In what can only be described as an historic accomplishment, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will be represented by a combined 20 pugilists and officials at three international assignments, marking the most active overseas week in the history of the organization.
The traveling contingent is scheduled to depart local shores tomorrow and Friday respectively for St. Lucia, Barbados and Uzbekistan, a release from the Guyana Boxing Association stated yesterday.
Alesha Jackman, alongside sibling Abiola Jackman, who created history by becoming the first Guyanese females to receive International Boxing Association (IBA) rankings, are at the forefront of two of the international assignments.
Alesha, who is ranked 58th in the Elite Women 60-63 Kg or junior welterweight division, will spearhead a 12-member roster of nine pugilists and three coaches to compete in the Champion-of-Champions tournament in St. Lucia. The event concludes Sunday.
The boxers who will depart local shores tomorrow are: Tofina Barker (junior 54-57kg), Alesha Jackman (elite 60-63kg), Jamal Eastman (elite 60-63.5kg), Brian Harris (elite 71-75kg), Quincy Boyce (elite 75-80kg), Kevon Harris (elite 80-86kg), Emmanuel Pompey (elite 86-92kg), Tiquan Sampson (junior 57-60kg) and Shakquain James (youth 63.5-67kg).
Sebert Blake, Clifton Moore and his name sake Clifton Barker will serve as the coaches during the sojourn.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Abiola Jackman, who is now classified 27th in the world in the Elite Women 81 and over Kg or heavyweight division, along with Joel Williamson (elite 57-60kg) will depart for Barbados to compete on a card at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium Saturday. National coach Lennox Daniels will accompany the duo.
Similarly, Sportsman-of-the-Year and 23rd IBA-ranked Desmond Amsterdam alongside 54th IBA-ranked Keevin Allicock, will commence their journey to Uzbekistan from Friday for the World Championships.
The two boxers will participate in a one-week training camp before entering the prestigious event.
President of the GBA Steve Ninvalle in an invited comment stated, “Undoubtedly this is the most active international week for the discipline in the history of the association. In the space of two days, 20 pugilists and officials will depart local shores to represent Guyana in three nations.
This significant moment comes on the heels of having female boxers represent Guyana at the World Championships in India which resulted in historic rankings.”
He added, “We have continued to emphasize that we will be exposing our talents in every category and division and this is clearly indicative and evident of such.
The team in particular, that will be travelling to St. Lucia, is littered with juniors and youth boxers which highlights our unrelenting attention on our nursery.”
