Alfred ready to take on Julio
GUYANA’s ‘Mystery Lady’ Shaundell Alfred rose to prominence on the first edition of the Caribbean Fury last year with a unanimous decision victory over Canada’s Corrine Van Ryck De Groot, which landed her the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Bantamweight title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Not happy with the result, De Groot asked for and was granted a rematch which took place at the Princess Hotel in June of this year where there was no need for the judges’ decision, as Alfred recorded a fourth round technical knockout of De Groot, allaying claims that her first victory was a fluke.
Now as she prepares to match gloves with Colombia’s Olga ‘La Mona’ Julio over six rounds on 6th November at the Princess Hotel, the 29 year old mother of one said she is focus and ready to take on her Colombian opponent despite knowing little of her.
“I said it before and I have no bones in repeating it again. When you are a world champion, you get call to face all sorts of individuals, so fighting her would just be another experience for me and I am ready to take her on.”
The Campbellville Housing Scheme resident was not hesitant in saying she knows little of her opponent, but did promise it would not be a deterrent to her march for victory.
“The little I know of her is that she has a 17 fights record with eight victories and the same amount of losses. She was also engaged in some heated battles before, but I am prepared for whatever comes my way when I face her.
I took the fight because I needed it. I told my coach what my intentions and he is behind me 100%. I am in pretty good shape to cover a full six rounds if the need be and as the boxing public knows fully well, I always come out to fight and fans can expect the same from me when I face Julio next month.”
The ‘Mystery Lady’ whose ring record reads 12-5 with four knockouts, including her stunning fourth round TKO of De Groot, said she is yet to face an opponent who can provide her with a stiff challenge, stating she expected one from De Groot.
“When I faced Corrine the first time, I said to myself that this can be one of the biggest challenges in my boxing career. But for me it was an easy Sunday afternoon stroll in the Botanical Gardens with my son, while some of her fans and even Corrine herself felt she was robbed even when the referee counted the knockdown that she claimed was a slip so I was more than happy when she invoked her rematch clause.
Taking nothing away from her and with all the respects she deserves, she is a good fighter, but at the same time I had a point to prove not only to Corrine and her fans, but myself as I wanted to show the public that my victory was no fluke as some were saying.”
She continued, “I went back to the gym and trained harder despite the many distractions that were taking place, as my aim was to leave no stone unturned in my quest not only for victory, but retaining my title.
Added to that, I looked at some of our world champions who won their title and lost it in their first defense and I did not wish to be placed in that group which meant I had to give of more than my best which I did, that makes me the champion I am today.”
When asked to comment on the monthly Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)/Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) ProAm Fights, Alfred offered congratulations to the two governing body of the fistic sport in Guyana, calling the move a vital one.
“Certainly, they have been doing a fantastic job in resuscitating the sport of boxing through these cards. Not only have they been entertaining the boxing public with the bouts, but they have the boxers working overtime in the gym as they have no idea when they would be called to appear on one of the cards.
I would like to see it continue for as long as possible, as it is keeping boxing at both the amateur and professional level alive and while I cannot say if I will appear on one of the cards in the future, as it is only four rounds, who can tell if I am given an opponent in preparation for a world title fight in the future, but I would be wrong if I don’t congratulate both the GBBC and the GABA for this fantastic idea.”
Apart from the Alfred/Julio matchup, Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore will headline the card which is being promoted by Carwyn Holland, when he faces Venezuela’s Breilor Teran in a 10 round bout, while Kwesi ‘Lightening Hitman’ Jones will take on USA based Rawle Frank and national heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers matching gloves with Theophilus ‘Blue’ King.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Joel Mc Rae will face James Walcott, Mark Murray will battle with Canada’s Richard Reittie and Dominica based Clive Atwell who was recently involved in a hectic battle with the upcoming Mark Austin, facing Errol Trotman.