Punching his way to the podium in recent international outings has catapulted standout boxer, Desmond Amsterdam further up in the amateur world rankings.
According to the latest International Boxing Association (IBA) world rankings which was released on Thursday, the middleweight orthodox fighter is ranked no.23 and has now ascended to being the highest ranked pugilist in Guyana.
The ‘title’ of the highest ranked local was previously held by featherweight star, Keevin Allicock, who was rated 19 in the previous ranking.
However, Allicock has slipped to 54 in his division.
When interviewed Saturday, the humble, soft-spoken workhorse said he was ‘elated’ at the feat.
“I am surprised and very much elated being Guyana’s highest IBA-ranked boxer,” he said.
“I give God the praise and glory for this achievement,” he added.
Trailing Amsterdam is light welterweight, Colin Lewis, Guyana’s next highest ranked boxer. He is rated 24 in his division.
Amsterdam, who turns 30 next month, earned a bronze medal at the South American Games earlier this month in Paraguay.
He also won a bronze medal at the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships in March in Ecuador.
A Sergeant in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Amsterdam attributes his success to ‘hard work and determination’ and thanked coaches, “Mr. Francisco (Roldan), Mr. Terence Poole and Sebert Blake for their tireless support.”
Amsterdam, who also represented Guyana at the Commonwealth Games in August, in England, added that his ultimate goal is break Guyana’s four-decade medal drought at the Olympic Games at Paris 2024. “In the next two years, my goal is to continue to train vigorously to reach my greatest heights in boxing. My aspiration for 2024 is to achieve one of my dreams which is to represent Guyana at the 2024 Olympics in Paris and to be successful in every one of my bouts.”
In a reaction, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle stated, “We are happy that our boxers have been able to tie down spots. It is my understanding that Colin Lewis is also high in the ratings.”
Ninvalle added that the GBA will continue to work with their prospects to ensure that they maximize their true potential.
“We will continue to work with Mr. Amsterdam, Lewis, Allicock and all other boxers, elite, youth, juniors and schoolboys and girls to make sure that they can reach their full potential” Ninvalle concluded.
