HEAD of Holland Entertainment Promotions (HEP) Carwyn Holland is relishing the opportunity of promoting the next fight for Guyana’s Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight champion Shaundell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred. After seeing Alfred defeat her nemesis Corinne Van Ryck De Groot by a convincing technical knockout in her rematch at the Princess Hotel earlier this month, president of the WIBA Ryan Wissow had predicted a busy year for the Guyanese.
Wissow went as far as identifying two possible candidates, namely Ava Knights or Terri Cruz for the ‘Mystery Lady’, pointing out either Holland or head of Bris ‘O’ Promotions Seon Bristol as the possible promoters who will get same off the ground.
When contacted for a comment, Holland told Chronicle Sport he has undertaken the responsibilities of promoting the fight and even identified the month he would like to see it take place.
“First of all, let me say congrats to Shaundell on her successful defence of the title. She deserves any and all accolades that will be showered on her for achieving such, especially since many thought she would not have achieved the win in the first fight.
“Having said that, and hearing the words of the WIBA president, I readily accepted the offer to promote her next fight right here in Guyana, with the month already at the back of my head from the time I heard the words,” stated Holland
Holland, who was named the 2004 World Promoter-of-the-Year following his successful promotion of Guyana’s first female champion Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil’s first title fight, has his eyes on the month of September.
“I chose September, as it will be the anniversary month of Shaundell’s title win and what better ways to celebrate same, but by having her defend her title against Cruz or Knights, but either way, she will be in the ring.
Talks are presently ongoing with the management of both Cruz and Knights while Alfred’s camp is fully aware of my intentions, so certainly Guyanese can expect another scorcher from Holland Entertainment Promotions.”
He continued, “Judging from the feedback I received after ‘Caribbean Fury’, the card on which Alfred first defeated De Groot, I was looking at a way to quell the appetites of boxing fans who were asking for another card with such firepower, hence I must say thanks to the president of the WIBA for presenting me with this opportunity.
“That shows the level of confidence they have placed in me as a young promoter on the boxing scene and it is my duty to go out there and prove myself not only to them, but many other naysayers in the fistic sport.”
He was quick to point out that a few major issues have to be ironed out with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) before he goes ahead with the card, but beyond a shadow of a doubt, the card will take place, with an added sparkle.
“The road ahead is not smooth. There will always be a few road humps you have to cross if you intend to make it to the top. Having said that, there are a few issues that need to be ironed out with the GBBC before the hosting of the card, whose name I have to identify.
However, it will take place and as I have indicated earlier, in the month of September, and to make it more special, boxing fans will get an opportunity to see the return of our very own Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore in action on that card.
Judging from the reaction given to ‘Caribbean Fury’, and with his fine reputation as a promoter at stake, boxing fans can certainly expect a card that will rival both ‘Caribbean Fury’ and Bristol’s recently staged ‘Deadly Encounters’ in September from Holland.