National boxing coach Wincel Thomas is pleased with the work ethic of Carolann Bess and Theresa London two weeks before their departure for the World Youth and Junior championships in Antalya, Turkey from April 18-29.
According to Thomas the two boxers have done sparring sessions with WIBA bantamweight champion Shondell Alfred, along with various forms of technical, strength and endurance work. “They have stood up to the pressure and I am not too bothered at this time, actually I am pleased with the work they have put out,”Thomas expressed.
The former amateur champion said that on Tuesday and Thursday there is a focus on weight training, along with school combat. On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Thomas noted that there is the focus on glove work and sparring. The boxers have also been running three miles every morning and then they go through drills and rudimentary techniques.
Thomas, who will be accompanying the boxers to Turkey, believes at this time that the boxers will not just be going on a trip to Europe but rather they have the ability to compete and give a good account of themselves. Commenting on London, Thomas said that “she is a fighter and she is getting better”.
According to Thomas she is maturing and if she is in a good draw at the championships she will be bringing home some silverware for Guyana. He also pointed out that she has been sparring with a few male boxers in her weight class and age range.
When he spoke of Bess he said that she is applying herself and learning quickly especially since she first started she “knew practically nothing or very little”. If Bess can keep her cool, according to Thomas, she will be a serious contender in Turkey.
Bess and London are scheduled to fight on this month end’s pro-Am card on March 25 and will be departing these shores on April 9.
Meanwhile, the boxers were chosen by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) Selection Committee. London, 15, is the daughter of former world heavyweight champion Pamela London and fights out of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) gym while Bess, 15, is a junior flyweight.
The world governing body for amateur boxing, International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), will be standing the entire cost for participants of the programme. The international body required that the participants be born between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1996 for the youth and junior championships.
When Stabroek Sport caught up with the boxers at the FYF gym where they were going through their paces they expressed confidence ahead of their international engagement. The petite Bess, who is a southpaw, said that she knows she will be successful since she is “training hard to fight easy.” They were doing strength training work with light weights under the watchful eyes of Thomas and former world champion London, who is also a coach at the FYF.
Part of her inspiration lies in the fact that her mother is deceased and she will be dedicating her success to her mother while in Turkey. Further, Bess noted that her father Andrew Quallis, who was also a boxer, has also been an inspiration.
The Dolphin Secondary School student said that she is not feeling nervous because her training with Thomas is intense.
London, who attends the Community College, said that she is training hard and she is looking forward to some of her best performances in the ring. The undefeated orthodox fighter said that she intends to take up the sport and one-day win a title like her mother.
She assured that she will be “up to the challenge” in Turkey and will be looking to gain new experiences there.
When Stabroek Sport had spoken with coach London she said while she feels proud about her daughter’s selection she is constantly reminding her of doing the right thing in the ring. London stressed that conditioning is the key before Turkey but also urged her daughter not to rush her fights.
“Feel your opponent and get a feel of the ring and then do what you have to do,” London was quoted as telling her daughter. She also added, “Keep your composure in the use of your jab – do the right things.”
On the other hand, president of the GABA Steve Ninvalle said yesterday that some of the executives met with the boxers and parents earlier in the week. He pointed out that it was important to have this meeting so as to ensure that the boxers remain disciplined so that they may reach their full potential.
He said that there were discussions with the parents to provide supplements for the athletes. This would be in addition to what the Association will be providing for the boxers. Apart for that he said that he is heartened to see that coaches Terrence Poole and Sebert Blake lending their expertise to prepare the girls for their first international assignment. He was especially pleased because the coaches came together for a “national cause” while also declaring that it shows that certain things are being done right by the GABA.
