Guyana’s only Olympics medallist Michael Parris was not a heavy handed fighter. In fact, Parris relied more on slick moves and hand speed to defeat opponents. His lack of power is evident in the small number of stoppages in his 13-year career. Paul Lloyd became the last of three Knock Out victims for Parris on November 24, 1995. The fight was held in the United Kingdom and the Guyanese, at the ripe old age of 38, TKOed the Englishman in round four of the bout that was scheduled for eight. Lloyd would later become the Commonwealth bantamweight champion. Parris won a bronze medal in the 1980, Moscow Olympics. He turned pro two years later and in a sterling career had two epic battles with Anthony `The Pearl’ Andrews and Darius Ford.
He was crowned the bantamweight champion of Guyana in 1983 but lost the title the following year. Parris has been honoured by the Guyana Olympic Association which named the gym in the National Park after him.