Continental of Americas champion, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry aims for world title this year

Jan 12, 2015 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin  
He has been toiling for quite some time, quite confident that his boxing skills would propel him into the world ratings one day. In the meantime, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry continued to apply himself diligently and has won the local as well as the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Bantamweight titles in the locally held Guyana Fight Night boxing card.

Dharry has affirmed his status as world class material when he scored a convincing points decision over Nicaraguan, Jose Rios at the L B Scott Sports Auditorium Philipsburg Sint Maarten, last December. The win has earned him the Continental of Americas Bantamweight title and has improved his record to a commendable 17-5-1 with 11 knockouts. When Kaieteur Sport caught up with him yesterday afternoon at his Brooklyn residence he was in an ecstatic mood after learning that his latest win has assured him a number 9 ranking in the International Boxing Association (IBF) for Randy Caballero’s title.  He is currently awaiting the official release before chucking his chest.
The new champion said that his career is now on a positive footing and he is mentally and physically ready to take on the world. His last lost was to Isander Beauchamp in Massachusetts USA and since then Dharry has rattled off 14 wins to perch nicely for the IBF ranking.
Dharry said that since returning from Sint Maarten he has resumed training at the Gleasons Gym, Front Street, Brooklyn where he continues to hone his skills under the expert tutelage of trainers, Nicaraguan, Martin Gonzalez and American, Don Saxby.  “I am in the gym from about 11:00hrs daily but sometimes my sparring partners are not available until around 15:00hrs so I have to adjust my training schedule,” said Dharry when asked of his training methods.  He also said that boxing is his main focus and he is now able to concentrate on his development devoid of other distractions.
It hasn’t always been easy in the fight game for Dharry who had had several early losses. Born in Leguan, Guyana, he moved to America in 1999 and now resides in Brooklyn. He boxed in the U.S. Nationals and represented Guyana in the 2004 Olympic box offs.
Dharry started his professional career with two wins, against Mark Fernandes, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and Sandy Childers, in the USA, but faltered somewhat in his next six fights, losing all but one. He has since picked up the pieces and last Saturday night’s victory has made it thirteen in a row.
While Dharry said that he is rearing to enter into his next bout, he is now weighing the pros and cons in regards to several offers before him. “I received a call from (officials) of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) for a bout in Guyana February month end but I am also contemplating another offer against an American opponent here in New York around that same time,” said Dharry. He said that he will soon huddle with his management team to decide which of the bouts is the more feasible.
“Regardless of what choice we make, my ultimate objective is to become a world champion this year,” pronounced Dharry.  He said that he is willing to ‘fight anyone in the world to achieve my goal.”
Touching briefly on the Jose Rios bout Dharry said that he was intensely focused and never entertained a loss. Quizzed on acclimatization issues, he said that his experience fighting at short notice in different territories stood him in good stead and he was able to glide into different atmospheric conditions with relative ease. “I’ve battled in Mexico and other parts of the USA at short notice and have adjusted nicely so I am never bothered by climatic changes,” Dharry confidently pronounced.
He said that he is so confident of winning the world title that even if he receives the offer within his next two fights he will be successful.  ”Notwithstanding, I hope I could get the opportunity to fight in Guyana soon because I have a fan base there and would relish the idea of showing off my wares before the Guyanese fans soon” said Dharry.
Meanwhile, Dharry said that he is abreast of boxing activities in his homeland and has learnt that Andrew Lewis is contemplating a return to the ring, against Jamaican, Sakima Mullings. Dharry wished his countryman the best of luck. He said that Lewis is a skilful, experienced and cunning fighter but offered a caveat, “be careful! Mullings is a fresh young fighter with lots of ambition and hunger; you will have to be well prepared.”
Commenting on his future ambitions Dharry quipped, “I am not prepared to quit; this is my year.” The promising champion also said that his efforts are supported by several corporate entities and he is grateful to Hibiscus, Pearl Vodka, Tic Tavern and Tropical Fantasy, all businesses in the USA that have rendered valuable support.

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