By Marlon Munroe
Six boxers will represent Guyana at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico from Thursday – July 31.
According to the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), the team is the largest since 1993 and the executive of GABA has expressed confidence in the team which will be spearheaded by junior Commonwealth silver medallist Clevlon Rock.
In anticipation of the team’s departure today, Stabroek Sport compiled a Who’s who of the local team.
Clevlon Rock- Team Captain
Age: 20.
D.O.B: March 13, 1990.
Weight Class: 60kgs/Lightweight.
Started boxing: 2006 at GDF
Notable accomplishments: Junior Commonwealth silver medallist (2008- India), National Bantamweight champion (2006), National Open and Novices champion 2010
Ray Sandiford
Age: 24
D.O.B: November 22, 1985
Weight Class: 126lbs/Featherweight
Started boxing: 2002 in the Guyana Police Force
Notable accomplishments: National Featherweight champion, Best boxer at the National Open and Novices championships- 2009, Pan-American qualifier-2007, Olympic qualifiers 2008-2008
Record: 112 wins; eight losses
Herlando Allicock
Age: 20
D.O.B: January 21, 1990
Weight Class: Flyweight
Started boxing: 2002 at the Forgotten Youth Foundation gym, Albouystown.
Notable accomplishments: Caribbean Games gold medallist -2008, Attended the Commonwealth Games in 2008- India, winner at National Open and Novices championships
Devon Boatswain
Age: 24
D.O.B: May 21, 1986
Weight Class: 160lbs/Middleweight
Started boxing: 2006 at the GDF gym
Notable accomplishments: Two-time welterweight champion- 2009, national middleweight champion- 2010, first time representing Guyana
Dexter Jordan
Age: 20
D.O.B: November 19, 1989
Weight Class: Flyweight
Started boxing: 2002 at the FYF gym
Notable accomplishments: 121 wins; nine losses, Jordan will be making his debut on the national side.
Bert Braithwaite
Age: 21.
D.O.B: September 26, 1988.
Weight Class: Junior welterweight
Started boxing: 2005 at the GDF gym
Notable accomplishments: Competed at all national tournaments since making his debut
Record: 50 wins, six losses
Terrence Poole – Coach (since 1990)
Age:46
D.O.B: January 16, 1964
Qualification:Diploma (Credit) from University of Semmelweis, Budapest, Hungary
Boxing career: 1983-1994
Notable accomplishments: Inducted into the Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association in 2004; three-time Caribbean Games gold medallist – 1987, 1990, 1993; bronze medallist – 1988, Pan-American bronze medallist – 1991 (Cuba), CAC bronze medallist – 1994 (Puerto Rico), represented Guyana at Commonwealth Games in 1994.
Sebert Blake (Coach since 2001)
Age:36
D.O.B: December 5, 1973.
Qualification: Diploma from the Pan-American Sport Organisation (PASO) – Ecuador – 2004, Advanced Diploma from PASO for Olympic-style boxing – Mexico – 2005; Certificate from International Olympic Committee (IOC) through Olympic Solidarity – (2002); Certificate from the International Amateur Boxing Association (IABA)- Trinidad & Tobago 2004.
Boxing Career: 1991-2000.
Notable accomplishments: Three-time Caribbean Games gold medallist in the flyweight (1) and bantamweight (2) divisions, Junior Carifta silver medallist-1992, Pan-American bronze medallist – 1997.
Maurice Rajkumar
Manager, Vice-President of GABA