Boxing prospects, Abiola and Alesha Jackman will continue to hone their skills while in India at the ongoing International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Boxing Championships.
This is according to their coach Sebert Blake who is also on the subcontinent.
Blake told this publication recently that after both sisters lost their respective opening bouts at the event, he decided to utilize their downtime to spar and train with the cream of the world’s female pugilists.
“Their competition campaign ended but this is not the end of it here in India” said Blake.
The Three Star IBA Coach added, “We will continue our training and we will take the opportunity with the remaining days we have here to do sparring sessions with different girls from different countries.” Blake continued, “My plan is to have them spar with girls from countries in Africa and some European countries so that they can get a feel for different styles of fighting.”
Abiola suffered a unanimous decision loss to Nupur Sheoran in her opening round-of-16 heavyweight bout on Thursday, losing 5-0 on the cards. A day later, Alesha experienced a second round stoppage against Khadichabonu Abdullaeva of Uzbekistan in their round-of-32 bout at the 11-day event being staged at The Indira Gandhi Arena.
Despite early exits, Blake insisted that their experience will pay dividends.
“I think it was a great experience for them, things can only get better for them. This is a technique sport so I am glad they are getting to see boxing at a different level, not what they are accustomed to seeing in Guyana or the Caribbean.
They are getting to see real, true boxing , also I am making the effort to take them to every boxing match so they can be exposed to and experience real boxing.”
The 13th edition championship which started on March 15, is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
