PRESS RELEASE: On Thursday, August 18, on a show to be telecast live on FSN's “Best Damn Sports Show Period” from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, Goossen Tutor Promotions is excited to present five former Olympians who are currently making their way through the professional ranks, headed by the sole 2004 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist, Andre Ward and 2000 Olympic super heavyweight champion Audley Harrison.


“Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Mark Breland and Virgil Hill all emerged from the 1984 Night of Olympians as world champions, and the cards featuring members of the 1992, 1996 and 2000 teams has also produced world champions in Oscar de la Hoya (sole Gold for U.S.), David Reid (sole Gold for U.S.) and most recently, Jermain Taylor, as well as other current world champions and top contenders to the title,” said promoter Dan Goossen

In the ten-round main event, unbeaten heavyweight sensation Audley “A-Force” Harrison (18-0, 13 KOs), the 2000 super heavyweight Gold medalist from Great Britain, will look to continue on his road to pro glory when he faces Robert
Wiggins (20-4-1, 12 KOs). "I told my team I was coming to America to fight one challenge after another, and next up is Wiggins, a very well respected and regarded heavyweight.  I believe in my talent and after this fight, so will the heavyweight division," said Harrison.

"This is definitely the next step for Audley to catapult himself into the thick of things in the top echelon of the heavyweight division." stated Goossen.  "I believe the ability he possesses, and his speed, size and strength, matches up to any of the current world champions today."

Co-featured on August 18 will be the Olympic reunion of the “Two Andres” –lightning-fisted middleweight Andre Ward (4-0, 2 KOs), and his Silver medal winning teammate, super middleweight Andre Dirrell (4-0, 3 KOs).  Both will box in separate six and four round bouts, respectively.

For Ward, this is his homecoming.  A resident of Oakland, California (in the Bay Area), and fighting in San Jose's HP Pavilion, 25 minutes from Oakland, he couldn't be more ecstatic.  "From day one I told my promoters Roy (Jones, Jr.) and Dan (Goossen) I need to consistently fight in my hometown; anywhere
in the Bay Area including Oakland, San Franciso and San Jose," said Ward. "I've got very supportive and great fans that want to see me fight here and to do this with some of my teammates only makes it that much bigger for all of us."

Also on the card will be the captain of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, hard-hitting heavyweight Devin Vargas (3-0, 3 KOs), who will look to keep his unbeaten and knockout record intact in a scheduled six rounder.  But that's not the only Olympian action in store for fight fans, as the well regarded and talented 2004 Mexican Olympic welterweight representative, Juan de Dios Navarro Ramirez from Torreon, Mexico, will make his professional
debut in a four round matchup.


Individual tickets go on sale Thursday, August 4 at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office, Ticketmaster locations throughout the Bay Area, online at tickemaster.com, or charge by phone at (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS, or (510) 625-TIXS.  For information about group discounts call (408) 999-5746.