Promoter promises `explosive’ night of boxing

ALEEM Hussain, promoter of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Bad Blood’ January 20 six-fight boxing card, promises that come fight night, boxing buffs and fans will witness six explosive fights.
These fights, he noted, can possibly change the outlook of what Guyana has to offer as a sports tourism destination.

Hussain, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NexGen Global Marketing Inc. said after almost one year of inactivity by the GBBC, it is back in a big way and the public support of this card will determine where professional boxing is headed on the local scene.
“The more public support we get, the more fight cards will be promoted by my company. We (GBBC/NextGen Global) want to have at least one card every month and this is the vision of GBBC president Peter Abdool,” Hussain stated.

The `Bad Blood’ card will feature Guyana’s flyweight champion Dexter `De Kid’ Marques coming up against Dionis Martinez Arias of Venezuela in a 10-round contest.
Marques, who has a professional record of 16 victories, two losses, no draw and is unbeaten in his last eight fights, will be using this contest as a warm-up for his Commonwealth title fight against champion Jay Harris of Wales on March 31 at the Copperbox Arena. The title fight is being promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.

Arias, on the other hand has won six of his 17 fights, lost nine and drawn, two.
According to Hussain, once the card is a success in terms of public support, the Guyanese public can expect top quality fights in the future.
The duo’s (his and Abdool’s) vision is to have fighters from at least 15 countries coming to Guyana which he says can make Guyana the Mecca of professional boxing in the Caribbean.

Hussain said that he had discussions with Dr. George Norton about this idea and the Minister with responsibility for Sport is in full support of the venture.
Having regular fight cards, he noted, will create a path for the country’s youths who will have something to work towards, thereby earning a livelihood for themselves, and keeping out of trouble.

Hussain said it is his and the GBBC’s intention to make Guyana the Las Vegas of Boxing in the Caribbean, putting the country at the pinnacle of the sport in the world.
“It all starts with this card on January 20 and we leave it in the hands of the public,.” Hussain stated, adding, “If they want boxing, then they have to come out in their numbers and we’ll give them boxing.”

The businessman said he is expecting a sold-out crowd, especially since the admission fee is very affordable for anyone who is really interested to see a good night’s fight card for as little as $1 000 (stands) $2 000 (ringside) and $4 000 (VIP).

Comparing the cost of witnessing this card in Guyana with fight cards in North America, Hussain pointed out a fight card in the U.S. with a title fight inclusive; it costs in the vicinity of US$250.

He pointed out that the January 20 card includes a 12-round WBC FECABOX light heavyweight title bout between Guyana’s Shawn Corbin and Trinidad and Tobago’s highly-ranked Sheldon Lawrence in the main supporting bout of the card.