Boxers signal intentions at ProAm Press conference

Aug 25, 2011 Sports

Barbados based boxing pugilist, Revlon Lake appeared in the studios of the National Communications Network (NCN) for the press conference to herald in the 17th edition of the ProAm boxing cards and promised to teach Cecil Smith a lesson in the finer arts of the sport. Cecil Smith sat one row away from Lake and scoffed at the remark while warning Lake to come prepared for a boxing lesson.
Most of the other boxers were also in attendance and as usual there were caustic remarks as each fighter attempted to grab a psychological edge. Lake’s claim to fame was an upset knockout victory over Mark Austin in an earlier edition of the card and from all appearances would want to replicate that feat.

Terrence Poole, Howard Cox and Peter Abdool (from left sitting) join the boxers on show just after the press conference

However, boxing buffs would remember that Austin had dominated the early rounds with Lake dominating the latter. Nevertheless Lake scoffed at the suggestion that he is a late fighter while explaining that he had entered that fight with an injury to his toe. “I was being cautious but when I eventually got my rhythm I just dominated the fight,” explained Lake. He said that for this bout he would be throwing leathers from the very first gong.
Smith refused to be drawn into a verbal battle and simply promised to beat up Lake. He had made a similar promise when he appeared on ‘Boxing Revue,’ last Wednesday night and had promised his fans that he would be prepared for anything Lake has to offer. He remains resolute to his words.
Cleveland Fraser also flew in from his adopted home in Barbados. He battles Kwesi Jones for the latter fighter’s local light/heavyweight crown. Fraser would be seeking redemption after the humiliating loss to local and Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) heavyweight champion, Kurt Bess in Linden recently.
He subsequently returned to Barbados and resumed training at the Carrington Boxing gym. When pressed for a commented Fraser opted to remain silent.
Jones was anything but reticent as he reiterated the importance of the fight towards the advancement of his career. He was further encouraged to go for a win after President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool disclosed that the CABOFE light/heavyweight title is up for grabs following Eastman’s recent lost to Trinidadian Kurt Sinnette. The latter fighter is now scheduled to fight Shawn Corbin with the winner taking on the winner of the Fraser/Jones bout.
The other professional bouts to complete the card are Pauline London up against Veronica Blackman and Ray Sandiford who tackles Barbadian based Guyanese, Gardiel Roberts. London said that she regards a victory as extremely important after she had dropped two earlier decisions to Blackman. “I have trained hard for this fight and will go for a win,” she declared. Sandiford was just as emphatic, “I have seen Robert when he fought Fraser and I am not impressed. I will utilize my vast experience from my international exposure as an amateur fighter to take this fight,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abdool urged the boxers to train diligently because he is currently negotiating with several Mexican fighters, all CABOFE title holders, to match gloves with their local counterparts. The GBBC president hinted that these fighters might comprise a major card in the near future. He also complimented the executives of the Guyana
Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) for the quality of boxers appearing on the card.
The GBBC boss singled out ALBA Games bronze medalist, Imran Khan who he said has great potential and should do Guyana proud once he continues to diligently apply himself to his training.
Khan battles Richard Williamson in the first of four amateur bouts which precede the professionals.
The others are Nankumar Singh against Marlon Daryl, Eon Bancroft takes on Kelsie George and Akeem Daniels fights Romel Rowley.
The ProAm boxing cards are an initiative of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), National Communications Network (NCN) and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports. The corporate entities that are responsible for the success of the card are Giftland Office Max, NCN, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ansa McAl, Courts, Guyoil, Digicel and Banks DIH Ltd.