Latest update November 13th, 2024 1:00 AM
Solemn atmosphere as boxing technician, Maurice ‘Bizzy’ Boyce interred
There were no tears but the atmosphere 
was charged with sorrow and grief when boxing affiliates joined with other friends and family of boxing technician Maurice ‘Bizzy’ Boyce to bid a final farewell to the fallen coach yesterday afternoon.
The body was presented for viewing at the Sandy’s Funeral Parlour, Durban and Chappel Streets Lodge before it was taken to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where the church ceremony and tributes were performed.
The solemn ceremony was graced by Her Worship, Mayor Patricia Greene, Presidents of the Guyana Boxing Association and Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Steve Ninvalle and Peter Abdool respectively, veteran (boxing) promoter Odinga Lumumba and GBBC executive members Trevor Arno and Andrew Thorne among others. Several of Boyce’s (boxing) protégés, including former Fecarbox champion, Joseph Murray and former Continental of Americas champion, Michael Benjamin, were also among the mourners.
The ceremony was also graced by former Commonwealth Champion, Kenny Bristol who also benefitted from Boyce’s expertise during his coaching tenure. Odinga, who has had a productive relationship with Boyce, who tutored some of his (Odinga’s) charges, labeled the fallen coach as a legend. The veteran promoter further praised Boyce’s boxing acumen and posited that his boxing exploits ought to have been recognized with a national award.
“If any human being deserves such an accolade it is Boyce,” Lumumba pronounced.
Mayor Greene recounted her long relationship with Boyce even as she reminisced of the fond memories imprinted on her mind of his training exploits. “He is a long-time friend and his work in the boxing field was truly phenomenal,” said Mayor Greene. Mr. Thorne traced Boyce’s historical boxing exploits and said that one of the highlights of his coaching tenure occurred when he piloted Kenny Bristol to the Commonwealth title.
Mr. Ninvalle spoke glowingly of Boyce’s contribution to the fistic sport and labeled him as the ‘Godfather of the sport.”
Mr. Benjamin recounted his most momentous occasion under Boyce’s tutelage when he defended his Continental of Americas title in Nassau Bahamas. Benjamin said that he was faced with many challenges, the worst being an overweight issue. He said that Boyce dedicated himself to the task and worked assiduously with him to shed the weight. “In the end it proved to be a Herculean task but what stood out was the support rendered by Boyce during those trying times,” said Benjamin.
Shortly after the culmination of tributes, Pastor Harris delivered a stirring ceremony while one of Boyce’s cousin, Keith Zepher, delivered the eulogy. Family members also paid tribute by reading the scriptures.
Boyce was an integral force in the boxing fraternity and has contributed greatly in the lives of almost all of the pugilists to have donned gloves for this country.
He passed away at the Georgetown Public Hospital last week, one day after he was admitted with medical complications.
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