Courts donates $$$ as ‘Firestorm’ heats up

Apr 17, 2013 Sports

The hours are quickly dwindling to minutes which in turn will dwindle to seconds and eventually on Saturday April 20 next, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and Clive Atwell will be required to back their chat when they enter the ‘square jungle’ against Jamaican, Sakima Mullings and Venezuelan, Raphael Hernandez respectively for prestigious titles.
Last Monday morning the organizers received a boost when Assuria Life, Pension, Fire and General Insurance of 133 North Road, Georgetown, made a tangible donation towards the success of the card.

Three quarters of a million dollars exchange hands as Mr. Abdool (right) and Mr. De Haas also exchange handshakes. Others in photo are Kester Abrahams and Pamela Humphrey (extreme left & right respectively) and Eastman and Atwell (3rd and 4th left).

The organizers continued to benefit from the largesse of the corporate community when President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool, visited the Main Street Georgetown office of furniture giants, Courts Guyana Ltd where one of the senior executives, Clyde De Haas, handed over a cheque for more than three quarter million dollars to offset the vast expenses associated with the organizing and promotion of the card.
Several other Courts executives shared the stage with Mr. De Haas including Public Relations Officer, Kester Abrahams and General Manager, Pamela Humphrey while participating boxers, Clive Atwell and Howard Eastman were also in attendance. “Courts Guyana Inc is pleased to be associated with this promotion and shares the dream of boxing executives that our boxers would achieve world class rankings,” said Mr. De Haas. He also assured the boxers that his company was firmly behind them. “Go out there and let your fists do the talking!” he implored them. Mr. Abrahams told the gathering that Courts is extremely delighted to be a part of the promotion. He said that his company has benefited immensely from the support of the Guyanese public and viewed the gesture as an act of reciprocation.
Mr. Abdool acknowledged the kind donation by Courts and reminded that their input was also extended to the Guyana Fight Night initiative and has always been valued. The GBBC boss said that the elevation of local boxers would not have been possible devoid of Courts’ input.
Meanwhile, Atwell and Eastman urged the fans to come out and enjoy a great show. “This is definitely going to be a firestorm,” exhorted Atwell. “I am ready to let my fists do the talking!” Eastman concurred.
Tickets are currently on sale at several venues including Courts, Main Street. Further, the furniture giants have extended its chivalry and patrons that purchase a suite will receive two tickets to view the card.
There will be another title fight between Mark Austin and the undefeated, Gladwin Dorway, for the local welterweight belt, while Syrian boxer, Mahmood ‘The Extractor’ Loul takes on Berbician, Derick Richmond in a 4 rounds super/middleweight clash. Hewley Robinson was initially billed to oppose Elton Dharry for the latter fighter’s local bantamweight crown but that fight was cancelled after Robinson sustained an injury during training sessions. Reports are that officials of the GBBC are working strenuously to have a worthwhile replacement for Dharry.
Dharry, Venezuelan, Raphael Hernandez and their entourages are due to arrive in Guyana early Friday morning.
Admission prices are VIP section, $10,000 while ringside seats are $5,000. The cost of a seat in the Stands is $2,500. Tickets could also be had at Nigel’s Supermarket and Gizmos and Gadgets.