Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) chief Peter Abdool yesterday confirmed that the welterweight title fight between national champion Iwan Azore and Dexter Gonsalves has been officially postponed and that Clive Atwell will be Gonsalvess next opponent on the rescheduled card on October 24th.
Speaking during a press conference held at his Avenue of the Republic office yesterday, Abdool said that the Azore/Gonsalves showdown on the GBBC Pro Am Card which was scheduled for today at the Giftland Office Max Mall in Lilliendaal was rescheduled because of a reported ankle injury to Azore in training.
According to Abdool, while a medical certificate has not been presented yet by Azore’s management, he was assured that it will be done shortly, noting that Azore will need at least two weeks of rest before resuming training and as such could not be seen as a possible opponent on the rescheduled date.
He noted that while Jamaican Sakima Mullings was considered as a possible replacement to fight Gonsalves on the new date, he is currently not in training and will need more time to get fight ready for the 140lb contest as he is presently hovering around the 160lb mark.
Abdool declared that the matchup is actually what was envisioned for the future and declared that he expects it to be great contest.
The winner of the 12 round matchup will eventually go on to possibly earn a shot at the current WBC holder Jorge Linares of Venezuela (33-3).
Aleem Hussain of NexGen Global Productions said despite the disappointment of not having the original card realized, the opportunity presented gives the company a chance to produce a card on a bigger scale and with even more time to prepare.
He disclosed that all the mechanisms and sponsors for the initial fight card remain the same which he said was a great opportunity to showcase Guyana on a grand scale.
Hussain added that it is expected to be a great fight as Gonsalves has assured he will put his best foot forward adding to the possibility that one of the fighters following the conclusion of the match could go on to possibly fight for a world title.
In an invited comment Gonsalves said that he is entering the fight very confident, declaring that he will be dedicating the bout to the late Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis who was very instrumental in his career as he often spoke to him about the discipline.
He added that while he knows that Atwell has fought more recognized opponents, he believes his overall experience will be the reason that he will emerge victorious in their encounter.
Gonsalves said that while it is a great opportunity to face Atwell, this match is a stepping stone for him and that he will stop his opponent in either the fourth or fifth round.
Speaking via telephone from his Dominica base at the conference, Atwell said that while his opponent is within his right to make proclamations, the entire Guyanese public and some parts of the world knows his quality.
According to Atwell, he expects to arrive on local shores on Monday and that preparation for the right will commence immediately. He noted that while does not going into any fight looking for a knockout, he will capitalize on the opportunity if it presents itself. “If he comes into the fight looking for a knockout, he might get knocked out himself” he added.
In the other professional fights, Anson Greene will battle Quincy Gomes in a six round welterweight contest while national bantamweight champ Imran Khan will oppose David Thomas in a four round lightweight fixture and Keeve Allicock will oppose Stephon Gouveia over four rounds in a featherweight fixture.
On the amateur side, Republican, Nankumar Singh will face-off with Kellon King in a lightweight match while Travis Hubbard matches skill with Orin Bancroft in another lightweight encounter.
Clifton Graham will then oppose Glenroy Smith in a welterweight bout while Dexter Wray will lock horns with Tefon Green in an Elite Flyweight showdown.
