Release #305-00

Proclaims Wednesday, August 9th, "USA Boxing Day" in New York City

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by Gary Toney, President of USA Boxing, Jay Kriegel, Executive Director of NYC2012; and Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas, President of NYC & Company, today welcomed the USA Olympic Boxing Team to City Hall and proclaimed Wednesday, August 9th, "USA Boxing Day" in New York City in honor of the team as it prepares to compete in the upcoming XXVII Olympic Games. The Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in Sydney, Australia from September 15 through October 1, 2000.

"It is a pleasure and an honor to welcome these fine athletes to City Hall as they prepare to represent the United States and compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney," said Mayor Giuliani. "These men have spent hundreds of hours in the ring, sparring and boxing, hoping that their hard work will earn them a gold medal. Regardless of what happens in their individual matches, America considers all of them heroes. Many previous Olympic boxers have gone on to fight professionally, and perhaps one day we'll see one of these men in a boxing match under the bright lights at the world's most famous sports arena, Madison Square Garden. I want to wish each of them the best of luck in Sydney, and hope each brings home the gold."

"As part of our continuing effort to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York, we are delighted to join Mayor Giuliani in honoring the USA Boxing Team," said Jay Kriegel, Executive Director of NYC2012. "Boxing has a great tradition in New York City, and the enthusiasm for the Team expressed by New Yorkers has been enormous. We are all deeply impressed by the tremendous talent and determination of this Team. We know they will represent the USA proudly and we will cheer them on to glory in Sydney."

"We are pleased to launch our quest for Gold in Sydney here in New York City," said Gary Toney, President of USA Boxing. "This is a great sports town and the historic home of some of the greatest boxing matches of all time. It has been inspiring for our team to be showcased in New York City which is truly the boxing capital of America. I know I speak for every member of the Team in thanking New York's leaders for their outpouring of support, and especially Mayor Giuliani who we know is a true sports fan, for this exciting City Hall send-off."

The following boxers will represent the USA in Sydney:

Brian Viloria, Light flyweight, 106 pounds, height: 5'2 ", 18-years old, resides Waipahu, Hawaii.

• 1999 World Champion
  
• 1999 U.S. Champion
  
• 1999 National Golden Gloves Champion
  
• Two-time Junior Olympic Champion, 1995 and 1996

Jose Navarro, Flyweight, 112 pounds, height 5'5", 18-years old, resides Los Angeles, California.

• 1999 Pan American Team Silver Medalist
  
• Finished third or higher at three U.S. Championships

Clarence Vinson, Bantamweight, 119 pounds, height 5'2", 21-years old, resides Washington, D.C.

1999 World Championship Team Member

Three-time U.S. Champion, 1997, 1998 and 1999

Two-time World Championship Team Member, 1997 and 1999

Ricardo Juarez, Featherweight, 125 pounds, height 5'3", 19-years old, resides Houston, Texas.

• 1999 World Champion
  
• Two-time U.S. Champion, 1999 and 2000
  
• Two-time World Championship Team Member

David Jackson, Lightweight, 132 pounds, height 5'8", 24-years old, resides Seattle, Washington.

• 2000 Western Trials Champion
  
• 1997 National Champion

Ricardo Williams, Jr., Light Welterweight, 139 pounds, height 5'8", 18-years old, resides Cincinnati, Ohio.

• 1999 World Championship Team Member
  
• Two-time U.S. Champion, 1998 and 1999
  
• 1998 Goodwill Games Gold Medalist
  
• Two-time Junior Olympic Champion, 1996 and 1997

Dante Craig, Welterweight, 147 pounds, height 6'0", 21-years old, resides Cincinnati, Ohio.

• 1999: National Golden Gloves Champion

Jermain Taylor, Light Middleweight, 156 pounds, height 6'0", 21-years old, resides Little Rock, Arkansas.

• Two-time National Golden Gloves Champion, 1998 and 1999
  
• 1998 Goodwill Games Bronze Medalist
  
• Two-time U.S. Championships Semifinalist

Jeff Lacy, Middleweight, 165 pounds, height 5'11", 22-years old, resides St. Petersburg, Florida.

• 1998 U.S. Champion
  
• Two-time PAL Champion, 1998 and 1999
  
• 1997 World Championship Team Member

Olanda Anderson, Light Heavyweight, 178 pounds, height 6'2", 27-years old, resides Ft. Carson, Colorado.

• Two-time U.S. Champion, 1998 and 2000
  
• Two-time PAL Champion, 1998 and 1999
  
• Five-time Armed Forces Champion

Michael Bennett, Heavyweight, 201 pounds, height 6'0", 28-years old, resides Chicago, Illinois.

• 1999 World Champion
  
• 2000 U.S. Champion
  
• 1999 U.S. Championship Silver Medalist

Calvin Brock, Super Heavyweight, +201 pounds, height 6'2", 25-years old, resides Charlotte, North Carolina.

• 1999 U.S. Champion
  
• Two-time Silver Medalist at U.S. Championship
  
• 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials Participant

 

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