MOSCOW, July 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russian boxer Kostya Tszyu said Thursday he would go to the Beijing Olympics only to support his boxing compatriots as his exhibition fight with Chinese actor-director and martial artist Jackie Chan had been canceled.
In April, Tatyana Trubnikova, one of the exhibition fight organizers, said Chan liked the idea of the demonstration fight and gave his preliminary permission, but approval was needed from the Chinese Olympic Committee, as Chan is China's official face for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
"There will be no fight with Jackie Chan," said Tszyu, the undisputed junior welterweight world champion. "At first Chinese authorities gave their permission, but then after considering all the details, decided that the Olympic ambassador should not be punched in the face."
The 54-year-old Hollywood star has been given the honored privilege of singing the Chinese national anthem at the Olympic opening ceremony on August 8.
