Elite boxer, Desmond Amsterdam will take the ring today to match gloves with Mirsharif Kazimzade of Azerbaijan at the ongoing International Boxing Association (AIBA) men’s World Boxing Championships in Serbia.
The two middleweights will be vying for a spot in the round of 32 after they both received a ‘bye’.
Guyana’s hopes of winning a medal at the event rest squarely on the gloves of Amsterdam after the nation’s other representative, featherweight, Keevin Allicock lost his opening bout.
Allicock was defeated 5-0 by Rujakran Juntrong of Thailand on Thursday.
The defeat ended the campaign of the Olympian at the lucrative event which has attracted boxers coming from 105 member states plus AIBA’s version of a refugee team, called the Fair Chance Team (FCT).
The 22 year-old lost all three rounds according to the judges scorecards despite showing his usual tenacity and grit to drop a unanimous decision to his opponent.
Notes: The event which concludes on November 6, got underway on Monday at the Štark Arena in Belgrade.
For the first time in AIBA’s 75-year history, medal winners will be rewarded with prize money.
Gold medalists will pocket $100,000, silver medallists $50,000, and each bronze medallists $25,000.
