The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Newfoundland boxers selected for international tournament

Boxing Newfoundland announced today that three of their elite junior athletes will compete for Canada in an international competition in Mexico City, Mexico during the month of July.

Junior National champions Donnie Hunt (112 lbs), Mark Kean (139 lbs) and Billy Russell (165 lbs) will travel to Mexico City with Canada's Junior National Team from July 4 to July 14 to compete in an eight country competition. Other countries signifying their intentions of attending the competition are Germany, Russia, England, Ireland, France, USA, and of course Mexico.

Two other members of Boxing Newfoundland will also make the trip to Mexico City. Kevin Greeley will assist head coach Gordie Apoloni of Ontario with the coaching duties, and Hank Summers, currently the vice- president of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association, will handle the team manager's duties.

This is Greeley's first national team assignment and he is extremely excited with the appointment. "This will help our athletes gain valuable experience and also assist us greatly in our preparation for the 1999 Canada Winter Games" said Greeley. "These three athletes will form the Nucleus of our CWG team in Corner Brook, and this international competition will help increase their combined confidence and skill levels tremendously."

The team departs for Mexico on July 4 and returns to Canada on July 14.

Contact: Lynn Hindy, (709) 576-4932.