By Emmerson Campbell
Fresh off his International Boxing Association (AIBA) training stint in Cardiff, Wales, potential London Olympian Imran ‘Magic’ Khan will lead a team of seven boxers to compete in an invitational box off in Trinidad and Tobago from today to Sunday.
The Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Boxing Association will stage a box off in preparation for the London Olympic qualifiers in Rio de Janeiro in May and has invited local boxers to compete in the box off.
Khan, the joint Junior Sportsman of the Year left Guyana last night to compete at the tournament along with Kevin Allicock (junior flyweight), Richard Williamson (flyweight), Stephan Gouveia (lightweight), Laured Stewart (welterweight), Eon Bancroft (middleweight) and Markember Pierre (light heavyweight).
Khan, 19, on Sunday night took part in a Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) boxing competition in collaboration with Swift Cut Barbershop at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis gym and looked a cut above the rest of the boxers on the 12-fight card.
Khan fought Williamson in a three-round exhibition match but the GABA Boxer of the Year clearly outclassed Williamson with his improved jab, footwork and defence.
The Cardiff training camp clearly paid dividends as Khan has learnt to use his jab and superior reach to his advantage. The rising boxing star also showed off his footwork and a tighter defence.
With the ‘Magic Man’ taking his talents to Trinidad, his opponents along with those in attendance, will surely be left in awe.
Keith Campbell was also invited to the box off in the twin island republic and he was assigned the duties of referee/judge.
The team will be coached by Carl Franklin and James Walcott. The team manager will be Dexter Patterson.
