By Michael DaSilva

AFTER a decline in the number of boxing cards being staged locally, coupled with the quality of local fighters, the NextGen Global Marketing Services has pledged to resuscitate the sport by taking the game to a higher level.This much was revealed to Chronicle Sport by vice-president of the Business Development of the Marketing Organisation, Aleem Hussain.
According to Hussain, there is an abundance of talent in the boxing fraternity locally, but these individuals need to be harnessed and given the opportunity to develop their skills level to the point where Guyana and all Guyanese can boast of having a pool of world champions. collection
To this end, Hussain explained that his organisation is seeking to support the sport locally to give those potential world-rated and champion boxers an opportunity to realise their true heights.
According to Hussain, a born and bred resident of Hunter Street, Albouystown, who still resides there, NextGen Global has over the past nine months contracted 10 boxers with the potential of being world champions.
The ten boxers contracted by NextGen Global are Dexter Gonsalves, Imran Khan, Kieve Allicock, Rondell Singh, Anthony Narine, Mark Whyte, James Walcott, Ryan Ali, Romello Norville and Mitchell Rogers.
Hussain said his organisation’s immediate plan for the boxers includes getting them accustomed to performing on the big stage in front of large crowds, accustomed to the treatment usually meted out to fighters appearing on a top rank card such as a `Golden Boy’ (Oscar de la Hoya) promotion card or one supported by ESPN.
He said that Gonsalves, who already had a taste of the VIP treatment for his fight against Clive Atwell last October when he secured a 10th round TKO victory, has been afforded a similar treatment this time around.
Hussain said Gonsalves has been booked into the Marriott Hotel Georgetown and will be escorted to the Giftland Mall, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, by a contingent including Police ranks in an attempt to prevent him being “a cat in a strange pantry when he gets on the big stage.”
The cost, Hussain said, will be in the vicinity of $300 000 and will be paid by the NextGen Global Marketing official, to ensure his fighter has a travel-free journey to his destination for his WBC FECABOX lightweight title fight against United States-based Marcus `Chop Chop’ Corley when the two meet tonight in a 12-round brawl.