Sportsman-of-the-Year, Desmond Amsterdam and Olympian, Keevin Allicock currently have their hard hats on in Uzbekistan, focused and training for the stern test that is imminent.
So said Terrence Poole, Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) who is on the sojourn with the dynamic duo as they prepare for the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships.
In an update, Poole said that the boxers have been looking “sharp and focused” during the one-week, high level training camp which precedes the May 1-14 Championship.
“They are getting a lot of high level sparring which is good for their improvement and they look focused and are training hard. They look up to the task ahead,” Poole concluded.
Amsterdam will compete in the lucrative championships in the middleweight division while Allicock will match gloves with the world’s best amateur featherweights.
Big stakes and big bucks are on the line.
According to IBA, 104 countries have registered to take part in the Championships in the Uzbekistan capital, Tashkent at the Humo Arena. More than 640 boxers are currently registered to participate in 13 men’s weight categories.
Seven defending World Champions are among those who will fight for glory in Tashkent, including Sofiane Oumiha from France, Tomoya Tsuboi and Sewonrets Okazawa from Japan, Loren Alfonso from Azerbaijan, Saken Bibossinov from Kazakhstan, Yoenlis Hernandez Martinez and Julio La Cruz from Cuba to shine in the ring again.
Many more medallists from various World Championships editions are going to be in action where strong newcomers at the international stage and experienced participants are going to challenge the titleholders.
Doubled prize money fund of US$5.2 million is at stake with gold medallists receiving US$200,000. For runners-up, the prize is US$100,000, and each of the third place finisher will be awarded US$50,000.
“It’s a positive signal and a testimony of the rapid development of our sport worldwide that so many nations are sending their boxers to Uzbekistan,” IBA President Umar Kremlev said.
“I reiterate that IBA’s main goal is to create opportunities for all of our boxers, so they can perform and show their best at the international level. IBA is successfully doing that today, giving an example of how an International Federation should treat their athletes. We are looking forward to delivering an unforgettable event in Tashkent in close cooperation with the Uzbekistan Boxing Federation.”
