BOXERS, appearing on the S&S Promotions/Holland Entertainment `Caribbean Fury’ boxing card, are all ready to rumble at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tomorrow night.

Guyana’s Shondell `Mystery Lady’ Alfred is down to do battle with Canadian `American Gladiator’, TV star Corinne deGroot for the WIBA (Women’s International Boxing Association) bantamweight world title in the main bout while the main supporting bout brings together Guyana’s world-rater Leon `Hurry Up’ Moore and Colombia’s six-time world champion Mauricio Pastrano in a bantamweight clash.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony (centre) strike a pose with Shondell Alfred (left) and Corinne deGroot after yesterday’s press conference.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the National Communications Network (NCN) studio, Guyana’s WIBA Iberian-American Bantamweight champion Shondell Alfred reminded those present and warned deGroot that she is a `Mystery Lady’ of few words and she prefers to do her talking in the ring tomorrow night.

In response, deGroot who has Guyanese roots said she is the `American Gladiator’ and she too is a woman of few words and come tomorrow night, she and Alfred would do their talking in the ring.

Alfred informed that when promoter Carwyn Holland offered her the fight, she did not hesitate to take it since she long wanted to fight for a recognised world title.

She said after signing the contract she learnt about her opponent being an `American Gladiator’ that appears on the television and that she (deGroot) is undefeated.

The `Mystery Lady’ however cautioned deGroot saying “you’re the American Gladiator but I’m the Guyanese boxer and come the 26th (tomorrow), you’ll see the `Mystery Lady’ in action.”

deGroot in response said, “I’m the undefeated American Gladiator and my heart and everything within me is for winning on the 26th, like Shondell, I’m not a woman of many words, so come Saturday night, we’ll do the talking.”

She informed that most of the things she has done in life, most of the sports she has been involved in are male-dominated.

Asked if she thinks deGroot has an advantage over her, Alfred promptly said she does not think so “we’re both fighters and we represent what we do.”

Leon Moore (right) squares up with Colombian Mauricio Pastrano while looking on from left are Pastrano’s trainer Nelson Lopez, Stanford Solomon and Carwyn Holland (Photos by Sonell Nelson)

For the main supporting bout, Pastrano, speaking through an interpreter, said tomorrow night’s fight will be the ultimate test for Moore.

The Colombian said he has been training very hard for the fight and is not worrying too much about Moore since his experience will carry him through.

He noted that Moore is taller and younger than he, but stated “we know how to deal with that. Come Saturday night, it will be a new champion and it will be me.”

Moore, in response, welcomed the Colombian and his entourage to Guyana but stated “you will enjoy Guyana until the 26th (tomorrow night)” adding “when the going gets tough the tough gets going.

Pastrano was quick to reply “that’s how everyone talks, but when I hit him with my right hand he’s going to forget everything he said.”

However, Moore was quick to reply “You will be throwing your right hand in the air, because there will be no Leon Moore there for it to land on.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony who was present at the press conference welcomed the foreign fighters, saying all Guyana is pleased to have them here.

He congratulated the promoters – Stanford Solomon of S&S Promotions and Carwyn Holland off HE Promotions – for putting together such an attractive card.

He said they have created a world class event and reminded that sports tourism is a niche on the international market.

He said tomorrow night’s card should serve as an impetus for sports tourism and hopes that there will be more international sporting events in Guyana in the near future.