Organisers of the Berbice Inter-Gym Boxing Tournament Jeff Roberts and Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers’ are on a quest to make the fistic sport just as popular in the county as cricket.
They told Stabroek Sport yesterday that they aim to take boxing to another level but they will also require the support of the business community.
The tournament is scheduled for February 19 at Scots School Ground from 18:30 hours. The Pocket Rocket Gym out of New Amsterdam will be hosting the tournament and 15 bouts are expected. The organisers reported that Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Harpy Eagle (HE) and the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) will be the three gyms from Georgetown that will be participating.
The other gyms in the tournament are Pocket Rocket, Central New Amsterdam, Rose Hall Bombers, Rose Hall Jammers and the Lion Heart Boxing Gym.
Roberts, who is also a Vice-President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), said that there is an abundance of talent in the Ancient County but while the groundwork is being done the process is a costly one.
The organisers are also hoping that other corporate sponsors come on stream. They took some time out to thank some of their sponsors who have lent their support to the venture.
Roberts, who was a former amateur bantamweight champion, said that the future seems bright for the emergence of the sport. It could become as popular as cricket and both Rogers and Rogers emphasised that they have been working “day and night” to ensure that this and future events bear fruit.
Further, Rogers, who is a professional boxer, said that they are trying to empower youths and get them off the street. “We want them (youths) to see boxing as a positive sport that can teach discipline,” Rogers stressed.
According to the organisers it will cost them over $300,000 to host the championship, which is in its fifth year. The organisers revealed that some special fighters will be on show and the “Georgetown fighters will be whipped and taken care of.”
Some of the fighters from the Ancient County who will be on show are Kelsie George, Jamal Eastman, Joel Williamson, Riaz Yusuf, Goutam Seeraj, Rena David, Kishon Simon, Michael April and Travis Fraser.
