GUYANA’S quest for honours at the Pan Am Qualifier in Tijuana, Mexico, started on shaky ground last Thursday as both Dewani Lampkin and Delon Charles lost by 3-0 margins. Manager/coach Sebert Blake said yesterday that both boxers gave creditable performances and should be groomed for the future. Bantamweight Charles was the first to enter the ring but lost to Tafari Ebanks of Cayman Islands. Delon Charles’ fight was high intensity and he worked very hard. However, I think he was trying to get off too many punches which affected the maintenance of his balance. In my view Charles landed more punches,” Blake said.
Eighteen-year-old lightweight Lampkin, the baby of the team, competed against a tough opponent in Kevin Luna of Guatemala, the coach reported. “He had points taken away during the fight but has shown much heart and that he is one for the future,” Blake opined.
Junior welterweight Jason Phillips and middleweight Dennis Thomas were due to compete yesterday evening. Phillips was due to face Nelson Dian of Nicaragua while Thomas, Team Guyana’s most experienced member, was set to tackle Trinidadian Aaron Prince.
The four boxers endured a two-week encampment at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis gym where they fine-tuned skills before departing for Mexico. Medal winners in Tijuana are automatic qualifiers for the Pan Am Games scheduled for next month in Canada.