U.S.-Ireland Boxing Match May Carry Extra Punch

Tickets go on sale today for the U.S.-Ireland boxing dual, the latest headline event booked into the Arena.

The event is scheduled for March 13. Toby Steward of the Spokane promoting firm Star USA said the U.S. team will consist of six top-ranked Americans and six No.2-ranked boxers in 12 Olympic weight classes.

Larry Mosley, a 139-pounder from Los Angeles, is one of three top-ranked U.S. fighters with a confirmed entry in the competition that will be shown taped-delayed on Fox network.

Mosley, 18, is ranked third in the world by the International Amateur Boxing Association, Kevin Neuendorf of USA Boxing in Colorado Springs said Thursday.

“Of all the boxers you’ll see, Larry is the one you’ll fall in love with,” Neuendorf said.

Two other top-ranked Americans - 119-pound Cornelius Lock of Detroit and 156-pounder Darnell Wilson of Lafayette, Ind. - are also committed to the March 13 card, Neuendorf said. Wilson, 31, is the oldest elite boxer in the USA program.

The stop in Spokane is one of nine U.S. dual matches to be televised by Fox. The Irish knocked off the U.S. 7-5 the last time the teams were matched in ‘94.

As for the tie-in to Seattle’s effort to land the Olympics, Steward said, “If Seattle wins the bid it can be a great opportunity for the entire Pacific Northwest. Spokane can show its ability to host successful events for many of the Olympic sports.”

Ten cities are bidding for the 2012 Games. Site selection is due in 2005.

Steve Penny of the Seattle Olympic Games bid committee attended a Thursday news conference at the Arena.

“You have a great reputation within the Olympic family, having hosted some successful events here,” he said. “The wrestling trials last year, the cycling trials in years past, and during the Goodwill Games you had women’s volleyball and weight lifting. We envision this to be a regional Games, and we expect the entire state to benefit from any effort associated with the Games.

“Being able to promote the U.S.-Ireland boxing match is an important step for all of us in that it sends a positive signal to the Olympic committee that the state is very much behind Olympic sports.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: U.S. vs. Ireland Tickets are priced at $15, $25 and $50 for the March 13 box-off that organizers hope will kick off St. Patrick’s Day activities and link Spokane with Seattle’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.