(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – 2007 World Champion Demetrius Andrade (Providence, R.I.) has been added to the line-up for the USA Boxing Olympic Invitational on May 9 at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. Andrade’s welterweight contest with China’s Silamu Hanati could provide an Olympic preview as both boxers are preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing..
The bout will be Andrade’s first competition since the USA vs. Russia Dual in February, and will provide critical competition for the reigning World Champion. Andrade was one of two U.S. boxers to claim world titles at the 2007 AIBA World Championships in Chicago in November. He and fellow world champion Rau’shee Warren were the first U.S. boxers to claim gold medals at the World Champions since 1999.
Andrade has been dominating his welterweight division since entering the senior division in 2005, winning two U.S. Championships titles as well as two National Golden Gloves championships prior to making the 2008 Olympic Team. His success has extended to the international scene as well with Andrade winning a silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before winning his world championship in Chicago.
The 20-year-old is trained by his father, Paul, and has a one-year-old daughter, Autumn, in his hometown of Providence, R.I. Despite his strong family ties at home, Andrade has lived at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his Olympic teammates, and is focused on Olympic gold.
Andrade replaces Greg Carter (Waterbury, Conn.), and becomes the fifth United States Olympian on the talent-rich roster. Brazil enjoyed an outstanding tournament at the recent Americas Olympic qualifier in Guatemala City, Guatemala, qualifying four of the boxers who will compete in Bridgeport for the 2008 Olympics. Light flyweight Paulo Carvalho, bantamweight Robenilson Jesus, featherweight Robson Conceicao and lightweight Everton Lopes all punched their tickets for Beijing in Guatemala. In addition to the five Olympians on both the United States and Brazilian teams, three Olympic participants from China will compete in the event.
Tickets for the USA Boxing Olympic Invitational are currently available through Ticketmaster as well as the Arena at Harbor Yard and range from $30 for upper level seats, $50 for lower level seats, to $75 for premium floor seating.
To obtain media credentials, contact Julie Goldsticker at jgoldsticker@usaboxing.org at 719-866-2304.
USA Boxing Olympic Invitational Rosters
United States
106 lbs: Luis Yanez, Duncanville, Texas (2008 Olympian)
119 lbs: David Clark, San Diego, Calif.
125 lbs: Robert Rodriguez, Evans, Colo.
132 lbs: Sadam Ali, Brooklyn, N.Y. (2008 Olympian)
141 lbs: Javier Molina, Commerce, Calif. (2008 Olympian)
152 lbs: Demetrius Andrade, Providence, R.I. (2008 Olympian)
178 lbs: Lionell Thompson, Buffalo, New York
201 lbs: Deontay Wilder, Tuscaloosa, Ala. (2008 Olympian)
201+ lbs: Trevor Bryan, Albany, N.Y.
China
141 lbs: Qiong Maimaitituersun (2008 Olympian)
152 lbs: Silamu Hanati (2008 Olympian)
201 lbs: Abulikemu Abudureheman
201+ lbs: Yushan Nijiati (2008 Olympian
Brazil:
106 lbs: Paulo Carvalho (2008 Olympian)
119 lbs: Robenilson Jesus (2008 Olympian)
125 lbs: Robson Conceicao (2008 Olympian)
132 lbs: Everton Lopes (2008 Olympian)
178 lbs: Washington Silva (2008 Olympian)
National Feature Bout Participants
165 lbs: Shawn Porter, Stow, Ohio
165 lbs: Luis Arias, Milwaukee, Wis.
USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).