HISTORY was created yesterday in the boxing fraternity when six amateur boxers signed contracts to receive monthly stipends in a lucrative move to amplify the chances of the athletes to strike medals at the Olympic Games. The lone female boxer Theresa London, along with Simon Pures, Imran Khan, Stephon Gouveia, Ron Smith, Eon  Bancroft and Lennox Thomas, signed her contract to receive $25 000 monthly from May 1, and the contract will expire July 31 next year.
However, the payment of stipends to amateur boxers will carry on until the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
Among those present at the signing was president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K.A. Juman-Yassin who noted that it was a historic step.
The GOA boss also hopes this move stimulates other sports so that the output reaps dividends.
He further added, “Apart from the stipends that we are giving now, Bakewell has agreed to give bread to the boxers every other day and I have other stakeholders who should chip in and once they do that we will be able to prepare a hamper for the boxers so hopefully at the end of the month when everything is totalled up they will be getting maybe $40 000 to $50,000 in cash and hampers”.
GBA president, Steve Ninvalle, like any other grateful president, fully endorsed the move, stating that he sees it as a significant step towards the development of amateur boxing in this country.
Ninvalle thanked the GOA president for his support since the association has been longing for such support.
Ninvalle admitted that the monthly figure is indeed small but pointed out that at the end of 12 months it amounts to more than some local professionals earn in the ring.