DeGroot, Shondell Alfred trade caustic words

Sep 25, 2009 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
Lights, Camera, Action! The stage is set for the world title bout between local bantamweight queen, Shondell Alfred and American Gladiator, Corrine DeGroot and from all appearances an action packed encounter is envisaged.
The two boxers exchanged light banter at a press conference at the NCN studios yesterday morning in what was obviously the ‘feeling out’ process. The exchanges lacked venom but the underlying intentions were clear. DeGroot assumed a gracious stance when asked to predict the outcome of the fight. “I heard that Shondell is a tough fighter and I do respect that all fighters train to win but let’s see what will happen on fight night,” was her cagey response.
Alfred, for her part, was a little more garrulous, “Corrine is an American Gladiator and I respect that but I am a Guyanese boxer and I hope she respects that also,” retorted Alfred. “I am a former police officer and an American Gladiator but most importantly I’m an undefeated fighter with a passion for tough battles,” countered DeGroot.
Indeed, Alfred is prepared to back her chat. After weeks of ardent preparations at the Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym in Albouystown, the bantamweight queen prepares to enter the ring tomorrow night for what is undoubtedly the most important fight of her career. Already, the pundits are wagging their tongues and the general feeling is that this fight is no walk over.
The fight for the WIBA title is scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow night and the chaste disposition adopted by DeGroot at the pre fight press conference at the NCN Studios yesterday morning should not be confused for fear.
On the contrary, Alfred was more outspoken and refuses to let this opportunity of a lifetime slip by. The two boxers were exchanging light banter in what was obviously the ‘feeling out’ process. What is obvious is that if the boasts echoed at the press conference are to be taken seriously, then fans can expect a scorcher of a fight.
DeGroot debunked the view that her activities as an American Gladiator were totally removed from her boxing life. “Almost everything that I have done in life is mentally and physically demanding so obviously my activities as an American Gladiator would complement my boxing activities,” she asserted. Notwithstanding such logics, Alfred remains unimpressed and staunchly believes she has what it takes to come out victorious.
The main preliminary bout between Leon ‘Hurry up’ Moore and former 5 times Colombian world champion, Mauricio Pastrana, also promises a chockfull of excitement. Pastrana appears to be as hard as nails and his weather beaten face speaks volumes of the many wars he has fought.
Out of 49 bouts, the Columbian has had his hands lifted 36 times while 24 of his opponents were not around to hear the final bell. With such statistics, his trainer, Nelson Lopez is confident that his charge would prevail. Pastrana also has the advantage in the department of experience.
He has been at the top of the heap, having won world titles under the auspices of several prestigious world bodies including the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF.
“I know that I am fighting in Moore’s hometown but I am not worried. My aim is to win this fight,” said Pastrana through interpreter Lopez.
The former world champion drew vociferous applause from the studio audience when he declared, “Saturday night there would be a new champion and that would be me!”
Moore, for his part, warmly welcomed the former world champion to these shores. “Guyanese are usually friendly people and we normally extend warm welcome to visitors but this type of hospitality ends just before I enter the ring,” he warned. He then advised Pastrana to enjoy as much of the hospitality while it lasted.
“That’s what most of my opponents tell me,” retorted Pastrana, “but when I hit them with this right hand (he folds his fists ominously) they forget what they have said.
Pastrana’s coach, Lopez is also oozing confidence and says that his charge would take home the spoils at the end of a bruising affair. “This is the ultimate test for Leon. I am aware that my boy is fighting in his backyard so we would do what we have to do to win this bout,” he said.
If these two bouts are not enticing enough, fans could look forward to the Howard Eastman/Kevin Placide middleweight clash. A Barbadian that has proved his worth, Placide has been engaged in two epic battles with ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton and his losses was by no means embarrassing but could be attested to the fact that he definitely fought a better boxer. Obviously, he would be seeking revenge when he faces ‘The Battersea Bomber.’
In another bout worth its weight, Wayne Briggs, a mean seasoned contender, takes on Iwan Azore, is a no nonsense boxer who wastes little time in getting the job done.
Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas found this out when he fought Azore for the local junior welterweight crown and suffered a humiliating first round knockout. Briggs is still to kiss canvass in his professional career but Azore, who recently returned from his adopted home, Trinidad and Tobago, is looking kittle trim and would obviously want to be the first to accomplish this feat.
Former bantamweight king, Dexter Marques, will obviously be anxious to prove that his loss against Moore three months ago has not hindered his ambitions. He returns to fight Hewley Robinson in what is expected to be a thriller.
Robinson has fought most of his fights in the Land of the Flying Fish and would be anxious to showcase his skills before his hometown fans.
The highly anticipated heavyweight fight between Collins and Rogers fell through after the former fighter, quite understandably, experienced cold feet and cancelled the appointment.
The fighters are scheduled to present themselves for the weigh in and medical examination at the King’s Plaza, Main Street this evening in preparation for a night of fistic fury tomorrow evening.

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