Guyanese pugilists Shakquain James and Abiola Jackman delivered outstanding performances at the Trinidad and Tobago National Boxing Championships last weekend. The event, hosted at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville, brought together top regional fighters as part of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association’s roadmap to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
James, competing in the elite division for the first time, made a seamless transition from his stellar youth boxing career. The young welterweight showcased remarkable maturity and skill, defeating Trinidadian Nervin Boy in commanding fashion. Boy, overwhelmed by James’s sharp technique, speed, and composure, was unable to continue after the first round.
On the other hand, Jackman, competing in the heavyweight division, also made her mark. In a tightly contested bout, she edged out Amanda George with a hard-fought 3-2 victory to further solidify her reputation as one of the region’s top female heavyweights.
Steve Ninvalle, president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), expressed pride in the duo, commending their performances and their potential as rising stars in Caribbean boxing.
“Both Shakquain and Abiola have done us proud. Their performances underscore the talent we have in Guyana and the importance of exposing our fighters to high-level competition,” Ninvalle said.
He emphasized the significance of regional exposure for Guyanese boxers, noting the GBA’s commitment to providing more opportunities for athletes to compete at regional and international levels.
In addition to celebrating the achievements of James and Jackman, Ninvalle highlighted the GBA’s focus on developing the next generation of boxing talent. The association is preparing for the upcoming 2025 Pepsi/Michael Paris National U16 Championships, which will be held at the Andrew ‘Six-Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown.
Reflecting on the success of last year’s youth tournaments, Ninvalle stated, “In 2024, we hosted 16 U16 tournaments, all sponsored by Pepsi. These tournaments were instrumental in fostering young talent and keeping the sport alive at the grassroots level. This year, we’re looking to host even more.”