By Michael DaSilva

Guyana’s chances of securing a spot in the boxing championships at the 2016 Rio Olympics are very slim, as the two boxers selected to represent the Golden Arrowhead at the Olympic Qualifiers in Buenos Aries, Argentina, beginning today are a bit inexperienced.
This is the view of Manager/Coach of the two boxers Sebert Blake, who, prior to their departure for Argentina on Tuesday evening, told Chronicle Sport even though Desmond Amsterdam and Dennis Thomas have been in the sport for some time, they have not had sufficient exposure to real competitive competition, regionally and internationally.
Blake disclosed that Thomas, a member of the Guyana Police Force, is the more experienced of the two, having represented Guyana on numerous occasions, but has not faced seasoned amateur boxers, while Amsterdam, a member of the Guyana Defence Force, has only fought once outside of Guyana and that was last year, when he won the light heavyweight title at the Caribbean Development Championships that was held in Barbados.
Both Thomas and Amsterdam have dominated their divisions (Middleweight and light heavyweight respectively) on the local scene for the past four to five years.
“I hope Amsterdam will be able to overcome the jitters of fighting at such level” Blake stated, adding, “Only two persons from each of the weight divisions from the Americas will be able to qualify for their Rio Games in Brazil”.
With regards to Thomas, Blake who has been actively involved in the sport for many years ,said Thomas is very experienced and has a strong chance of making it to the final in his weight division in Argentina, but during his preparation, he (Thomas) did not get the opportunity of sparring with experienced boxers and this could be a setback for him.
Blake added “All in all, I see the zeal in them to make it to the Olympics and bring it home”.
Since 1996 when `Big’ John Douglas qualified for the Atlanta, USA Olympics, has any Guyanese boxer qualified for an Olympic.
Blake is of the opinion that Guyana’s amateur boxers are more technically equipped than their counterparts in the Region and further afield.
According to Blake, the problem preventing local boxers from making it to the big stage is the fact that “the judges kind of being lenient to the more seasoned fighters” Blake stated.
This however is debatable.
Blake feels that the time has come for the Guyana Boxing Association to start looking at its nursery programme and placing emphasis on it.
“We need to focus on our youths and I’m sure we will do well for 2020”.