When tomorrow dawns Guyana’s Stephan Da Silva could be a world champion. Or not.
The 29-year-old Da Silva has been given a shot at a world title by fellow Guyanese and former IBF/IBO world champion Gairy `Superman’ St Clair after just one fight.
Da Silva, who began boxing in 2013, made his professional debut in April this year on Elton Dharry’s `Road to Redemption’ boxing card, stopping opponent Richard James in the first round of a scheduled four-rounder.
His world title fight today will take place at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre at West HQ in western Sydney and it will be his second professional fight. Since arriving in Australia, Da Silva has been training at St Clair’s Boxing Fitness Gym in the southern Sydney suburb of Gymea and has had sparring practice with Australia’s Olympic medallist, Harry Garside.
St Clair has teamed up with Warrior Fight Club and tonight’s card will see fighters from across the globe in action Down Under.
The other boxers, Kaitlyn Lodge (Australia), Syed Muhammad Asif (Pakistan) and Tim Hannan (Australia) will battle it out for glory on the night with Lodge fighting for the Super Welterweight WBL world title and DaSilva, the Bantamweight WBL world title.
Syed Muhammad Asif will be fighting for the World Boxing League (WBL) Asia-Pacific title.
Da Silva will battle William Mel of Fiji.
“I’m so happy to be able to give Stephan Da Silva the opportunity to claim the world title and put Guyana boxing on the map once again,” said St Clair.
“My home country is never far from my mind and to have someone from Georgetown fighting on the card at my first professional fight night is something I am very proud of,” he added.
The two world title fights, will be streamed live across the world on fite.tv.
“I’m incredibly proud to be a part of this fight night and giving all these inspiring boxers a chance at a WBL title,” said Australian National Boxing Hall of Famer St Clair.
“I was very lucky in my boxing career to have many people who helped me on my journey to becoming world champion, and I am honoured to be able to do the same for these fighters at my own fight night.”
“It’s going to be a massive night of professional bouts with two WBL world title fights on the line and a host of some of the world’s hottest boxing talent,” said Warrior Fight Club’s Justin Kallu.
“This will be the start of something amazing for the community and we look forward to bringing you the best of the best when it comes to professional boxing. Make sure you head down to West HQ on the night to be part of history.”
Guyana’s Clive Atwell is in Australia and will provide commentary St Clair told this newspaper Thursday night.
Fight fans here will be able to watch Da Silva in action line on fite.tv. To watch all the fights on the card for G$2100,fans can visit http://www.fite.tv and search for Gairy St Clair Superhero Fight Night.
