HEAD of the McDonald’s Boxing Group Alford McDonald has extended his gratitude to those international firms that contributed to the successful staging of the just-concluded inaugural Patrick Ford Memorial Amateur Championships.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport of the championships, held at the National Gymnasium on Sunday night, McDonald, a former member of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) boxing team said his support of this inaugural Patrick Ford tournament is his way of giving back to the sport.

The former soldier/boxer, now a seafarer, working with an international shipping company, expressed his gratitude to Norma Freights Shipping Company of Puerto Rico, Turnball Sand, Challenger Trucking Service, Top Notch Trucking Service, Island Gas and Petro Gas of St Thomas, Ferrol Trucking Service and Water Spirits Services of St Croix for their financial support of the card.

McDonald said he was approached by Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) president Steve Ninvalle last year to support the card since he (McDonald) was a former amateur boxer with connections that can go a long way in promoting amateur boxing in Guyana.
McDonald said he immediately heeded the call for support since he is of the view that Guyana can secure its first-ever Olympic gold medal through amateur boxing.

McDonald said he is very impressed with the performances of Guyana’s two Olympic prospects – Colin `Superman’ Lewis, Guyana and the Caribbean junior welterweight champion; and Guyana & Caribbean bantamweight champion Keevin Allicock – over the past two years and he is very confident the duo can do Guyana proud at the 2020 Olympic Games.

McDonald said he will do all he can to ensure they get the much-needed exposure needed leading up to the 2020 Olympic Games.