‘Superman’ St Clair expresses disappointment at failed negotiations
The champ is here! Guyana’s lone two-time world champion Gairy ‘Superman’ St Clair proudly displays his two belts during a visit to Chronicle Sport yesterday. (Photo by Sonell Nelson)
The champ is here! Guyana’s lone two-time world champion Gairy ‘Superman’ St Clair proudly displays his two belts during a visit to Chronicle Sport yesterday. (Photo by Sonell Nelson)

WHEN NAMES such as Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, ‘Vicious’ Vivian Harris and Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis are mentioned in the boxing fraternity, persons readily associate them with their world title triumphs during the heyday of their boxing careers.

However, not many boxing fans and enthusiasts can place Australia-based Guyanese, 39-year-old Gairy ‘Superman’ St Clair in that category and beyond, although he is the lone pugilist from the Land of Many Waters to have fought and won two world titles, namely the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organisation junior lightweight belts.
The soft-spoken St Clair, who is the father of six children and one grand child, first fought and defeated Nigel Boston 20 years ago, sparking a run of 14 successive victories as a professional boxer, following a successful amateur career, with his record now reading 46-12-2.
His first title was in the super featherweight category, when he defeated Vincent Howard in a 12-round contest, while his last battle in the square jungle occurred last year June when he waltzed away with an unanimous points decision win over Roberto Oyan in a 10-round contest, after defeating the same fighter one month earlier, over six rounds.
Recently, Chronicle Sport caught up with St Clair via the social media www.skype.com and learnt that he was preparing for a fight at home this month end against Brazil’s Roger Dos Anjos Souza, one that he was eager to contest, since it would have presented an opportunity for him to showcase the skills and techniques that landed him the two world titles.
“I have been fighting all around the world and even winning a world title in Johannesburg, South Africa, so I am really happy to come back home and fight. This is the perfect opportunity and my opponent is a good fighter who has fought some of the best the sport has to offer, so for me this will be the biggest thing after my two world title fights,” stated St Clair.
However, negotiations for the fight fell through for which St Clair, who made courtesy calls on Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Minister of Public Service Jennifer Webster, Deputy Commander of ‘B’ Division Marlon Chapman, Colin Ming of Mings Products and Services and Eddie Grant just to name a few, was disappointed.
“At this point and time, I am definitely disappointed at not getting the opportunity to fight here in Guyana, especially after having lengthy negotiations with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control.
“I came to Guyana, with the aim of showcasing my talent to the Guyanese boxing fraternity and many persons were eagerly looking forward to see me in action, especially as a 39-year-old fighter who not only won two world titles for Guyana, but looked sharp and crisp in the gym” said St Clair.
While he was not able to enter the square jungle against an opponent, St Clair used the time to visit gyms around Georgetown, passed on words of encouragement to young boxers and even equipment, while he spent lots of time with his family on a daily basis.
“While I am disappointed at not being able to fight, I did get the opportunity to spend time with my family and also showcase my two championship belts to the public, putting a smile on faces of individuals who never had an opportunity to see a world championship belt before.”
He was much more disappointed when he saw the list of Guyanese boxers who would have fought for a world title before and even after him, that was compiled by Eion Jardine and noticed that his name was not even mentioned.
“This is tragic. Not only have I fought for a world title, but I did so twice and was successful and my name is not listed here. Is this how a world champion is treated?” asked St Clair.
He added, “The Patrick Fords, Lennox Blackmores and all those guys would have paved the way for boxers like Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, Vivian Harris and myself for which we are grateful, but it was shocking to see their names being mentioned and not mine, a man who won for Guyana not one but two world titles.
Everywhere I go, I represent the Golden Arrowhead with pride and dignity and I am shocked to not even see my first name – even if the writer had forgotten how to spell my surname – mentioned in the article as a boxer from Guyana who fought for a world title, not once but twice.”
Quizzed on his next move, St Clair said he will be heading back to Australia next Tuesday, but has plans to promote a card in Guyana this Christmas, if everything goes well, even as he intends to take Clive ‘Wonder Kid’ Atwell to Australia to further develop and strengthen his career.

(By Calvin Roberts)

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