BARBADOS’ Shawn ‘The Sniper’ Cox, the World Boxing Council (WBC)/CABOFE heavyweight champion has never lost a matchup in Guyana or to any Guyanese so far in his exciting career while Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite has never fought in front  of his  home  crowd since landing the WBC cruiserweight title a decade ago.
Certainly, boxing fans can expect fireworks at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on February 25, when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) organise their WBC Cup Caribbean Championships, which will have an unprecedented five WBC/CABOFE titles up for grabs.
Three of the pugilists who will be in action – national middleweight champion Edmond De Clou, flyweight champion Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques and Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers – met in the boardroom of GBBC/CABOFE president Peter Abdool yesterday to sign their respective contracts.
Just last December, Cox made a successful defence of his title when he knocked out local heavyweight champion Kurt Bess in the first round, and despite Braithwaite’s experience which saw him land a world title, according to Abdool, Cox promised to execute the same punishment to Braithwaite.
Even Trinidad and Tobago’s Kevin Placide exuded confidence ahead of his matchup with De Clou, warning his opponent not to focus on the WBC championship, since he will not go past the fourth round, a statement which drew a grunt from De Clou.
Marques and Rogers will do battle for the flyweight title, national bantamweight champion and USA-based Guyanese Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry will defend his CABOFE title in that weight category against Barbados’ Selwyn Lett.
The fifth and final title fight will pit Barbados-based Guyanese Revlon Lake who recorded a stunning 11th round knockout win over Mark Austin, against his adopted country’s Miguel Antoine for the super lightweight title.
Abdool said both the GBBC would be looking into the interest of the champions leading up to the WBC Cup, which will see the winner of each weight division earning a purse of US$250 000, by keeping them active in the ring on the monthly ProAm cards.
“The next Friday Night Fights card, would see the respective champions in action as the GBBC intends to take a special interest in their programmes, leading up to the WBC Cup Championships, since they will not only be representing their respective countries, but the Caribbean as well.
“CABOFE will also be looking into their interest, with regard to their training regimes and health consciousness, as we intend to go out there and do our best, ensuring this side of the boxing world comes out on top as well.”
Abdool said recently crowned WBC/CABOFE welterweight champion Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy, may probably head to the USA to commence training for the championships, for which the WBC has identified five major cities as the hosts.
Meanwhile, boxing fans and enthusiasts take note that no GBBC-issued FNF passes will be accepted for this card. Also there will be no live televised broadcast by NCN. Admission fee for fight night is $3 000 for ringside and $1 500 for the stands.