Theresa London and Akisha Arokium returned from participating in the Trinidad National Open Boxing Championship last weekend more experienced despite losing their bouts.
Manager Kesa Chase told Stabroek Sport yesterday that both girls came up against fighters who were heavier than they were.
“That was not supposed to happen. Before we left,Trinidad told us they had a light heavyweight but when we got there they told us that they did not have a light heavyweight and they were putting up a heavyweight instead.”
Chase said they objected to the proposed arrangement but both London and Arokium said they had no reservations in fighting their respective opponents as they wanted to gain the experience. Chase added that it was not the intention to have the girls enter the ring knowing that was not the agreement before they left Guyana.
London, she said, went the distance with the heavyweight losing the fight 11-7, while Arokium faced Stephanie Allen whom she lost to by 16-5 on points.
Gregory Cort, Arokium’s coach at the Rose Hall Town Jammers Boxing Gym, said he was proud of her performance.
“She is the first boxer from my gym to represent my gym overseas. I will now be working on the other females as this would be a motivation to them,” he said.
Boxers he said can now see that the sport is not just about the money, but the opportunities you get to develop yourself.
Cort disclosed that Arokium will not be travelling to the city on the weekends to train with the national team. The two left Guyana on Friday and returned yesterday.
