US boxers will win at least three gold medals in Beijing, ending a lean streak of only one at the past two Olympics, former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield said.
The Americans, whose past Olympic boxers include Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Oscar de la Hoya, have won a record 48 gold medals at the Games.
The fall-off in success in the past few years has been partly blamed on the best boxers in the United States being impatient to turn professional.
'I expect them to win at least three gold medals at these Games. Yes, it is (a bold prediction) but I am sure,' said Holyfield, an Olympic bronze medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games and a torch-bearer in Atlanta 12 years later.
'They are better now. They are coming here as world champions,' Holyfield told reporters shortly after arriving in Beijing for the Olympics.
'These guys are motivated and they will do really well. They know it's not easy. If you think you have it easy, you get upset,' he said.
Heavyweight Deontay Wilder and world champions Rau'shee Warren and Demetrius Andrade are potential candidates for medals.
Holyfield did not say whether he was in Beijing in an official capacity or as a spectator.
