Alfred steps up preparation for return bout with DeGroot

Apr 05, 2010 Sports

By Michael Benjamin

Today is a national holiday. Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred would have liked to be on the Seawalls or in the National Park flying a kite with her son. Instead, the diminutive bantamweight is hard at work at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), honing her skills and mercilessly whipping herself into the desired shape for her return bout with Canadian/Guyanese, Corrine ‘Sexy Panther’ Van Ryck DeGroot scheduled for Sunday May 2 at the Princess Hotel, Providence EBD.

The bout is promoted by McNeal Enterprises, headed by promoter, Odinga Lumumba after he had won a purse bid organized by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control. Alfred, who signed the contract to engage in the highly touted return about three weeks ago, immediately opened camp at the Albouystown facility under the stewardship of coaches, Sebert Blake and former Fecarbox bantamweight champion, Joseph Murray. Yesterday morning, she boxed ten tough rounds against Murray and despite the obvious gap in experience, still managed to hold her own for the entire session.

Contrary to the situation in their first outing when she knew little about her opponent, Alfred said that she is cognizant of DeGroot’s style and is preparing for a competitive battle. The later fighter is a mean southpaw and in order to accommodate Alfred adequately, Murray switched from his usual orthodox stance to that of southpaw. Alfred seemed to be grasping the fundamentals as she attacked and defended at the appropriate moments.

Murray explained that during the first bout Alfred had fought hard and had faded away in the latter stages of the bout. He said that his role as her sparring partner was to create all of the situations that may possibly arise so that she could devise sound counteracting strategies.

Indeed, Alfred was pushed to the hilt as Murray attacked relentlessly. To her credit, she did manage to slip many of the punches even as she retaliated with combinations of her own. “I know that I have to work on my stamina and I am concentrating heavily in that area,” said Alfred moments after wrapping up sparring sessions. “This time around I will prepare for ten hectic rounds,” she promised.

Quizzed on any desire to abbreviate the bout, Alfred remained guarded, “I am preparing to go the distance but if by chance the opportunity comes to end it then I will take it,” said the WIBA champion.

Sebert Blake has been with Alfred for most of her professional career. He still believes that Alfred won the first encounter fair and square. The former amateur champion is confident that his charge would replicate the feat. “I have evaluated the last performance and will be the first to admit that Shondell had made some crucial mistakes,” said he. “However, I still believe that she had won the fight and can repeat the feat in the second match,” assured Blake.

The coach further explained that he has devised a programme that focuses on improvement in the conditioning and stamina of his charge. However, he promised not to sacrifice speed and power for accuracy. “I know that Shondell’s fans would be questioning her approach to this fight but there are a few things I would like to keep close to my chest so as to foster the element of surprise,” Blake said.

He assured that Alfred would be well prepared for combat on fight night. To date Alfred has engaged in approximately sixty rounds of sparring and Blake revealed that the journey has only now begun. There is no paucity of sparring partners as most of the young boxers of the FYF are prepared to support Alfred in her quest to retain the prestigious belt she won last year.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News