The death is announced of Boxing???

Feb 23, 2009 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

Boxing buffs who would have experienced the historic encounters of yesteryear would obviously be nurturing bouts of nostalgia at what obtains for boxing cards these days. Ironically, the purses on offer these days, far exceeds those offered to past pugilists. Yet amidst the ridiculously large sums asked by local fighters to engage in combat, the level of competition has diminished so drastically that one wonders whether the sport that has brought Guyana so much international acclaim can survive for another decade.

In the past, fighters the likes of Lennox Blackmoore and Patrick Ford among others, practiced their trade locally and then traveled to other countries to demolish rated opponents in their own backyard.

Blackmoore dished out a first class licking to Jonathon Dele and lifted the Commonwealth lightweight title while Former featherweight champion, Patrick Ford emulated this feat after thrashing Eddie Nduku. Those were the days of unified titles when being rated among the ten best in a division was not so easily attained. Yet Ford and Blackmoore toiled on and managed to earn world title shots while practicing their trade right here in Guyana.

Indeed boxers, the likes of the two mentioned above along with Kenny Bristol, Brian Muller, Michael Reid and Cleveland Denny, among others lit up the local scene and left indelible marks. More importantly, these fighters left a rich legacy for other pugilists to build on. Sadly, the present situation suggests that Guyana has not truly taken advantage of the input of these former stalwarts.

Ironically, despite the current low standard of boxing as compared to those days, there has been a sudden influx of world titles attained after ‘Lewis’ victory over James Page. These fighters, unlike Ford and Blackmoore et al, are all practicing their trade in the USA, considered to be the Mecca of boxing.

Wayne Braithwaite and Vivian Harris are both fighting out of the USA while Gary StClair is in Australia. A few of our boxers are in Trinidad and Tobago practicing their trade while others are in every other conceivable place, except Guyana. The concomitant result of this anomaly, simply put, is that the qualitative boxing cards of the past have been reduced to mere farces even as the promoters attempt to utilize the available resources to fill the void.

When Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis knocked out James Page and broke the world title jinx the general belief was that the sport would have received a well-deserved fillip thus creating opportunities for other local boxers. This was not to be and even though local stalwarts the likes of Harris, StClair and Braithwaite did manage to emulate ‘Lewis’ feat, the effects on the local boxing front remained at zero.

Our boxers have since lost those world titles, and just as this country has been in the limelight when they reigned, so are we now cast in the background following their losses. The proof that Guyana has not really benefited from the world title victories is now more evident when we examine the status quo.

To begin with, the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing gym built in honour of the champ and touted as a venue for the development of other youngsters nurturing fistic ambitions, is but a mere clubhouse where boxers convene to train. The widely promised academic programmes and other developmental strategies have never gotten off the ground. The board of directors that comprised a group of influential persons, put there to monitor the physical and mental development of the ghetto youth, are no longer in place and there has been no word as to whether plans are still in train to continue in this vein.

The state of affairs is truly appalling and the structured developmental programme initially projected is now more of a fantasy and a myth.

The local boxing cards have dried up, not for the lack of alacrity on the part of the promoters, but a paucity of good talent and, sad to say, adequate corporate intervention.

Now, after a prolonged drought, a promoter has decided to take the risks and promote a card. Faced with the above-mentioned challenges, this is indeed a courageous move. The card is set for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the promoters, King Solomon’s Enterprise, have set February 28 for the card.

The main bout will see Lennox Allen matching gloves with Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes while Howard ‘The Battersea Bomber’ Eastman returns after a narrow win over Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis to battle Clyde Williams in a ten rounder.

Indeed, after such a prolonged drought, boxing buffs would be more than eager to witness a fulfilling night of fistic fury. Whether they are prepared to fork out the required entrance fee is another matter. The main, as well as the main supporting bouts are generally the ones that usually pique the interest of boxing buffs. However, the odd preliminary bouts have oft times delivered more excitement than the main bouts. Nevertheless, unless there is a lucrative main bout, fans would not want to fork out their hard-earned cash to go to the venues.

The February 28 card is an interesting one for several reasons. Firstly, it looks as though rising star Lennox Allen is now set to launch his international career and this bout may be the last we see him in action for some time as it seems as though he may be heading up north to continue his career.

He has recently disclosed that he was recently engaged in discussions with American promoter, Don Goosen, who has a great amount of influence in the professional boxing arena in the USA. Goosen has shown an interest in Allen and wishes to sign up a deal for future fights. Allen said that after he is finished with the Gilkes encounter he plans to hook up with Goosen. He said that the Howard Eastman clash would be deferred for a later date.

This simply means that the last of our budding talent is about to leave us. Indeed such a vicious one-two combination will send promoters reeling and boxing buffs disgusted at the turn of events. However, the reality of the situation is that local fighters nurturing ambitions to climb into the world ratings will definitely have to move out of Guyana and hone their skills in an environment conducive to such development.

Recently, at a meeting to

discuss a way out of this dilemma, the executive members of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) decided to grab the proverbial bull by the horns. They have decided to start by promoting the young talent, even as they inject some of the seasoned boxers into the mix.

The idea is to introduce the new brigade of boxers on cards that comprise the more seasoned fighters. They believe that boxing buffs may be able to assess the young talent even as the more seasoned fighters provide the action-packed encounters.

I am no pessimist and while I would like to laud the GBBC for their staunch efforts to revive a dying sport, I am not certain if this initiative will be widely supported by the paying public.

The reality is that money is hard to come by these days and once attained, fans are not willing to release it senselessly.

The sad reality is that our stalwarts of yesteryear have laid a strong foundation and left our nation with a rich legacy that no one felt obliged to preserve. The present situation is the concomitant result.

Maybe it is not too late to initiate discussions towards a hall of fame for past local pugilists.

It may also be worth the while for local boxers to engage in discussions with older folks concerning the rich legacy left by the Will Bhoodoos, Caesar Barrows, Cliff Andersons et al. We also need to establish a platform that will forever display the achievements and contributions of past stalwarts the likes of Lennox Blackmoore, Patrick and Reggie Ford, Terrence Alli, Vernon Lewis, Mark Harris, Kenny Bristol and Brian Muller, past pugilists that have all contributed to the rich legacy of boxing.

We also cannot forget other contemporary boxers the likes of Anthony Andrews, Daurius Forde, Wayne Smith and Barrington Cambridge among others. These fighters should be respected for their contributions to our rich boxing heritage and as a reminder to the young generation of the rich history we have had in the fistic arena.

At the moment the bells are chiming a death knell. The actions of all stakeholders will decide whether we will sing ‘Amazing Grace’ after the card this month end.

 

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