Giftland Showdown-Next Generation Boxing…Threats and harsh words characterize signing ceremony as boxers lash out

Sep 09, 2015 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
They are regarded as the young brigade on whose shoulders the future of the sport lies but the team of professional boxers preparing for the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) card, scheduled for Saturday September 25, seems to have been tutored in the psychological techniques needed to drive fear into their respective opponents.

The pugilists seemed to have learned the lesson well and most of them employed those strategies when the fighters convened at the recently commissioned Giftland Office Max, Lilliendaal, ECD to conform to the signing rituals on a card dubbed ‘Giftland Showdown-Next Generation Boxing. Several officials of the GBBC supervised the ceremony including President, Peter Abdool, Marketing Manager, Michael Fung, Howard Cox, referee, Eon Jardine and Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Terrence Poole whose presence is to facilitate several amateur bouts on the programme.
It was shortly after the introductory remarks were delivered and the boxers were introduced that the most unlikely of them, former national amateur bantamweight champion, Imran Khan, erupted. He is making his debut in a 4 rounds lightweight encounter against David Thomas. The latter pugilist has already chalked up 4 fights in the professional arena and is the more experienced but this reality seemed to have little effect on Khan who brazenly strode over and unleashed a scathing verbal attack on his man. “This is no time for play,” he pronounced while thrusting his face close to his opponent’s.  The lanky Khan  then waved his folded fists tantalizingly close to his opponent’s chin while warning him to come prepared for ‘a good licking’ on fight night.
Thomas was a mite taken aback by the aggression but quickly reasserted himself to return his opponent’s barbs. “I’m ready for whatever you have to offer and promise to teach you a thing or two in boxing,” he pronounced.
Terrence Adams and Keeve Allicock will match gloves in a 4 rounds featherweight scrap and they too had much to say to each other. Allicock was the aggressor and launched a verbal attack on his man but Adams refused to be browbeaten. He returned the aggression while saying that he could hardly wait for the first bell to display his wares. The two almost came to blows as they stood in close proximity of each other and belted out barbs and insults.
There was also talk of visits to the hospital and one of the boxers wanted to know if the organizers had made the requisite arrangements to have adequate medical personnel at the venue. They were informed that all systems are in place for any eventuality.

Quincy Gomes commenced his professional career on a good note but suffered back to back losses to Frenchman, Arnold Martinez, when they clashed in Cayenne French Guiana earlier this year and then to Jamaican Contender Champion, Sakima Mullings, just last month. He is on the redemption trail against Anson Green who has a 5-3-2 record and whose main claim to fame is a scintillating knockout victory over super/middleweight champion, Derek Richmond. Green then lost out to Gladwyn Dorway but rebounded to defeat David Thomas. Greene packs a mean punch and Gomes would be best advised to come prepared for a tough encounter. At yesterday’s ceremony he spoke confidently of a victory saying that the two losses are things of the past. Dorway merely shrugged his shoulders and promised his opponent that he (Dorway) is ready to throw down the gauntlet.
Dexter Gonsalves will fight Iwan Azore for the latter fighter’s welterweight belt and Gonsalves is rounding off training at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) Boxing Gym while Azore is training in the Twin Island Republic and was not at the function yesterday. Gonsalves is a gentleman and decided to hold his tongue in Azore’s absence. He merely stated that he has his eyes on the prize and intends to win the fight.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abdool admitted that it has been some time since the last card and voiced optimism that fans will come out in their numbers to witness what is shaping up to be a slugfest. He pointed out that this is not one of the Guyana Fight Night cards but a collaborative effort with Giftland office max to promote the sport. The GBBC President lauded the efforts of the many sponsors that have contributed to the efforts of boxing administrators and urged the continuance of such chivalry.
One of those sponsors, Managing Director of Giftland Office Max, Roy Beepat, was at the function and reminded that his organization has been in the forefront in the development of the sport. He committed to the future support even as he promised to partner with GBBC administrators.

The card will also feature several amateur bouts and Mr. Poole said that GBA administrators are putting the modalities in place to ensure that the best pugilists are on show. He hinted that Republican boxer, Nankumar Singh, will comprise one of the bouts against an opponent to be named later. His executives are also examining their resources to select the best to be on the card and should release those names shortly.
The price structure has been set to meet the pockets of the small man and ringside seats have been allocated to those from the corporate community while fans will pay one thousand dollars for general admission. Children pay half price.

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