The return of amateur boxing to its original home tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) will usher in the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) National Intermediate Boxing Tournament.
The tournament, which will end on Sunday, is expected to see the crème-de-la-crème of the country’s intermediate fighters trading blows in 10 bouts slated for the evening.
And according to reports coming out of the GABA, the tournament is expected to produce fireworks for patrons over the next three nights.
An intermediate is a boxer who has entered and competed in an open senior championship but has not won a regional title. However, he would have won a novice class ‘B’ title or has returned from professional boxing.
In the lead up to tonight’s card the gyms were abuzz with activity and many of the boxers have expressed their optimism ahead of the championships.
During a visit to the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) gym yesterday Stabroek Sport saw many of the local amateur boxers working with trainer Sebert Blake and national coach Wincel Thomas.
Tournament director of the GABA Terrence Poole and Blake, who will be co-coordinating the tournament, said that all systems are in place for the tournament and patrons are expected to pay $200 for entry to the venue.
Meanwhile in the junior flyweight division FYF’s Richard Subratee will take on Ricola’s Dexter Wray and in the flyweight division Republican boxer Prince Slowe will match punches with Moonchan Sankar of Ricola.
Ryan Dillon of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will challenge Keeve Allicock of FYF for a bantamweight berth.
Following in the 118-weight class the Ancient County’s Pocket Rocket Gym fighter Richard Williamson will be looking to beat Benjamin Henry of Port Kaituma. In the lightweight clashes Marlon Darell from Ricola has Jim O’Selmo of Port Kaituma standing in his way and Republican fighter David Thomas will take on GDF’s Romano Clarke in the junior welterweight division.
To close the night’s proceedings will be the middleweights with rising star Kelsie George of Pocket Rocket seeking to tumble Rock Watson of GDF and Alfred Benjamin taking on Ron Smith.
Fight time is 18:00 hours.