By Emmerson Campbell
Guyana’s and Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight champion, Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred’s career hangs in the balance after she was found to be five weeks pregnant hours before her world title fight last Saturday in Mexico.
The fight had to be scrapped.
The 31-year old ‘Mystery Lady’ who was scheduled to face Mexican, Zulina Munoz, for the vacant WBC super flyweight title, said she was mystified to find out she was pregnant and is at the moment unsure if she is ever going to step in the ring again.
“I hadn’t any signs of being pregnant, when the guy told me I was pregnant I was shocked, it was really a shock to me” said Alfred during yesterday’s press briefing at the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC).
“However this is life, things like this happen but had I known I was pregnant before I left Guyana I would not have put myself through all this embarrassment to myself, my team and my fans”. Alfred continued “Basically right now I have not come to a decision as yet (on my career) but hopefully I come to one very soon”.
Alfred who was training three times per day in the latter stages of her preparation, intimated that she was extremely disappointed by the news of her pregnancy but is optimistic that if she restarts her career she would make the nation proud once more.
“I wasted a big opportunity there” Alfred confessed. “I am very much disappointed because I know my fans and my sponsors were looking forward for me to bringing back this title but like I said in life things like these happen but hopefully down the road I can make everyone proud again”. Meanwhile, president of the GBBC, Peter Abdool, noted that it was no fault of the board that she was not tested before her departure, however he did mention that it was a “learning experience” for the board.
Said Abdool “As the governing body they did not ask for a pregnancy test, we have no jurisdiction unless the fight is in our territory, the extent is to send a letter advising the receiving commission that the fighter is who they are, that they have good standing with the board and that they are willing and able to compete, but this is definitely a learning experience for us”.
When quizzed on whether Alfred was fined or sanctioned, Abdool highlighted that her purse was cut significantly but no fines or sanctions were imposed.
Abdool also revealed that despite the disappointment, she was well received and well treated by the promoters to the extent that she was told she would have a crack at the title whenever she gets her career back on track.
As for her WIBA title, the #1 and #2 contenders will fight for the interim championship while Alfred is inactive.
Alfred commenced her career in 1999 and captured the WIBA title five years later. Her record stands at 13 wins (four KO’s) and five losses.
