The nation’s lone Olympic medallist, Michael Parris may be having life in London as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has decided to name its nursery after him.
The 1980 Olympic bronze medallist has seen the association rename its U-16 initiative the ‘Pepsi/Michael Parris Championships’.
Parris who fought in the bantamweight division at the Games 35 years ago, told this publication recently that he is thrilled by the gesture of the GBA.
“It’s a great idea and I am honoured” said one of Guyana’s finest amateur fighters.
“It’s boxing and it’s fitting and it may inspire someone to be the next Olympic medallist, these little things go a long way.”
The naming of the championships after Parris is the continuation of the GBA’s small way of paying homage to prize fighters who kept the Golden Arrowhead flying high. The Novices Championships earlier this month was named after Guyana’s first world champion, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis. In September, the Intermediate competition will be named after the nation’s first Commonwealth title holder, Lennox Blackmoore.
GBA’s president, Steve Ninvalle mentioned that October’s National Open will also be renamed after another local boxer of worth.
Said Parris “These are the type of things that you have to do so that the youths can be encouraged and made aware of the historic feats that happened in the past.”
The 57 year-old then stated that he would like to see another local Olympic medallist before he passes on but noted that “The youths have to get more serious with the discipline, the only way you get results is through hard work.”
A surefire inductee for the local boxing Hall of Fame opined that many local Simon Pures have the potential to stand on the podium at the Olympics but adequate support from their household and coaches is required.
“Charity begins at home so the coaches and their household have to be serious in support of them but there are boxers here that have the potential to medal, I know that for a fact.”
