Iwan Azore/Dexter Gonsalves fight postponed

Sep 25, 2015 Sports

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Organizers mulling adequate substitute

By Michael Benjamin

Boxing fans would have already set aside their best garb in preparation for the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) card, scheduled for the Giftland Office Max Mall, Lilliendaal, ECD, tomorrow evening. They would have also cast their wagers on the main bout, a 12 rounds contest between Iwan Azore and Dexter Gonsalves for the former fighter’s welterweight belt.
Well, they will have to wait just a little longer following the distressing news that Azore has sustained an injury to his leg during training sessions and has been advised by the doctor to rest the limb for a few weeks.
President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool, broke the news to Kaieteur Sport late Wednesday evening, moments after he had spoken to Azore via telephone and was devastated by the turn of events.
Mr. Abdool said that he informed Azore that he should substantiate his claim with the relevant medical certificate and he has committed to do so as early as possible. Mr. Abdool has since arranged a press conference, due to be convened this afternoon, where he will discuss alternative arrangements.
The GBBC President said that he has heard speculations that suggested that Azore is experiencing the proverbial ‘cold feet’ and the ‘injury’ may be his way of opting out of the contest. He said that he is awaiting the document from the Trinidad medical specialist to confirm the authenticity of Azore’s injury.
Meanwhile, GBBC organizers are currently exploring contingency measures to have the card staged as soon as possible. “We are mulling on three boxers and have already made calls to their managers,” revealed Mr. Abdool.
Among those names being bandied around are Jamaica Contender welterweight champion, Sakima Mullings, Trinidadian, Prince lee Isidore and Guyanese world rated fighter, Clive Atwell. “Any one of those would fit the bill but we will have to engage in fresh negotiations to establish our best option,” stated Mr. Abdool.
Head of the People’s Syndicate Promotions, Keith Bazilio has been piloting Gonzalves’ career and he said that he was somewhat disappointed by the turn of events. He believes that Gonsalves is a top class boxer who can move on to fight for, and win a world title bout in the near future. Brazilio said that he is a mite concerned that most of the fighters seem to be avoiding Gonsalves and he (Gonsalves) may be forced to shift his focus and activities to the more developed countries where he will find adequate competition.
Asked for his selection of a favourable substitute, Bazilio said that his fighter is quite capable of taking on most of those in his weight class in the region. He said that Gonsalves would relish a bout with Atwell since a win could propel him to the top of the rankings locally and allow his management to stake a claim for a top spot in the ratings.
However, Bazilio stated that whoever accepts the fight must not exceed the Jnr./welterweight limit. Baziliio also said that if Atwell is unavailable he would gladly consider a showdown with Mullings or Prince Lee Isidore. Mr. Abdool also shares Bazilio’s view while saying that he is a mite concerned that many of Gonsalves’ opponents seem to be finding ways of avoiding him. Indeed, since dealing Revlon Lake a wicked left hook that left the Barbados based Guyanese prostrate, Gonsalves has been experiencing difficulties procuring fights. His only other bout since then, a 10 rounder against Mark Austin, ended in a points decision in his favour.
Austin had cried foul and subsequently clinched a return late last year. However, he seemed to have lost his nerve and fell ill just minutes before he was required to enter the ring and was rushed to the Public Hospital, Georgetown.
The fight was subsequently aborted and Gonsalves has not fought. Notwithstanding, he is regularly in the gym in anticipation of a fight. Mr. Abdool said that otherwise the card remains unchanged and he is advising those contracted boxers to continue training so as not to be caught unprepared.
The other professional fights will see Quincy Gomes matching gloves with Anson Greene in a 6 rounds welterweight affair, national amateur bantamweight champion, Imran Khan in his debut fight against David Thomas over 4 rounds in the lightweight category and Keeve Allicock battling with Stephon Gouveia in a featherweight fight over 4 rounds.
The amateur bouts will see Republican, Nankumar Singh up against Kellon King in a lightweight match while Harpy Eagles representative, Travis Hubbard tackles Orin Bancroft in another lightweight (youth) encounter. Glenroy Smith (EBG) will then match gloves with Republican, Clifton Graham in a welterweight bout while Tefon Green (GDF) and Dexter Wray (REP) will square off in an Elite Flyweight contest.

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