THE talk among boxing fans is that the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service are all set to come out with guns blazing this weekend when the Terrence Ali National Open Boxing gets underway.The three military organisations all have their eyes on grabbing the coveted Champion Gym title and the Prison Service have gone as far as having an `AK 47’ in their corner, leaving fans to believe it will be a Joint Services firearm competition.

National heavyweight champion Jason `AK 47’ Barker will lead the Prison Service team that includes talented welterweight Joshua `JJ’ Joseph, a ‘Best Boxer’ at the last Andrew Lewis National Novices Championships.
The 27-year-old Barker has not lost a fight since Quincy `Biggie’ Small had the better of him on points at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre in October 2014.
Since then, the `AK 47’ took aim and secured a Gold medal at the Caribbean Development tournament in 2015 and earlier this month had his first overseas engagement, when he travelled to Barbados to stop his opponent in the first round.
His attention is now turned to the GDF, the reigning Champion Gym. The last time the Republicans (Prison Service) and GDF met, the former won the competition for most supporters and the beating of drums.
In order to retain the title the army has packed its team with seasoned campaigners, with 24-year-old light-heavyweight Desmond Amsterdam spearheading the soldier’s quest for honours.

The hard-hitting Amsterdam is a Caribbean Development Tournament Gold Medalist and has lost only once in 16 fights. He would be ably assisted by national bantamweight champion Clairmont Gibson. Meanwhile, The Guyana Police Force is relying on the experience of Dennis `Menace’ Thomas and Diwani Lampkin to secure gold medals.
Thomas is the national middleweight champion and has represented Guyana at most major international tournaments except the Olympic Games.
The Terrence Ali National Open tournament will punch off tomorrow evening at 7 pm. It concludes on Sunday, the same day that the Guyana Boxing Association holds a fund-raising take-away lunch.
The weighing-in of boxers will take place this afternoon at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis gym commencing at 17.00hrs