THE Republican and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gyms were up to last evening locked in `battle’ as they both were seeking championship honours when the Guyana Boxing Association’s Terrence Alli National Open Championships was scheduled to conclude at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.The Republicans dominated the soldiers on the opening night (Friday), but the latter brought their full `armoury’ on Saturday evening and took control of the situation and in the process, set up an interesting night of finals last evening.
The soldiers’ stronghold on Saturday night’s bouts was helped somewhat by what most fans believe was poor officiating,which led to protests by the inmates of the Georgetown Prisons.This caused Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, to call an emergency meeting at which he asked the boxers if they want to continue their participation in the tournament.The prison inmates all said they wanted to continue with the tournament and hencethe night’s card progressed.
Shortly after, the soldiers were not too pleased with a decision which went against their own and they too protested;resulting in another meeting, this time among the soldiers themselves, but at the end of it the night’s card continued.
At the end of the night’s proceedings, the soldiers won five of their nine bouts while the Republicans secured four victories and lost six, but two of those losses were against their own.
Going into last night’s finals in 11 divisions, both the Republicans and Soldiers were equally balanced and it may take the efforts of the other gyms – Essequibo, Forgotten Youth Foundation and Rose Hall Jammers – to be a stumbling block and have the last say as to who is the champion gym in this year’s national open championship.