GBBC President lauds viability of ProAm cards

Aug 25, 2010 Sports

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President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) Peter Abdool is adamant that there have been notable improvements in the boxing arena ever since the birth of the ProAm boxing card, inaugurated in February this year.
Mr. Abdool was at the time assessing the general output of the card at the monthly press briefing in the studios of the National Communication Network (NCN) yesterday afternoon. The GBBC boss pointed out that the core purpose of the cards is to improve the quality of boxing while providing constant and qualitative activity for local pugilists. He also voiced the hope that the cards would be the catalyst to the procurement of that elusive Olympic gold medal.

“The last six cards have been very qualitative and from all indications will continue to improve,” said Mr. Abdool. He further appealed for the support of the corporate community in realizing the objective of promoting the monthly card. “We are indeed grateful for the input of the many firms towards the success of the programme but I wish to appeal for added support and also to encourage other corporate entities to get on board, Mr. Abdool said.
Several business enterprises came in for high praise for their support and included Digicel, Courts, Ansa McAl, and Giftland Office Max. Another entity, the Ministry of Agriculture, joined the other companies in offering adequate sponsorship and Mr. Abdool extended his gratitude to the Minister and other principals for such support.
The bouts are staged on the last Friday of every month and despite the low turnout witnessed to date, Mr. Abdool remains adamant that the forum is serving its purpose. “While the attendance at the venue has been somewhat sparse, I have received feedback that the television audience has been growing,” Mr. Abdool revealed. He expressed satisfaction at this since he feels that the objective of creating an awareness of the untapped talent available locally was being met. Mr. Abdool also believes that the card is serving the desired purpose. “We’ve had more local cards in the first eight months of the year than we’ve had for a similar period last year,” he said.
Meanwhile, only a few of the boxers appearing on the card were at the forum. Notwithstanding this, the promoters have promised another exciting night of fistic fury and urged the patrons to come out in their numbers. Indeed from all appearances the boxers are carefully matched.
The catchweight affair between Mandessa Moses and Sharon Ward has assumed main bout status, while the Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes/ Theophilus King shindig should provide excitement galore. In the third edition of the ProAm card, the two faced off and Gilkes had pounded out a unanimous verdict over Theophilus King.
The latter fighter had cried foul while demanding a rematch. The organizers of the ProAm affair have decided to call King’s bluff and the two are scheduled to face off to settle the issue once and for all.
This should be a good bout as Gilkes attempts to establish his dominance while King will want to avenge the loss.
In another interesting bout, Errol Trotman, an experienced pugilist will don gloves against Mark Austin in a junior/welterweight showdown. Austin is relatively new in the professional arena but to date has chalked up two wins against more experienced fighters than he. Cecil Smith was the first to feel his hands and meekly surrendered a unanimous verdict. In the last card Austin literally bulldozed the more experienced Shawn Pyle on his way to a one sided majority decision.
Despite his lengthy hiatus from the ring, Trotman could be dangerous. In his last fight against Linden Author he had unleashed a two fisted assault on his opponent but dwindled at the latter stages of the bout to eventually surrender the close encounter. Austin is no Linden Author so Trotman would feel that he may have the advantage in experience. However, what the former fighter lacks in experience he makes up in determination. This is the trait that could distinguish between the two pugilists.
The last time Rudolph Fraser entered the ring, he was bulldozed by a stronger, more determined Troy Lewis in less than two minutes of the first stanza. He has since conformed to a mandatory rest from the sport and is now ready top battle once again. His opponent is Dexter Marques, a classy bantamweight whose only loss came at the hands of Leon Moore. Since then he has managed to redeem himself with a victory over Paul Lewis.
Still on the redemption trail, Marques would want to prove that despite his loss to Moore he is still a top notch boxer. Fraser, also on the redemption trail, would be hungry for a win since he has great plans to reinstate himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Boxing buffs desirous of witnessing live action can do so by visiting the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). Otherwise, those unable to witness the live action may tune in to NCN 11 to catch the action as it unfolds. Bell time is 20:00hrs.

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Rudolph Mitchell continues winning streak

Facilitates race walk forum for youngsters

Rudolph Mitchell returned after a temporary absence from the race walking scene to reinforce his dominance when the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club staged a 5 mile race from the Soesdyke Methodist Church up to the Bounty Farms Ltd, Timerhi and back to its point of origin.
With this victory the prolific race walker has stretched his unbeaten record to 110 races.
Jeremy Cornelius was relegated to the second place while Donna Ramkissoon and Kenneth Singh finished in the third and fourth place respectively.
The CS&TC next plans a 10 lap race around the Soesdyke junction on Sunday August 29. This race starts at the Soesdyke Methodist Church and brings the curtains down on the CS&TC race walk month of activities.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the CS&TC have organized a summer camp for all aspiring junior race walkers commencing on tomorrow morning and culminating on Saturday 28. National race walker Rudolph Mitchell will team up with other experienced race walkers to impart valuable knowledge and techniques on the finer aspects of the sport to the participants.
A release from the CS&TC informs that the aim of the exercise is to foster qualitative performances among the junior race walkers.
At the conclusion of these sessions the CS&TC will stage a back to school race walk around the Soesdyke area commencing at 06:30hrs. The respective winners would receive trophies and school paraphernalia.

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