The Shondel ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred/Corrine ‘Sexy Panther’ De Groot rematch will finally materialize on May 2 after Alfred signed her contract yesterday at the Duke Street office of Presidential Adviser on Empowerment and head of Mc Neil Promotions, Odinga Lumumba.
It was said at the signing that De Groot’s contract will be mailed to the Canadian, who has some Guyanese roots. Initially, much controversy had surrounded this rematch after Alfred had gained a unanimous decision over De Groot last September in Guyana, lifting the vacant WIBA bantamweight title.
Subsequently, there was talk about Guyana’s seventh world champion losing her title if a rematch was not granted in 120 days to De Groot, who felt she had won the fight. When this did not happen a purse bid was suggested and WIBA set the minimum figure for the purse.
President and Co-founder of the Women’s International Boxing Association’s (WIBA) Ryan Wissow had contacted this publication and a price floor of US$7,000 was stipulated with 60 per cent of the final agreed figure going to the champion and 40 per cent to the challenger.
Mc Neil Enterprise eventually won that unprecedented purse bid in Guyana and the first since the WIBA was establishment in 2000 for a rematch.
The fight will now be staged on May 2 at the Princess Hotel if negotiations are successful with the management of the hotel.
Yesterday at the signing President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) Peter Abdool said that he had previously anticipated the rematch since last December. He remarked that now he believes the rematch will be an exciting one and all fight fans will eagerly welcome it.
Lumumba informed reporters that while he is out of the promotion of fights he will take on the fights of significance and he too believes that this rematch is a significant one. He said that this is also an opportunity for Alfred to once again prove that her win against the ‘The Sexy Panther’ De Groot was not a fluke.
“There has been a lot of dispute concerning the victory so we are giving her (De Groot) a chance to redeem herself and give the young lady a chance from Guyana to prove that she has the capacity to repeat her victory,” Lumumba said.
He said further that it is necessary to provide the arena and all the other elements for the fight to take flight.
Meanwhile, Alfred said that patrons can expect her to win convincingly again. She also charged that whatever misconceptions De Groot may have about the result of the last fight will be cleared up “when she retains her title.” She said that she has been working very hard for the bout and she believes in her ability and she hopes the American gladiator will come prepared for the contest. Alfred is being trained by Sebert Blake and Wincel Thomas.
