THE Terrence Alli National Open boxing tournament will punch off at the National Gymnasium this evening with the potential of being the best slug-fest seen in Guyana for some time.

The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) organised event is scheduled to showcase some of the best fighters in the Caribbean including 2017 Junior Sports Man of the Year Keevin Allicock, Caribbean Middleweight champion `Dynamite’ Desmond Amsterdam, Jamal Eastman and Colin `Superman’ Lewis.
Returning to the ring for the first time in over 18 months is policeman Dennis `Menace’ Thomas

The 2015 Caribbean Development Tournament silver medalist is making a comeback sporting some light heavyweight pounds after moving up from middleweight. Thomas’ return could spell trouble for reigning National and Caribbean light heavyweight champion Markember ‘Violence’ Pieirre of the Guyana Defence Force.

When the two last met Thomas came out ahead on points. The classy Thomas is being trained by AIBA Three Star coach Sebert Blake of the Forgotten Youth Foundation gym. A Best Boxer at the 2014 Caribbean Goodwill Tournament held here, the six- footer has represented Guyana at several major international events and remains one of the most experienced local pugilists.

Apart from Allicock, Thomas is the only current fighter to have participated at a World Championships. In 2013 he and Imran Khan travelled to Kazakhstan to represent Guyana at the Championships.

His return adds spice to National Open as Thomas will have his eyes set on being a part of the National team to the Caribbean Championships.

Also gunning for a place on the National team are super heavyweight Steven Chan and bantamweight Asheer Al Azeem both from the USA. GBA president Steve Ninvalle claimed that it would be the first time in over five years that the tournament will carry a “foreign flavour”.

The National Open is the last statutory event on the GBA 2019 calendar of events and entry fee is $500 for stands and $1000 for ringside. The first fight is set to commence at 19.00hrs.