Kungfu, Boxing Kick off in July

People will be able to find out at the 2000 Olympic Garden Cup Sino-US kungfu-boxing contest, which will be held at Guangzhou's Tianhe Coliseum on July 15.

The event will pit nine Chinese martial arts experts against nine American professional boxers in a five-round-a-match contest. Each side will also field a female player.

Seven of the nine Chinese fighters took part in last year's event in Utah where China recorded a 7-2 victory. The other two were last year's reserves. The Chinese contestants, most of them national champions, are Kang Yonggang in the 54kg category, Bao Jian'an in the 58kg, Geriletu in the 62kg, You Bangmeng in the 66kg, Ke Rongliang in the 71kg, Li Ming in the 76ks, Nashungerile in the 81kg, Li Dongming in the 85kg and female martial artist Li Mingfeng of the 60kg.

The standouts in the US camp are Salt Lake City's Lewis Wood, whose professional boxing record is 21-1 with seven knockouts; Oklahoma champion Buck "Tombstone" Smith, 183-14 with 125 KOs; Indiana's Marty Jakubowski " The Wizard," 108-6 with 29 KOs; Rob "Wildman" Bleakley from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 75-21 with 18 KOs and Jason Nicholson "The Native American Nightmare," 16-10 with 10 KOs.

Others include Jesus Lopez, 13-8, Juan Torres, 12-9, Mark Longo 6-5 and 19-year-old female boxer Mary Ortega, 16-0 and was ranked No 5 in the US.

Sean Gibbons from Top Rank, one of the event's promoters, praised the Chinese athletes, saying they are the greatest in the world. "I was in Utah during the last fight last year, and I had the chance to study their kungfu styles," Gibbons said. "I have assembled the best team possible of American fighters."

Chinese kungfu fighter You Bangmeng said, "After last year's 2-7 loss, the Americans are coming back for revenge this time. They mean it. But we're ready for the challenge."

Wishing the Chinese best luck, American Bleakley said the Americans will be fully-prepared for the fight. "I can't wait for July 15. Boxing is my passion. I love to fight."

The event will be the second major boxing event in the southern Chinese city after last Saturday's match when Muhammed Ali's 22-year-old daughter, Laila, fought against compatriot and SWAT-team member Kristina King.



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