia event will feature two-time Olympian and 2007 World Champion Rau’shee Warren of Cincinnati, Ohio, who will represent the United States in Beijing as the first US Boxer since Davey Lee Armstrong in 1976 to compete in two Olympic Games.
The pride of Puerto Rico and Pan American Games gold medalist, McWilliams Arroyo will represent his country in Beijing and will battle the U.S. in the world dual event in Philadelphia. Arroyo defeated Warren in a previous bout at the light flyweight division and both have moved up to the flyweight division for the 2008 Olympic Games.
The United States is enjoying a resurgence in amateur boxing, and is currently ranked second in the world based upon their finish at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, Ill. Puerto Rico and the United States last faced off in head-to-head dual action in May 2004, as the two nations battled prior to the 2004 Olympic Games.
For information on Philadelphia’s citywide celebration for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Gymnastics and the yearlong celebration around the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, visit www.PhiladelphiaTrials2008.com.
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