THE Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Hostile Territory’ card, set for February 27 at the Giftland Mall, East Coast Demerara, has seen changes with one more professional fight added and another being changed in terms of the opponents.According to GBBC’s match-maker Eion Jardine, the feature bout which was to have been between United States-based Guyanese and Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) bantamweight champion Elton `The Coolie Bully’ Dharry and Panamanian Israel Hidrogo in a 10-round contest, will now see the Guyanese fight Venezuela’s Felix Machado, a former International Boxing Federation super flyweight champion over 10 rounds.
Additionally, Cassius Matthews will face old rival Keshon Simon in a six-round welterweight rematch.
The last time the two faced each other Matthews secured a split decision. That was on Boxing Night in 2013.
The main supporting bout brings together Guyana’s Dexter Marques and Venezuela’s Freddy Beleno in a flyweight fight over 10 rounds.
The opening fight on the night’s card will be a four-round ladies bantamweight contest between Mandessa Moses and Ansilla Norville.
Imran Khan who made his debut as a professional last year will match gloves with Quincy Gomes in a six-round lightweight contest and Guyana’s Revlon Lake will face Barbados’ Miguel Antoine in a six-round welterweight contest.
Speaking at the contract-signing ceremony a few weeks ago, GBBC’s president Peter Abdool said he is extremely happy to be associated with the Giftland Mall in staging the card, citing that the venue has made a tremendous difference for the staging of professional cards. He informed that Giftland Mall wants to make the venue a home to professional boxing.
Abdool said while this card was in the making, the Commonwealth Board has made it mandatory for Elton `The Coolie Bully’ Dharry to fight for its bantamweight title right here in Guyana on May 21.
Abdool also informed that on that card (May 21), recently crowned FECABOX junior welterweight champion Dexter Gonsalves will also be taking a shot at the Commonwealth junior welterweight title.
These fights, along with a few others, will be aired on Sky Sports.
Admission to the venue on fight night is $5 000 for ringside and $2 000 for outer ringside.