Latest update April 4th, 2025 12:14 AM
The time is now!
Keevin Allicock says he’s ready for professional boxing
By Rawle Toney
– Allicock ready for professional boxing
Kaieteur Sports – Keevin Allicock emerges as one of the Caribbean’s most electrifying young pugilists, proudly representing Guyana on the grandest stages, including the Olympics.
Locally, no adversary can withstand Allicock’s ferocity, while globally, he has tasted both triumph and tribulation within the squared circle.
Nevertheless, ever since his performance at the Tokyo Olympics, boxing pundits have clamoured for the 24-year-old to transition to the professional ranks.
Allicock is set to embark on his professional boxing journey on April 20th, showcasing his talents as an undercard for the Dexter Marques versus Elton Dharry World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Flyweight Gold Title showdown.
“Now is the right time to turn pro,” Allicock expressed to Kaieteur News, highlighting his readiness for the professional boxing circuit…“I don’t want to think that I’m young and I have a lot of years ahead of me, and just wait and play around. I’m young, I have the strength and now is the time to get into professional boxing and use that strength.”
Allicock’s maiden professional bout sees him pitted against Gardel Roberts. Despite Roberts’ modest record of just one victory in 11 matches, Allicock proclaimed he won’t underestimate his Barbadian adversary, aiming to assert his authority in the professional realm.
In response to queries regarding the pressure of a successful debut, Allicock confidently remarked, “The difference between me and many boxers from Guyana, is that this is a gift from god and I was born to fight. I’ve been doing this all my life and I’ve seen how different I am from a lot of fighters.”
“A couple years back, the way that I would train, my coach Sebert Blake would always tell me that I’m much more like a pro fighter, that I have a pro style, you have the energy to fight 12 rounds. even to Dexter Marques, most of his fights, I was giving him eight rounds as an amateur fighter, so I picked up that this is my world and this is where I belong,” Allicock said.
Allicock, who is currently working with experienced Cuban Coach Francisco Roldan, said he’s looking for to having Coach Blake in his corner, “Blake is always happy. I’m always excited to work with him because he knows me well.”
According to Allicock, fighting professionally is “going to be much more exciting because I’m going to be back and forth because I will still be participating in the different games that are up coming, so I’m going to be active.”
As he sets out on another quest for Olympic qualification, Allicock highlighted the significance of his April 20 bout in his journey towards the Paris Games.
Meanwhile, with news of Allicock’s transition to the professional ranks circulating, boxing enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating a showdown between the Youth Commonwealth Silver medallist and Stephan Da Silva.
Keevin Allicock
Da Silva is poised to return to the ring on April 20th against Barbados’ Ricardo Blackman Jr, marking his comeback following his 2022 victory over Fiji’s William Mel in Sydney, Australia, where he secured the esteemed World Boxing League (WBL) Junior Lightweight Title.
When questioned by Kaieteur News about the potential matchup with Da Silva, Allicock minced no words. “Don’t get it twisted. You can’t have a good match-up if a guy can’t last three rounds….I’m not here to play. There are so much people that wanted me to turn pro, so I’m not here to play.”
Confidently, Allicock dismissed Da Silva’s endurance, stating, “He won’t last. That’s what you want to see; a guy getting knocked out? Because that’s what’s going to happen.”
I’m willing to fight anyone because this is what boxing is about; its about entertaining. The crowd is what builds you and at times that crowd could break you, so like I said, I’m here to fight…bring anyone you have, throw them in the ring and I’ll crush both of them,” Allicock boldly decreed.
It’s undeniable: Allicock epitomises the future of professional boxing in Guyana—a role he graciously accepts.
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