• Where: Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall, Municipality of Peristeri. • When: Aug. 14-25, 27-29. • Medals: Gold, silver and two bronzes in each of 11 weight classes. • Outlook: Cuba has dominated Olympic boxing in recent years, and will bring another strong team that includes defending 119-pound gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux and 132-pound gold medalist Mario Kindelan. Missing from the Sydney team that won four gold medals and two bronzes is three-time heavyweight gold medalist Felix Savon, who retired and is helping coach the team. Cuba is in danger, however, of losing the medal race to Russia, which won two gold, three silver and two bronze medals in Sydney, then topped Cuba in the 2003 world championships. The United States is sending nine boxers to Athens, trying to rebound from a disappointing 2000 Olympics where no American boxers won gold medals for the first time in 52 years. Middleweight Andre Dirrell is perhaps the most talented of the Americans, who lack vital international experience. Light heavyweight Andre Ward, a two-time U.S. champion, hasn't lost since 1998 and figures to be a medal contender.
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• An interactive guide to the equipment, techniques and rules for boxing at the Olympic Games. • U.S. boxing roster