FORMER BOXER-turned-journalist Michael Benjamin is on a drive to preserve the history of Guyana’s boxing. Benjamin, in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, has begun a programme to document the history of the sport in Guyana and has commenced work on the creation of a boxing archive. 

The programme is being hailed as an enhancement to the entire boxing fraternity and according to GABA boss Steve Ninvalle, is long overdue. The archives would be housed at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown when opened later this year.
“Mr Benjamin should be applauded for coming up with this sound and timely initiative that would serve and enrich both amateur and professional boxing. It is important that we preserve the history of our beloved sport. This is indeed a shot in the arm,” Ninvalle said.
Guyana has had several world, Commonwealth and FECARBOX champions at the professional level. The country’s lone Olympic medallist came through the sport.
Pointing out the timeliness of the initiative, Ninvalle disclosed that he was shocked that several members of the Michael Parris Fitness Centre in the National Park when asked, knew nothing about the person after whom the facility was named.
“There is a history bottleneck in boxing. It has happened for too long and needs to be cleared now.”
Benjamin has already started gathering pictorial images of Guyana’s world champions. These images would be displayed at the Gym alongside brief bio data and achievements of the fighters. In addition, a log book with information of Guyanese fighters would be created.
“We would start with world champions but eventually it will include every person who has made a significant contribution to our boxing. This cannot be an overnight accomplishment but rather would take some time,” Ninvalle added.
“Benjamin’s idea is to make the Gym truly a home for boxing where video footage of Guyanese fighters would be shown and local fighters can have a place to better know and interact with each other.”
Benjamin is a former national and WBC Continental of the Americas lightweight champion who went on to graduate from the University of Guyana with a degree in Communication.
The archive and photograph gallery will be opened with a ceremony in December.