Gold Medalist Reid Signs With New Boxing Group

Middleweight David Reid, the only American fighter to win a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, has turned his back on several established boxing organizations to sign his first professional contract with a new group.

According to a source close to the negotiations, Reid has agreed to a multiyear contract with Amerika presents, a group headed by former Ten Goose Boxing promoter Dan Goossen and former broadcasting executive Mat Tinley.

News conferences are scheduled for today in Philadelphia and Wednesday in Los Angeles. None of the principals was available for comment Monday.

Among those who had been wooing Reid was Bob Arum, head of the Top Rank boxing organization. Reid also had been offered the opportunity to be managed by Stan Hoffman, manager of James Toney.

Instead, Reid will continue to train under the direction of his Olympic handler, Al Mitchell.

The landing of Reid is a big coup for Goossen, who resigned from Top Rank earlier this summer to help start Amerika presents.

He brings with him former world champions Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas and Michael Nunn, all of whom started with the San Fernando Valley-based Ten Goose in the 1980s before that organization folded when Goossen went to Top Rank. Also coming along with Goossen will be Long Beach heavyweight Jeremy Williams.

Tinley, who manages bantamweight Wayne McCullough, has been involved in national and international telecasts ranging from boxing to golf to soccer.