EVER so often, we sit and wonder why in heaven’s name some of our very own talented sons of the soil are not accredited with the recognition they deserved, or celebrated for the fame they brought us through their many and diverse exploits.

I was simply reduced to tears when, just recently, I bumped into ‘legendary’ Guyanese boxer Terrence Ali, and listened to his story and his disappointment at returning home after bringing Guyana intense boxing fame, only to be laughed at and ridiculed by his very own.

During our conversation, Ali detailed that despite having put Guyana on the map in the boxing arena, he was never really rewarded or given the deserved respect from the relative authorities here in Guyana.

“Even though I was living overseas, I always fought for Guyana…I fought as a Guyanese and always kept the Golden Arrowhead flying. When I would have retired a long time after and returned home, I never got the king’s welcome I expected. I am a humble man and wasn’t really looking for anything…but, come on, folks, in the other Caribbean countries, the athletes, beauty queens and so forth are given red carpet welcome, and even rewarded with motorcades…I got practically nothing; it was as if no one cared about me or what I had done for this country, and I think this is one of the reasons our very talented artistes and athletes migrate in search of deserved recognition.”

Catherineville is indeed the home to Guyanese international boxing icon Terrence Ali (Halley), whom villagers feel has never been deservedly acknowledged or celebrated by his own Guyanese.

When he retired from the Boxing profession, not so long ago, he was just left to wither on the sideline, with him lamenting that many fellow Guyanese does not seem to recognise the great contributions he made for Guyana in the sport, since he always fought under the emblem of the Golden Arrowhead.

We were lucky to bump into this long lost celebratory soul, and we had quite an interesting conversation.

In years gone by, the name Terrence Ali was synonymous with ‘boxing stardom’ and repeated victories on the international front, putting Guyana on the map amongst the elites in the sport of boxing.

His name was on the lips of almost every Guyanese, and he was indeed the icon that Guyanese depended on to signal to the world that Guyana has talent and gifted personalities. His fame spiralled to great heights for many years as he performed miracles in the international Lightweight Boxing Division.

His still impressive record reads 52 winnings, (21 knockouts), 15 defeats and 2 draws, while he has boxed some 550 rounds in his career.

Then, in 1998, the boxer came back to his home village of Catherineville, Mahaicony, but not to receive the warm and refreshing tropical welcome he had expected.
On arrival in the village, Ali quickly became the focus of many idle Calcutta youths and adults alike, who began calling him names and sending him into fits of rage when they did. The once celebrated ‘king’ had now become the scorn and amusement of the village, and none seemed to remember his past accomplishments.

“When I returned home, I thought I would have at least been welcomed by my villagers. But there I received a rude awakening…I mean, I could have tried to live (with the thought) that those in higher authority were too busy with other things and could not even look in my direction. But I was totally crushed when villagers made me a ‘mocking stock’, calling me foul names as they taunted me most ruthlessly in the most distasteful fashion”.

Ali was very elated that someone was actually paying interest in him, and related that since his fall from stardom, everyone seemed to have found him to be a ‘village amusement personality.’ He even mentioned that, as he travelled around Guyana, citizens just refused to believe that he was the once celebrated king of boxing.

“Everywhere I go people just seem to make fun of me. Nobody even seems to remember that I was once the boxing champion that was doing wonders for Guyana. In some cases, persons would laugh me to scorn when I tell them I am the legendary Terrence Ali”.

My finding during our interview was that the boxer now resides by himself in Catherineville, and is now a farmer by profession. His days are now spent hanging out with youths in the village, playing cards, or reminiscing on the good times he enjoyed when he was a star.

Ali left Guyana in 1982 to follow his intended career, and went first to Trinidad, where he invaded the boxing arena and soon made a name for himself. On arriving in Trinidad, he worked as a construction worker before going into the trade of boxing full time.

Soon after, he travelled to Canada and later the USA, and it was in these two states that he climbed the ladder of success and became one of the most celebrated boxers from the Caribbean.

The once talented boxer stopped boxing in 1997 and returned to Guyana in 1998.
Well, he is back in Guyana and is finished with boxing altogether, regardless of what circumstances have caused this to happen. On arrival here in Guyana, it was Ali’s intention to pass on his skills to the many youths in the Mahaicony district and even Berbice, but he is of the opinion that the youngsters are just not interested, nor are they ready to handle the dedication and discipline that attends the profession.

However, Ali will indeed take up the mantle of the youths who show genuine interest and teach them all he knows, since ‘a fire burns within him to impart his skills and knowledge’. He will reopen his gym and offer extensive training for youths, providing they pay a small entrance fee and monthly donations to keep the gym functional.

Alli is the father of five children, all of whom reside in the United States of America (USA).
By Alex Wayne