Boxing superstars are not born into the role; they earn that title by paying their dues usually in the amateur ranks then onwards and upwards to the pay-per view arenas that holds the sport’s true riches.
This weekend, the cream of the nation’s amateur pugilists will be in action under the bright lights of California Square (East Ruimveldt Community Centre Ground) competing at the three-night National Open Championships with aspirations of someday fighting for riches under bright lights in pay-per view arenas.
The 6’ foot 4’ inch, 255-pound Brooklyn based, Quincy ‘Biggie’ Smalls is one of the fighters.
The brother of former WBC Cruiserweight world champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, who arrived in Guyana yesterday, told Stabroek Sport about his aspirations and also gave an insight on his amateur career thus far.
“Every boxer’s dream is to win a world title,” said Smalls yesterday. “But I know it’s a process.
He added “In my short career as an amateur boxer, I have only two fights, I have beaten the number-one ranked fighter in America John Luna who was one week removed from winning a silver medal in Russia; on my way to winning the Wisconsin State Golden Gloves Supper Heavyweight Open Championship.”
Small went on to state that “Later I fought in the National Golden Gloves winning in the first round then, losing in the second round of the Nationals to Greg Lewis, a veteran fighter who has fought in six straight National Golden Gloves.”
The former High School and Division One College football player intimated that he trains at the world famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, under the watchful eyes of Dillon Carew. Besides winning his bouts in the super heavyweight division this weekend, Small’s vision is to represent Guyana in the CAC Games, the Pan-America Games and the 2016 Olympics.
The National Open championships starts on Friday at 19:00hrs. According to Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Terrence Poole, he expects in excess of 50 pugilists to lace their gloves up. See you there. (Emmerson Campbell)
