THE Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA) Terrence Alli National Open Championships will box-off tomorrow night at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, from 19:30hrs and will conclude on Sunday night at the same venue.

Defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will be hard-pressed to retain their title, as boxers from Guyana Police Force, Republican Boxing Gym, Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Harpy Eagles, Vergenoegen Boxing Gym, Rose Hall Jammers, Carryl Boxing Gym and Young Achievers will be seeking to earn championship titles in the various weight divisions in a quest to be selected to represent Guyana at the Caribbean championship which will be held here in Guyana at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall next month.

It is expected that GDF will field a large contingent of experienced fighters, who did both the Army and Guyana proud over the years, winning gold and silver medals locally and regionally.

This year Quiny Boyce, Clifton Clarke, Royden Grant, Asntion Niles and Ronaldo Niles are among others included in the soldiers’ contingent.

All of the above-named boxers won their respective weight divisions at the just concluded Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Championship and are now graduates for the National Open level.

Boyce was adjudged Best Boxer at the National Intermediate tourney, having won all three of his fights during the championship via the technical knockout (TKO) route.

With this in mind, the other gyms named above will have their work cut out to overcome the soldiers’ onslaught.

According to GBA president Steve Ninvalle, three nights of exciting and entertaining boxing is anticipated as well as the largest representation by gyms.

Ninvalle said while he is anticipating a large turnout of boxers and supporters, he is hoping that corporate Guyana will lend support, because without sponsorship, there might not be as grand a tournament as is planned.

Ninvalle also stressed the need for even more corporate support for the Caribbean Championship, as this venture is more costly than staging a national championship.

According to the AIBA Executive Committee member, this year’s Caribbean championship is expected to see teams from the English-, Dutch- and French-speaking countries and islands in Guyana come December 6.

According to the GBA head, teams are expected from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, St Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, The Bahamas, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Suriname, Dominica, Cayman Islands and US Virgin Islands.

This will be the second time in four years that Guyana will be hosting the Caribbean championships. Over 70 boxers and officials will arrive in Guyana, which according to Ninvalle, is good for sports tourism. (Michael DaSailva)