CLOSE relatives, friends and boxing fraternity paid their last respects to the late Claude Lennox Beckles, former super lightweight champion of Guyana, on March 1 at a simple yet solemn ceremony to celebrate his life at the Sandy’s Funeral Home, Chapel Street, Lodge.
His body was later interred at the Le Repentir cemetery

Beckles, familiarly called “Len”, who was born on October 12, 1942, and had etched a name for himself in the annals of Guyana’s boxing history in the 60s, died recently in Trinidad and Tobago where he resided with his wife, Joy. He was 77.
Among those at the service to celebrate Beckles’s life were his wife; Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association/Chairman of the AIBA Youth Commission; former Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green and a number of local boxing pundits, including Keith Bazilio aka “Buckilo”.

Chase-Green offered a tribute on behalf of the Guyana Boxing Board, while a message from Las Vegas-based Brian Muller, a former national boxer who fought against Beckles during the latter’s heyday and lost, was read by his eldest daughter Kelly-An.

Muller recalled, at age 14 becoming mesmerised with Beckles’ boxing skills and eventually introducing himself to the boxer and later becoming a boxer himself, while serving in the Guyana Defence Force, with Beckles as the coach. Ironically, Beckles fought his last fight on May 27, 1979, against Muller.

Beckles’ boxing career spanned some 19 years beginning in 1960 during which time he chalked up a total of 45 fights, which included 34 wins and seven knockouts. Though regarded as a junior welterweight, Beckles also fought in the welterweight and junior middleweight divisions. His first fight was against David Ralph at the GFC ground.

As a pugilist, Beckles ventured into the top classes of his division and made Guyana proud, especially when he fought then Jamaican and Commonwealth champion, Bunny Grant, here in 1967. The fight, which was held at the GFC Ground, was declared a draw.
Also in 1967, Beckles fought and lost to Venezuelan Carlos Hernandez.
In 1968, Beckles fought Jose Napoles, a legend in international boxing, for a World Championship title. He lost that fight which was staged in Mexico.

Beckles, during his heyday, also fought against local boxers Ivelaw Stephenson, Caesar Barrow, and Vernon Lewis, American Eddie Perkins and John Cooke for the British and Commonwealth titles in England but lost on points. He, however, returned to beat him in a rematch.
He was also credited for imparting a lot of his boxing skills to some then young pugilists.

The GBBC, in a statement following the news of Beckles’ passing, said it “deeply mourns the loss of arguably, one of the most gifted fighters who has ever graced our land.”
Beckles’ ring craft was similar in style to that of ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker and Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather and, had in common with these famous fighters, blistering hand speed and the best footwork ever seen from a Guyanese fighter.

“Lennox Beckles epitomised boxing’s nickname ‘the sweet science’. His mastery of the craft attracted hundreds of spectators every time he fought and he was truly ‘poetry in motion’. His extraordinary skill was a source of great national pride to Guyanese boxing enthusiasts and his exploits left an indelible legacy which helped to lay the foundation for the champions who followed.”

The statement concluded: “The Board deeply regrets the passing of this extraordinary talent and son of the soil who passed quietly in Trinidad where he was residing. He will be remembered as an honoured and cherished member of the Guyanese boxing fraternity”.