THERE is a proverb in Guyana, ‘Never curse the bridge that you cross’ and last Friday, newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC)/Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super middleweight champion Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen epitomised such a saying when he made a presentation to the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) boxing gym.
The donation, which is valued at US$1 500, included gloves and mouthguards – two very important pieces of equipment used in the fistic sport – was presented at the Albouystown-based gym.
“I grew up in this gym and saw lots of boxers become champions and never looked back at the gyms or even the young boxers in the gyms they themselves grew up in, and even though I have not reached the pinnacle of the sport, my aim is to start giving back as early as possible, hence my donation,” said Allen.
The 25-year-old Allen chalked up a unanimous points victory over national light heavyweight champion Kwesi ‘Lightning Struck’ Jones to take the CABOFE title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control held its first professional card for the year dubbed RAMPAGE.
According to ‘Too Sharp’ Allen, “I wanted to be remembered as a boxer from the FYF gym with a difference. This small donation is only the beginning of better things to come, as in later years, I am looking at refurbishing the gym, including improved lighting conditions so boxers can train late at night.
“I recalled the many days when I came to the gym and was one of the fortunate ones who were fully equipped, while some of my fellow gym mates were not so fortunate, but with what is being done today, persons out there who are desirous of becoming a boxer and don’t have the necessary equipment, can walk in off the streets and feel at home, since it is here for them to utilise.”
Allen urged the young pugilists of the gym to not only take great care of the gear, but also utilise them to the fullest as they aspire to become the next world champion from Guyana.
Former Fecarbox junior/lightweight champion Joseph Murray who, along with Siebert Blake takes the pugilists including Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques and Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy through their paces, thanked Allen for the timely contribution.