By Rawle Toney in Birmingham (Team Guyana Press Attache`)
Thirty-two years, and seven Commonwealth Games. That’s how long it has been since Guyana won its last medal in the sport of boxing at the former British Empire Games.
However, at the 22nd hosting of the games in Birmingham, England, Keevin Allicock handed the country a perfect start in its quest to replicate or better Wesley Christmas 1990 bronze medal performance in Auckland, New Zealand.
Allicock, the first boxer since John Douglas (1996) to feature at the Olympics, had an impressive performance in his bantamweight clash with Kenya’s Okoth Okongo in Round-of-32 action at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
The Forgotten Youth Foundation boxer punched his way to a perfect score on all five judges’ scorecards.
With his Unanimous Decision victory, Allicock will move on to the Round-of-16 to face Sri Lankan Nisshanka Bamunu on Monday.
At the 2018 Gold Coast Games, Allicock suffered a 1-4 defeat to Reece McFadden of Scotland, after a bye to the Round-of-16. Many felt that the result was not favourable to the Guyanese, since some pundits thought the fight was much closer.
The 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games silver medallist said in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, he kept the series of unfortunate results in mind.
“The Youth Commonwealth Games is where it all started. I did it then and I serve a God and I know he will do it all back again (for me). I’m here keeping focus and heading towards the gold,” Allicock said.
He added, “I’m trusting God all the time because he’s the one doing this for me. I can’t win these bouts for me. I can’t win these bouts on my own. So I’m just staying focused, executing all plans and we’ll take it from there.”
Meanwhile, junior welterweight, Colin Lewis, is down to compete today against Colin Louis Richamo from Mauritius.
Also stepping into the ring today will be Desmond Amsterdam who will be making his Commonwealth Games debut against New Zealand’s Richardson Emile.
Both Lewis and Amsterdam received byes to the Round-of-16 of their respective categories.
