The meteoric rise of its fighters has seemingly inspired the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to raise its bar as well.
This was evident last Sunday with the staging of the top quality Patrick Ford Memorial Tournament where the overflowing, tastefully decorated National Gymnasium was buzzing with excited fight fans.
The bar was certainly raised and according to President of the association, Steve Ninvalle, he intends to maintain that elevated standard.
“We set quite a high standard and it is to maintain” said Ninvalle yesterday. “Come next year, we expect not only to maintain the standard of the Patrick Ford Memorial, but also to raise the standard of our statutory competitions as well.”
Ninvalle opined last Sunday night’s 12-fight card was historic.
“The ambience, the crowd support and the competitive nature of the fights, every single one of them. I have not seen the National Gymnasium filled to such capacity. I would have seen the Sports Hall filled, but I have never seen the Gymnasium filled to that capacity.”
He added, “I think in the past two decades, I have not seen a local card as comprehensive as that. In addition, I have never been to a card whereby we had that sort of ambience, the decor, everything.
We would have had ushers, I have never been to a card where there were ushering VVIP and the VIPS. For me, it was really heartwarming that people came out and enjoyed themselves, those in VIP and VVIP areas could have sat at cocktail tables and be served while being able to view that sort of fistic excitement that was on display.”
Ninvalle stated that the GBA and McDonald Promotions KO’d any amateur card that was staged in the Caribbean in recent memory.
“The GBA and McDonald’s Promotion, I think we have taken amateur boxing to another level, not only in Guyana but the Caribbean since I have never seen that sort of thing throughout my travels in the Region.”
Ninvalle went onto state there was a certain hype about the card which was headlined by Sportsman-of-The-Year, Desmond Amsterdam, with Olympian, Keevin Allicock in the co-feature.
He then extended heartfelt gratitude to the Guyana Defence Force and Chief of Staff, Brigadier, Godfrey Bess.
“Brigadier Bess had promised that the GDF would be out in numbers to support their own, Sergeant Amsterdam and that happened. The rhythmic drumming had the whole crowd on its feet.”
Amsterdam nicknamed ‘Dynamite’ detonated against his middleweight rival, Nickelle Joseph of Trinidad and Tobago, finishing off the one-sided affair in two rounds.
Ninvalle concluded by reiterating what is in store for fight fans at the next GBA events.
“When we have our National Novices competition, people can look forward to a National Novice with a difference, the National Intermediate and the National Open. Even the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Tournament, there will be of a difference.
This is something we have started and patrons now come knowing that they can be seated comfortably while watching boxing of a very high standard.”
Up next on the GBA’s calendar is the National Novices Championship. The championship is slated for sometime in April at the same venue.
