It was the proverbial calm before the storm type of situation last night at the Mirage Lounge, Albert and Thomas Streets when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) held its final press conference prior to tomorrow night’s `storm’ in the form of the Patrick Ford Memorial Boxing Card at the National Gymnasium.
In a picturesque stetting that was more apropos to dining, the event attracted former boxers Wayne Harris, Joseph Murray and Seibert Blake, all of whom had distinguished themselves in the sport in the past.
The discipline’s present day stars were also in attendance, world-ranked Desmond Amsterdam and Keevin Allicock of Guyana and Barbados’ Kamara Stuart, who is set to represent her island at the World Championships later this year.
Also present was Kalvin Nowell, first vice president of the Barbados Boxing Association who also doubles as coach.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle spoke of the excellent relationship that the two Caribbean countries enjoy which he declared was made stronger since
Dr. Mellissa Brandford Jones was elected president in 2021.
He also spoke of the hard work that was put in by himself and his executives whom he praised.
According to Ninvalle, the GBA was looking to host the tournament last year but was unable to do so because of the timing (they wanted to do it around Mashramani) and of course the ever present COVID-19 situation.
Technical Director of the GBA, Terrence Poole, (M.S) said that there were two changes to the card one of which was the withdrawal of top boxer Colin Lewis who is injured and the second was a change of opponent for star boxer Keevin Allicock who will now face Trinidad and Tobago’s John Joseph.
“Colin Lewis is not on the card anymore due to injury and Keevin Allicock will now box Anthony Joseph of Trinidad and Tobago. They would have fought before so now the rematch is on,” said Poole.
Poole said that tomorrow night’s card will feature some 16 bouts, three in the junior category, one local elite and 12 international bouts.
“The programme will start with the U-16 boxers which is Roopesh Balgobin of the Rose Hall Jammers and Glaston Winter of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym,” said Poole.
The two other U16 bouts will pit Euancy Marshal of the Vergenoogen Boxing Gym against Stephon Allicock of the Pace and Power Boxing Gym and Ezekiel Bancroft of Young Achievers against Keyon Britton of the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym.
In the Local Elite category, Mark Crawford of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym will come up against Clifton Graham of the Police Boxing Gym.
Tomorrow night’s card is a collaborative effort between the GBA and Alford Mc Donald.
“This is a sport that I’ve always loved,” said Mc Donald a former champion boxer in the Guyana Defence Force. Mc Donald, who declared that he wanted to give back to the sport added:”I know for a fact that we got another Patrick Ford in the set, another Lennox Blackmore, another Reginald Ford and another Kenny Bristol somewhere along the line.”
He suggested that with the support of the fans to complement the efforts of the GBA, Ninvalle, himself and Ceon Bristol, the sport can reach another level adding that he would like for the tournament to be held annually.
Meanwhile some of the boxers gave their thoughts on tomorrow night’s card with Alisha Jackman, who is heading to the world championships later this year, saying that although she was not in the ring for a while, she is determined to give of her best and make her coaches and the president, proud.
Also speaking were Amsterdam and Allicock the GBA’s two mega stars and while Amsterdam welcomed the Barbados delegation, Allicock said he was again looking to entertain the fans whom he urged to come out.
Alesha Jackman’s sister, Abiola, who seems a person who would much prefer to let her fists do the talking, said that she was ready to make her country proud.
The International card is below.
1. Jamal Eastman (GUY) vs Domelzo Schet (SUR)
2. Qunice Boyce (GUY) vs Richard Evert (SUR)
3. Nikaela Khodra (ST. LUCIA) vs Leeann Boodram (T&T) (FEMALE)
4. Brian Harris (GUY) vs Jaden Castillano (T&T)
5. Alesha Jackman (GUY) vs Shawnelle Hamid (T&T) (FEMALE)
6 Samuel Green (SUR) vs Patrick Harvey (GUY)
7. Joel Williamson (GUY) vs Jeremiah Toussaint (BAR)
8. Abiola Jackman (GUY) vs Kamara Stuart (BAR)
9. Ju Sean Shepherd (BAR) vs Jullius Kesney (GUY)
10. Troy Glasgow (GUY) vs Leandro Dongo (SUR)
11. John Joseph (T&T) vs Keevin Allicock (GUY)
12. Desmond Amsterdam (GUY) vs Nickelle Joseph (T&T)
