Strategic applications must be employed towards boxers’ advancement

Sep 05, 2015 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

During the late seventies/early eighties, boxing had earned its place as one of the top achieving disciplines locally and boxing pundits of that era will also entertain nostalgic memories of the feats of the late John ‘The Beast’ Brummell, Winston ‘Service’ Richards, Darius Forde, Winfield Braithwaite and a host of others too numerous to document in this article.
Those were great days and our boxers were most feared around the Caribbean and Latin America. In August 1978, Winfield Braithwaite clinched a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Edmonton Canada and merely two years later, Michael Anthony Parris came through with a bronze medal at the Moscow Olympics Games, a feat that still stands as no other Guyanese sportsperson have managed to emulate, much less eclipse it.
Maybe the fact that Guyana enjoyed fruitful sports relations with Cuba through frequent exchange programmes might have been the reason for such successes. During those days, Guyanese boxers held their own against the best in the Caribbean, Latin America and even further afield.
In 1985, a 4 main boxing team travelled to Barbados to participate in the inaugural Carifta boxing Championships and returned with two gold medals (Michael Benjamin and Earl Green), one silver medal through Terrence Munroe and a bronze from Garfield Sam.
Guyana’s place as a strong boxing nation was secured right up to the mid-eighties when there was an influx into the professional arena with stalwarts the likes of Parris, Darius Forde and most of the top amateur pugilists opting to enter the professional arena.
Fast forward to 2015 and Parris’ achievement still stands as the beacon of local sports excellence.
Inexplicably, while sports officials yearn for that elusive Olympic gold medal, there has been no genuine or tangible effort to preserve the importance of this achievement.
As such, it was indeed refreshing to see the officials of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) acknowledge this son of the soil by dedicating a boxing tournament in his honour.
The one day affair took place about a week ago at the Andrew ‘Sixheads’ Lewis Boxing Gym, a facility erected in honour of another boxing great whose feats are well documented. The tournament was funded by Demerara Distillers Ltd, christened in honour of Michael Parris and catered specifically for young boxers, 16 years and under but more importantly, who are basically greenhorns, making their entry into the fistic sport.
There were approximately 12 bouts and Parris sat throughout witnessing and assessing the youngsters on show.
Naturally, based on years of experience in the ring, firstly in the amateur ranks and subsequently a professional boxer, the Olympics bronze medalist qualifies as just the right person to identify those youngsters with potential for the future.
One is, therefore, tempted to question whether there was a post fight evaluation and whether Parris’ views were sought during those evaluations.
Such strategies would have given credence to GBA administrators’ objectives for the young boxers’ future development.
Several boxers represented the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and maybe those administrators consider their participation integral to their rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, these boxers prepare for combat at their Onderneeming location, devoid of a competent coach and requisite gears. Their tutor, Lawrence Kellman, while committed to the task, is not a qualified boxing coach. Yes, he may be able to whip the youngsters into decent shape but is way below par in relation to the dispensation of hard core boxing techniques.
Therefore, though possessing the will, the NOC pugilists lacked the fundamentals. Had the GBA administrators engaged in a post evaluation review they would have recognized that there is a need for technical assistance in Essequibo and start making the requisite efforts to better the fortunes of those boxers.
Administrators of the NOC have molded many youngsters sent there by the court of law for rehabilitation after the late Warrant Officer (GNS), Winston Roberts, had tutored them in the intricacies of boxing which was the catalyst to their rehabilitation. Roberts’ methods might have been somewhat unorthodox but he got the job done and I can rattle off a host of names that left that institution with a new lease on life, never to return to their nefarious ways.
Similarly, the GBA executive has a wonderful opportunity to assist these youngsters in the rehabilitative process through boxing and the partnership with the DDL may be just the right avenue. However, there must be a strategic approach and the will to precipitate those changes must be evident.
These boxers are greenhorns and obviously lack the finesse of their more experienced counterparts which is understandable at this stage of their careers. However, the trained eye would have noted potential among those unorthodox applications.
Shaquancy Wright, a pint sized boxer of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) and boxing in the 64-69lbs division is one such boxer that may be worth the investment. He fought twice and defeated Leslie Marques of the Harpy Eagles before replicating the feat against his gym mate, Deron Williams.
Wright has been a feature in this tournament since it commenced some three years ago and his consistency is truly commendable. If the organizers are really serious about honing talent in the nursery for future representation then Wright is a perfect catch but his continued development must be structured.
Keevin Allicock (HE) was a standout and needed just 1:11secs to dispose of Troy Charles (NOC). The problem is that Allicock should have been debarred from this tournament in the first place as his standard is way above those of the other participants.
Charles is yet to learn the barest fundamentals and it would have been a miracle if he had lasted out the first round against a much more experienced opponent. The tournament was organized for the Simon Pures who would then make the transition to the tougher outings. Ninvalle should summon those responsible for this matchup and strongly reprimand them while urging more vigilance in the future.
In an obvious attempt to encourage their officials and other stakeholders GBA administrators doled out awards for notable performances. Orrin London received a large food hamper after he was adjudged the best coach.
Those that frequent the gyms will applaud this act since London’s commitment is unbelievable.
This award, I am sure, will do wonders for his upward mobility and naturally the boxers will benefit.
The physical fitness of referees has been called into question before; far too many of these officials are not as nimble as the profession requires. Maybe the GBA officials are beginning to take note and decided to dole out an award for the best official of the day.
Referee, Mark Drakes copped the prize while his colleague, Medford Wilson’s efforts were also noted and he received a similar award for being second best. Leslie Marques is merely 11 years old and he fights out of the 64-69lbs division. He was unable to get past Wright but his participation as the youngest boxer on show was noted and he received a special prize.
Before, administers just opted to give awards for the best gym and best boxer. They act of broadening their scope could serve as the fillip to create more enthusiasm among their officials and other stakeholders.
However, the key objective is to weigh the benefits to the principal stakeholders, the boxers. Did the tournament serve its function?
The sport has recently taken a beating and there is a compelling need for keen scrutiny and unbending applications as the situation might demand.
The end of the tournament must witness the beginning of strategic action otherwise the sponsor’s efforts will be rendered useless.

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