WHENEVER the topic of local amateur boxing is discussed, names such as Guyana’s lone Olympic medallist Michael Parris, Dillon Carew, brothers Seon and Kenny Bristol, Brian Muller and to an extent Terrence Alli, among others, will feature prominently. Earlier this week, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) under the astute leadership of Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steve Ninvalle, joined forces with Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) for the first time, after the beverage manufacturing giant agreed to sponsor the Association’s Under-16 boxing championships.
Yesterday at the Princess Hotel, GABA acquired another debut partnership, this time with Briso Promotions – which is headed by overseas-based Guyanese Seon Bristol – to organise and promote their first-ever boxing card which is scheduled for the mining town of Linden on Monday at the Amelia’s Ward/Wismar car park from 18:00hrs.
According to Ninvalle, amateur boxing in the mining town has been dormant for a number of years and with his association seeking to decentralise the sport, this venture with Briso Promotions is a welcome one, since it will not only allow the mining town to witness Guyana’s ‘crème de crop’ of amateur boxing, but also draw other business entities into partnership with GABA.
“First of all, let me say that GABA is pleased to be associated with Briso Promotions on this venture. Mr Bristol has always been supportive of amateur boxing in Guyana and I can recall when this executive was much younger, he paid our yearly dues to the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA), through his promotional group to whom we are grateful and say a heartfelt thank you.
“Amateur boxing in Linden has been quite dormant for a period of time and we want to let the people of that community know that we have not forgotten them, while it helps with our decentralising plan for the sport,” stated Ninvalle.
The GABA boss said the overall expenditure of the card would be in the vicinity of $250 000 to $300,000, while he lauded Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony for the ring which was donated to GABA approximately 18 months ago.
“We were always clamouring for something like that and this competition which will be held in Linden tells you why.
“The fact that we have our own ring which we can take around the country, we are now in a position to take amateur boxing to the people, rather than have people come to the boxing and all this would not have been possible without the Minister’s donation, to which I say a special thank you.”
In his brief remarks, Bristol called on the present crop of amateur boxers to look up the history of the sport, since previous amateur boxers set the trend for them to follow today.
“I have been associated with boxing in Guyana in recent times and it is my greatest pleasure to be of assistance today, when it comes to amateur boxing. Moreover this is an Olympic year and we do have some of our fighters who should be representing Guyana in London,” stated Bristol.
Also present at the function was the reigning World Boxing Council/Caribbean Boxing Federation bantamweight champion, Elton ‘Coolie Bully’ Dharry, who also made a tangible contribution to Monday’s event and was spoken of highly by Bristol.
“I am pleased to note that we have with us today, the presence of Elton Dharry who participated in the last Olympic box-off and also saw it fit to throw his support into this venture.
“But most importantly, I have to say from a North American point of view, it has not been one or two – many of our former and present fighters have poured their support in this idea of being a part of this promotion,” said Bristol.
He identified Kenny Bristol who was overwhelmed and asked if he can assist by handing over a trophy on his own behalf while there are many such as Lennox Blackmore, the Frank brothers Stephen and Rawle, Winfield Braithwaite and many others.
“These are some of the fighters of yesteryear, whom the fighters of today are totally unaware of their investment to the sport which paved the way for their performances today and it is important, we know our history.
Added to that, those individuals whom I associate with in North America, threw their support into this venture and I am hoping that they continue that trend in any given way, with amateur boxing being the main beneficiary at the end of the day, as the boxers develop into good professionals and later on become world champions.”
He called on Corporate Guyana to throw their support into the championship which both himself and GABA would like to make a long-term venture, whether it is being held around the country, with GABA looking to make Monday’s inaugural action a Linden-Georgetown affair.
In outlining Monday’s card, GABA Tournament Director and national coach Terrence Poole said national and WBC/CABOFE middleweight champion Edmond ‘Wonderboy’ De Clou will go up against a top amateur pugilist in a four-round exhibition encounter while four boxers who are currently in training for the Olympic box-offs, will also be in action.
Like Seon Bristol, Dharry, who will be in action against Charlton Skeete at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control punches off its 22nd ProAm Friday Night Fights, said he felt pleased to be giving back to the sport of amateur boxing, as he himself was given help as an amateur fighter.
Apart from Briso Promotions and Dharry, other sponsors for the event include telecommunications service provider Digicel, Allison Butters-Grant, Mark Arthur, Delta Airlines, Lion Love Promotions, Cybil’s Bakery (New York), Kenny Bristol, Lennox Blackmore, Dillon Carew and the Frank brothers Rawle and Stephen.