The excitement is fever pitched and Elton Dharry and Orlando Penalba are ripped and ready for their WBC International super flyweight title collision this evening at the National Stadium.
As vitriol spewed during yesterday’s weigh-in at the Pegasus poolside, Penalba tipped the scales at a shredded 113.6 pounds, while the equally supremely conditioned Dharry crept right under weight limit at a fighting ready 114.6 pounds.
The bout will be the main attraction of the five-fight ‘Road to Redemption’ card. Action is set to start at 18:00hrs.
However, the event got off to an early start at Pegasus when scuffles broke out between the main event fighters.
Caught in the middle was Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., as the Panamanian pugilists seemingly took offence to remarks by Dharry and Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques and rushed the Guyanese duo with fists flying.
Penalba’s countryman, Gilberto Pedroza will take on Marques in the co-main event for the WBC flyweight Silver belt.
The Minister, looking like a fighter himself, stepped in to separate the fighters and told them in no uncertain terms that the fight belonged in the ring.
Tonight, Penalba (11-0) attempts to keep his unblemished record intact while his former world rated opponent will look to return to being a world rated contender.
Speaking with confidence, Penalba, 28, stared down Dharry (25-6-1) and boldly predicted that he would return home with the spoils and his record unblemished.
“I am a sergeant in our military and when I fight I fight to win,” he declared.
Dharry, 36, who has a large fan base here, quietly predicted that this would be a tough fight but one that his experience and strength would make him emerge victorious “I’m not going to disappoint my thousands of fans and fellow Guyanese tomorrow at the Stadium.”
The card which has an international flavour with a blend of talented youth and experience will see the return of Imran ‘Magic’ Khan, James Walcott, Laured Stewart and Romeo Norville.
Also, debutants, Stephen Da Silva and Richard James will match gloves in a lightweight four-rounder.
Khan will take on Anthony Narine in a six-round middleweight bout while Walcott will lace it up against James Moore in a four-round light heavyweight fight.
Stewart will battle Norville in a four-round light heavyweight scrap.
The event will be broadcast locally and internationally according to the head of NCN, Neaz Subhan.
In addition to the packed action in the ring, there will be a halftime show put on by HJ Entertainment featuring top local artistes and dance to showcase Guyana’s talent to the world.
The government of Guyana along with major sponsors such as Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Comfort Sleep, Samtronix, Morgan’s Investment, Hand in Hand Insurance, Unique Electrical, Caribbean Motor Spares, HRTN Consulting, Darthan Investments, Turbo Energy Drink, SuperBet, Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) along with dozens of overseas based Guyanese companies are supporting the event.
Tickets, priced as low as $1,000 are on sale at Giftland, Movietowne, Amazonia Mall, all Assuria General Insurance offices nationwide, The Locals Restaurant in Vreed-en-Hoop and Fagoo’s General Store in Parika. (Emmerson Campbell)
