Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry and Rudolph Hedge of Jamaica will create history tomorrow when they enter the ring to battle for the World Boxing Union (WBU) bantamweight title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The two will contest the feature bout on the Night of Champions II Card.
That disclosure was made at the King’s Plaza, Main Street, where a press conference was held to introduce the boxers to the media.
This is the first time in Guyana’s history that males will be vying for a world title fight locally. Previously, female boxers Gwendolyn O’Neil and Shondell Alfred had world title fights locally.
Putting the historic significant aside, both fighters said this fight means a lot for their careers.
“It’s a big title for both of us but only one of us can win. Every fight I have won is a belt fight and when it’s a belt fight it’s a better fight,” Dharry said.
According to him title fights usually force both boxers to compete harder thus giving the fans what they are looking for, a good fight.
Hedge, on the other hand, said this fight gives him the opportunity to once again give his cousin some challenge.
“This fight is a big deal for me because the world is supposed to know about Axe Man, that’s my cousin and he has been leading me a very long way so this fight is going to put me up in the rating. So this fight means a whole lot for me.”
The fight was scheduled for September last year but due to communication failure it was delayed. However, Dharry said that is now all in the past, given that they will finally be trading punches in the fight. Meanwhile, Kwesi ‘Assassin’ Jones said he is prepared for his fight against Shawn ‘Sniper’ Cox in the supporting bout. The two will clash in a catch weight bout. Jones, who said he has lost some amount of weight for the fight, said he will defeat Cox on speed and strength.
Cox, will have to do his response in the ring as he was not present at the press conference. Reports were that he was unwell and preferred to rest. First timer Mahmood Loul when questioned on his preparedness after one month in the gym, said he was ready. “One month, two times per day, every day and I ready to fight. His opponent Patrick Boston a seasoned boxer said he has been in the gym for the past three weeks. “It’s going to be a good fight, I have been training for the past three weeks for this fight. I am excited indeed to get into the ring with Mahmood, I wish him good luck.”
The two will be fight in the super middleweight division.
In the featherweight division, Richard Williamson and Rudolph Fraser will meet. Fraser was initially set to meet Jamaica, Dean ‘Bad Newz’ Burrell but Burrell cancelled at the last minute the organizers said.
In the first bout, Barbadian Selwyn Lett and Dexter Marques will exchange punches in the flyweight division.
Lett said despite the late notice he is ready for the fight.
“Leading up to the fight despite it was really late notice, but I am very comfortable and well prepared for the fight. Yes I saw him fight once and he is a pretty good boxer.”
However, Marques trainer Seabert Blake said Marques will be entering the ring to claim victory.
“Everybody knows that Dexter was prepared to fight against a Mexican fighter out of Brooklyn, New York and he was told that the fighter had some injuries and he is not here, so Selwyn Lett stepped in. But we know that Dexter is a hard trained boxer and is prepared to go and do combat at any time so I would say come out and support Dexter it is going to be a good fight. We know that Selwyn always gives of his best so come tomorrow night we guaranty that there will be a good show between Dexter and Selwyn”.
This card is being promoted by Champion Promotions in collaboration with Elton Dharry Promotions, Pearl Vodka and The Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC). The weigh in is slated for today at King’s Plaza Main Street.
