By Marlon Munroe
National Coach Wincel Thomas is of the belief that many local amateur boxers lack the fundamentals of boxing to beat the Cubans and Russians.
In a telephone interview with Stabroek Sport on Saturday, Thomas indicated that he has been observing boxers at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Gym in Albouystown since he commenced training sessions last month.
He concluded that the boxers lacked many of the basics of the fistic sport.
And Thomas is adamant that, with the scoring system in amateur boxing, many local boxers will find themselves losing to more technically correct opponents.
He disclosed that he has started a programme for boxers especially the under-16 boxers, aimed at improving their techniques.
He said he had observed that many of the boxers were focusing on the uppercut, which is a short range shot.
Thomas, who said he began boxing in 1968, added that he wants to see the technical aspect of the sport being employed more by the boxers.
He said that most of the pugilists were not landing clean punches with the white part of the gloves which is around the knuckles.
Amateur boxing bouts are short in duration and the scoring is based on the number of clean punches landed rather than physical power. Boxers use gloves with a white strip across the knuckles and a punch is considered legal only when the boxers connect with the white portion of the gloves.
Each punch that lands on the head or torso is awarded a point.
Thomas, 58, who was a former amateur lightweight champion, told this newspaper that many time when the boxers threw their punches their body weight was oftentimes not equally distributed.
He suggests that the boxers are more than likely to be easy targets for knockouts especially since they are fighting with their feet too close to each other.
On the other hand, Thomas noted that many of the 26 boxers are not physically prepared for the rigours of the sport but admitted that he has spotted talent in them.
He said that many of the boxers are also less fortunate children from the ghetto.
Thomas, who was also a junior amateur welterweight champion, told this newspaper that promoter and trainer Keith ‘Buckilo’ Bazillio has undertaken to start a feeding programme for the boxers to be strengthened. He mentioned that porridge, along with supplements, will be given to the athletes.
Nutrition is a vital element of any boxer’s success and Thomas believes that for them to develop both physically and mentally, all factors must be present every step of the way.
Thomas said that when he is finished with the boxers at the FYF he will be moving to Timehri and Linden and to other parts of the country to help the once popular sport, which has brought Guyana’s it only Olympic medal, regain its former glory.
Michael Parris won a bronze medal in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
Thomas also said that he wants to see more boxing gyms being opened and he has spoken to former boxers to become trainers. He pointed out that a comprehensive document has also been submitted to the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) on where the sport should be heading.
Thomas envisions that when development is fully on stream overseas trainers can come in to work with the former boxers so that they may become more efficient. He said his aim is to have more certified coaches working for the development of the game.
Meanwhile, Thomas, who had once trained with Cuban Coach Trotman Daly in 1969-70, said that he was also elated to see more East Indian fighters emerging and making their presence felt in the sport. He said the diversity is what the fight game needs and he will be up to the challenge of working with all the boxers and prospective champions.
The Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) has already shortlisted three male amateur pugilists to represent Guyana at the upcoming CAC Games set for July in Barbados and the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India from October 3-11.
