-sparks fly as Imran Khan and Laured Stewart face-off at weigh-in
By Michaelangelo Jacobus
As is customary, the day before a boxing card, there is a weigh-in ceremony where boxers, as the name suggests, are weighed ahead of their respective fights as well as face-off against opponents.
Last evening as the boxers on the “Fight Night” card gathered to go through their weigh-in rituals, spectators and well-wishers present at the Everest Cricket Club got a glimpse of what is anticipated to be an action-packed card slated for tonight at the same venue.
While Dexter Marques and Elton Dharry, both veterans in their own right, are the headliners for tonight’s card in their World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Flyweight Gold Belt title bout, fans will be looking out keenly for the Cruiserweight fight between Laured Stewart and Imran Khan. The duo during their weigh-in process and face-off, got into a heated exchange of shoves as tempers flared, giving a preview of what “Fight Night” will have on offer.
Dharry who is regarded as one of Guyana’s best Super Flyweight boxers spoke to Stabroek Sport ahead of tonight’s encounter and expressed absolute confidence in himself.
“I’m in top shape and I am confident that I can go out there and execute my plan”, he said. Quizzed about his preparations, Dharry revealed; “I have been preparing for this fight for a few months and with the work I have put in I know that I can reap the rewards”.
While both Marques and Dharry are Guyanese and have fought (Dharry won in 2011), sparred and trained together in the past, the latter noted that being countrymen means nothing to him once they hit the ring come tonight. “It’s a sport and once we enter that ring, he’s my opponent and I will do what I need to, to succeed”.
On the other hand, Marques also expressed confidence in his ability, promising fans a night to remember as he goes for the title.
One of Guyana’s most promising amateur boxers, Keevin Allicock will make his professional debut in the Junior Lightweight class against Barbados’ Tishaun Sheperd who has promised to knock out his opponent.
However, Allicock told this newspaper that preparation is key to winning and his training in the build-up to tonight’s encounter has been thorough. “I am not blinking, I am focused and I am prepared for tonight’s challenge”.
“Fight Night”, an Elton Dharry Promotions card will feature seven bouts inclusive of Dharry vs Marques, Imran Khan vs Laured Stewart and Allicock vs Sheperd.
The other fights will see Rafa Marquez and Giancarlo Rodrigues clash in a flyweight encounter while Guyana’s Terrence Adams will face Pedro Sanchez (Venezuela) in a Super Bantamweight bout.
Edwin Declou will take on Charwin Estwick in an all-Guyanese Super Middleweight fight as well.
Other bouts include a Bantamweight fight featuring Stefan Da Silva and a female Super Flyweight encounter between a Colombian and a Panamanian fighter. The card is slated to begin at 8 pm at the Everest Cricket Club Ground and is sanctioned by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) and the WBA with international judges on hand to officiate.
