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Clean up campaign and pictorial boxing archives mooted as boxing community join forces
It seems like the nationwide clean-up campaign, which got underway shortly after the installation of
Steve Ninvalle
President David Granger to the Presidential seat has ballooned to immense proportions and residents of the various communities are demonstrating renewed invigoration to the task.
The bug has now bitten the boxing community and several pugilists are scheduled to join forces in a rigid clean-up campaign that targets the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG) and its immediate surroundings.
Former top amateur boxer, Johnny Griffin, is one of the key figures behind this venture which will also feature head of People’s Syndicate Promotions, Keith Bazilio, popular boxing coach, George ‘Canchie’ Oprecht and former professional boxer, Marcelle Daniels. They were scheduled to convene at the ALBG sometime yesterday morning to work out the ramifications while examining the cost of the project.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport Friday afternoon at his South Ruimveldt residence, Bazilio said that while the idea was generated from the recent clean-up frenzy, he thinks that the gesture will truly underline the magnitude of the contribution of Lewis to the boxing fraternity and by extension, Guyana.
The ALBG has been dubbed the home of amateur boxing and is now under the purview of the Guyana Boxing Association. It is at this location that boxers preparing for overseas engagements are housed during encampment and Bazilio feels that there could not have been a more suitable venue for the exercise.
However, he noted that the building has been neglected over the years and there is a need for rehabilitative
Keith Bazilio
works to restore the dignity to the gym for which it was constructed. The group will also ventilate possible ways of restoring the ‘Albouystown Pride,’ possibly with a face lift.
Meanwhile, former local lightweight, welterweight and Continental of Americas welterweight boxing champion, Michael Benjamin, will add some vigor to the process when he launches a pictorial archive of past and present boxers that have contributed to the rich legacy of the sport. Already, several of these portraits have been completed following support from several corporate entities. This initiative commenced around July last year but was temporarily placed on hold while the organizers awaited the response for corporate assistance.
Several of those entities have since approved and have donated handsomely to the project. Those are Abdools and Abdool Insurance, Kaieteur Sport Department, Dr. Max Hanoman, Ramchand Auto Spares, Lawrence Atherly Accountants, Mike’s Pharmacy, Bryden and Fernandes, John Fernandes Ltd, Modern Optical, Oasis Water, Raphael Real Estate and Eddy Grant Ringbang.
Mr. Benjamin explained that the initiative had its genesis from a discussion among several boxing enthusiasts and was birthed after the benefits of such an initiative were highlighted. Coupled with the portraits will be a log book that will depict the records of the various fighters which can be used for research purposes.
Michael Benjamin
President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, was also instrumental in the establishment of this initiative and is very anxious to have it brought to fruition. He feels that the venture will further strengthen the efforts of his executive to promote the interest of the sport through the retention of key historical data.
“The first phase will be predominated with contemporary fighters but as time goes by the olden warriors will also be included,” Benjamin explained. To this end, Benjamin has recently spoken to some of the old stalwarts the likes of Michael Reid, Kenny Bristol and Brian Muller, all overseas residents, and placed them on guard. There will also be a special section that highlights the feats of Andrew Murray, Patrick Forde, Donald Allison (all deceased) and other boxers that have contributed to the rich legacy of boxing. Plans are also in train to feature the works of past and present administrators of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control as well as boxing trainers and managers. “This is a huge undertaking and will only be accomplished over time,” said Benjamin. He further explained that the idea is to transform the ALBG into a true home of boxing where modern day pugilists can find recreation even as they acquaint themselves with the intricacies of local boxing history. Discussions towards these initiatives were expected to be intensified at the meeting yesterday.
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