Giraldo Cordova Cardin International Boxing Tournament …

Jun 21, 2013 Sports

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Cuban coach adamant that though local pugilists lost fights they won in experience
By Michael Benjamin
The team of boxers that had participated in the 41st edition of the Giraldo Cordova Cardin International Boxing tournament in Havana, Cuba returned to Guyana empty handed about one week ago, and Cuban coach, Francisco Hernandez Roldon, feels that though the preparations were adequate, the lukewarm input towards the preparations along with several other factors could have been blamed for the eventual results. That apart, the Cuban coach is adamant that the tournament was of immense benefit to the local boxers.
Señor Roldon spoke with Kaieteur Sport at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG) where the boxers that had attended the games, joined with those that were initially a part of the squad, to resume training for what has been dubbed ‘The Road to the Brazil Olympiad.’

The Cuban coach said that the challenges began from the time the team boarded a plane at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri for the one hour journey to Piarco Airport, Trinidad and Tobago. He said that the team then travelled to Panama and then had to endure a 6 hours wait at that airport before resuming the journey for a 3 hours flight to Cuba. He said that the team arrived in the Spanish speaking country at around 12:57hrs, merely six hours prior to the scheduled weigh in ceremony.
Nevertheless, Señor Roldon commended the boxers’ discipline since they were spot on target and not required to shed excess poundage. He said that Dennis Thomas was the first to enter the ring and to his mind, the Guyanese pugilist was not fully recovered from the jet lag after the arduous trip. Notwithstanding, Thomas turned in a great performance and Roldon said that though the decision went against him, Thomas was heralded by the audience which initially was firmly in the Cuban’s corner.
Imran Khan fought Cuba’s national champion, Nolan Yera, who had won a silver medal in the 2010 AIBA World Amateur Boxing Championships in Baku Azerbaiyan and Roldon feels that though he lost fair and square he should be commended on his performance. Yera went on to clinch the bronze medal after he was defeated by his countryman, Cuba’s national champion, Vicente Paul by a 25-22 margin.
Señor Roldon said Eon Bancroft also turned in a good performance but was defeated by Maimatti Tusunqiong of China, a more experienced pugilist.
The Cuban coach is adamant that though the boxers lost their respective bouts, they benefitted immensely from participation. He said that Khan and Bancroft garnered additional experience when they engaged in sparring sessions with other top fighters in the championships; Khan engaged a Venezuelan, while Bancroft sparred with another Venezuelan and a Chilean. “I am pleased with their performances; they were very courageous,” said Señor Roldon.  He is adamant that local boxing administrators continue to seek similar exposure for the boxers otherwise the Cuban sojourn would be a wasted effort.
Meanwhile, Señor Roldon highlighted several future tournaments that he feels local boxers should attend. He said that the AIBA Games in Ecuador, the Pan American Championships scheduled for Chile in August, the World Senior Championships in Kazakistan in late October and the Bolivanianos Games scheduled for Peru in late November are all important engagements and Guyana should endeavor to send teams to them. “These are all important games and we should aspire to attend if the developmental process is to continue,” urged Señor Roldon.
Quizzed on the effectiveness of the local training programme, Señor Roldon said that much more ought to be done if Guyana is to have a realistic chance at winning the coveted Olympic Gold medal. He said that while the coaching team continues to nurture the young boxers, the training equipment at the ALBG left a lot to be desired.
The boxers are forced to leave the comfort inside of the building to utilize the punching bags, mounted under a shed on the southern side of the gym. The Cuban coach said that this is not conducive to their development and pointed out several inconsistencies including the concrete flooring. Further, the exercise implements—abdominal machines, weights machine and the exer-cycle, are dysfunctional and should have been replaced ages ago. He said that the concrete flooring, inside of the gym should have been constructed instead with wood for the boxers’ safety. “Unless we are prepared to invest real money and time in the preparation of the boxers, we should stop believing that we will win that coveted Olympic gold medal,” he maintains.

 

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