Local pugilists hard at work in preparation of international duties

Apr 19, 2010 Sports

Several of the country’s pugilists are currently undergoing stiff training at various gyms around Georgetown in preparation for international fights soon.

Gwendolyn O’Neil, who had defeated Kathy Rivers in May 2004 to be the first woman to win a world title for Guyana, is at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG), Albouystown, ardently engaged in preparations for a light/heavyweight tile fight against American, Crystal Davids for the WIBA light/heavyweight title in a bout scheduled for May 7 in New York.

Denny Dalton (left) and Gwendolyn O’Neil engage each other during a sparring session at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis gym.

‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton is scheduled to appear on the same card against Hector ‘Machito’ Camacho, the son of former world champion, Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho. Both fighters were hard at work yesterday morning at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Albouystown, honing their skills.

Both fighters engaged in rigorous sparring sessions against each other while coach, Lennox Daniels directed the sessions. He will accompany the local team to the championships while Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore will accompany the trio as a sparring partner as well as to provide inspiration to the boxers. Dalton’s contract recently arrived in Guyana and already he has signed the document and returned same to the New York promoters. American based promoter/matchmaker; Seon Bristol was instrumental in making the bout a reality.

Meanwhile, local heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers is also preparing for a ring date against Kertson Manswell, scheduled for Marabella, Trinidad And Tobago, on April 25 next. The 33 years old Manswell has scored a third round technical knockout over Rogers early in his career and would feel that he could repeat the feat.

However, both fighters have since graduated into the professional ranks and have enjoyed some amount of success. Mitchell had scored a knockout victory over Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes to win the local heavyweight title while Manswell has had engagements in several countries worldwide including Belgium where he defeated Malcolm Ancwert in his own backyard. Manswell is Trinidad’s heavyweight champion by dint of a fourth round knockout over Jimmy ‘Farmer’ Joseph.