The first-ever USA Boxing Olympic Invitational, will be featured in a nationwide broadcast on NBC leading into the U.S. Open Golf Championship at 3 p.m. EST on Sunday, June 14. The event showcased four of the United States boxers who will compete in this summer’s Beijing Olympic Games in head-to-head match-ups with fellow Olympians..
The Invitational was one of the final competitions for the Olympic teams from China, Brazil and the United States. Light flyweight Luis Yanez (Duncanville, Texas); bantamweight Gary Russell, Jr. (Capitol Heights, Md.); lightweight Sadam Ali (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and heavyweight Deontay Wilder (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) all competed in the unique, international event
In addition to the world class athletes in the ring, top-level commentators will serve as ringside talent, with NBC Olympic announcers Teddy Atlas and Bob Papa calling the bouts and the renowned Jim Gray conducting interviews.
“We’re delighted that a number of our Olympic boxers will be showcased to a national television audience,” commented USA Boxing CEO, Jim Millman. “Increasing television exposure for our Olympic Team and National Team is an important priority for USA Boxing going forward, and NBC’s Olympic commitment makes them a perfect broadcast partner for the event”.
“We’re enthused about the improving prospects of USA Boxing and the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team,” commented NBC Sports Senior Vice President, Jon Miller. “We’d like to see greater exposure for the U.S. Team going forward.”
In addition to outstanding action and interviews from the USA Boxing Olympic Invitational, the broadcast will serve as an introduction for the American viewing people to all of the U.S. boxers who will be representing the United States this summer in Beijing. The telecast will showcase training clips from the members of the United States Olympic Team as well as highlights of the 2007 World Champions from the United States, Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Demetrius Andrade (Providence, R.I.).
The Olympic Invitational has received 100% clearance from NBC’s affiliated stations.