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Commendable fights but 50th Independence Anniversary boxing card reduced to exhibition affair
It was supposed to be a card to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary and naturally fans would have expected impeccable quality. This was not to be and the card organized by Bris ‘O’ Promotions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall ((CASH) last Saturday evening was subjected to several administrative faux pas that forced the executives of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) to declare all the bouts to be exhibition affairs.
GBA President Steven Ninvalle (right) with local Boxing legends (from right) Braithwaite, Parris, Blackmore, Seon Bristol & Kenny Bristol. (Sean Devers photo)
That apart, the respective bouts were very qualitative and maybe, for the first time in the history of exhibition encounters, several boxers suffered after the referee was forced to step in on several occasions and halt bouts. The hilarity of the situation zoomed to laughable proportion when the announcer then declared that both boxers are winners in their own right.
The card was graced by four of Guyana’s top boxers, former British Commonwealth champions Lennox Blackmore and Kenny Bristol, (Amateur) Commonwealth champion, Winfield Braithwaite and 1980 Moscow Olympics bronze medalist, Michael Parris. These pugilists were singled out for special commendation as the GBA aspires to acknowledge the input of past (boxing) stalwarts.
Otherwise, the smattering of fans witnessed several bouts that were action packed despite the poor crowd attendance coupled with the abrupt changes of the bouts to exhibition affairs. There were 5 bouts in the schoolboys’ category and Seon Graham (FYF) sparred with his gym mate, Dwayne Kellman. Jakeel Codogan (HE) traded punches with Travis Invervary (FYF) while Deron Williams (EBG) matched gloves with his gym mate, Malrick Walcott. Tyresse Persaud (HE) and Kevin Mullings (HE) turned in a crowd pleasing performance.
In the junior’s category, Joshua Ross (CBG) sparred with Omar Pollard (PRBG) just before Shaquille Wright (EBG) entertained the gathering against Keevin Allicock (HEBG). Herman Wright and Isaiah Moore were also in action with three entertaining rounds. There was just one female bout and Rondessa Bagot (PRBG) squared off with her gym mate, Akea Lamazon.
In the youth category Quincy Boyce (GDF) opposed Joshua Corbin (Carryl), Kellon Isaacs (PRBG) squared off with Michael Edwards (FYF), Donovan Richardson (HEBG) faced off with Duel Augustine (PRBG), Mohammad Bacchus (PRBG) sparred with Ajay Gagashar (YA), while the elite boxers consisted of Nankumar Singh (REP) against Joel Williamson (RHJ) and Diwani Lampkin (GPF) against Clifton Graham (REP).
Director of sport, Christopher Jones and administrative officer, Gervy Harry, had offered support for the event.
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