Dear Editor,
THE much-anticipated championship contest between the challenger known in boxing circles as the “Big Bomber”. He is from Leonora training rout of the Uitvlugt University – the infamous Irfaan Ali. Trying to dethrone the current champion and “king” of political boxing in Guyana, David Granger.

This fight is taking place in the “Grand Arena” at the Stabroek Market
Square – in Georgetown – South America. Hundreds of political boxing dignitaries and experts from around the world have assembled here to be part of this historic event. Among them are renowned Carter Center, the Commonwealth, the OAS and Caricom. Representatives are from USA, UK, Canada and the EU all present to witness this long-awaited contest, that will change the history of political boxing in Guyana for years to come. This fight is over shadowed by Guyana becoming an oil production county – and the stacks are high, billions of US dollars are up for the grab – both camps want to be in charge of this transformative situation.

Freddie Kissoon – How you see this fight ending? “As a student of philosophy, I predict that there will be a winner and a loser. I don’t see this going the distance. This will be a bruising affair with both fighters doing everything in their power to win. I expect that the bomber will come out throwing some big punches, working on the body of the champion.” Freddie, you are an insider or have contacts – I don’t doubt you. At this point let me bring in Lincoln Lewis a trade unionist, columnist and a fan of political boxing. How do you see this thing playing out tonight? I expect the President and champion to be the classical boxer fighter, using the ring to his advantage, keeping the action to the centre of the ring – moving around to the right and left jabbing and counter punching. The longer this fight goes will be to the President’s advantage. I expect as Freddie said the bomber will be throwing some big shots – trying to end the fight with one blow. I concur with both of you and Kissoon’s pointed analysis. My concern is that Granger has to be careful and not walk into one of those big shots. His camp must be mindful of what took place in the parliament – that devastating no confident motion. The Charrandass surprise betrayal.

There is a stream of red approaching the direction of the ring they are singing and shouting “We shall overcome” – it is the Ali people. Lincoln that song is the trade unions battle song and red is the workers colour. Yes! Yes! This is what I like about political boxing everything has a context. Now entering the ring in the red corner, wearing red trunks and red overcoat is the challenger the big bomber Irfaan Ali. In his corner is the chief coach Bharat Jagdeo, Gail Teixeira and Lumumba. A notable absence is the Brigadier. It is rumoured that there is a division in the Ali camp over strategy for the fight. That may explain the “no show” of Mark Phillips. With Jagdeo and Lumumba in charge, we can assume that greater emphasis is being placed on boxing and politics. No military tactics.

There is an ocean of green and yellow approaching the direction of the ring – singing we love Guyana. This looks like an APNU+AFC rally -the flags and the chanting Granger! Granger! They are getting closer to the ring. The officials have to act now to stop them from entering the rig or this will be a major disruption. Now entering the ring in the green and yellow corner is the President and current champion, King of political boxing in Guyana David Granger. Granger! He is wearing green and yellow trunks and green and yellow overcoat. In his corner is chief coach Khemraj Ramjattan, supported by trainers Joe Harmon and Madam Volda Lawrence. This camp looks united. Ramjattan is whispering something to the champion.

The boxers and their handlers are in the centre of the ring receiving final instructions from the referee. The referee for this fight is the famous columnist, Grand Master of propaganda and expert of political boxing – A. A. Fenty. The 10-point scoring rule is in effect and two knockdowns – only the referee can stop the fight. Official scorers are Stabroek News, Kaieteur News and Guyana Chronicle. Our in house scorer is Keith Branch from the WPAOA/USA. Boxers touch gloves – Seconds out. Let’s get ready to Rambo! to Rambo! Bang.

Round one: Ali moves out of his corner stalking his opponent. Granger moved to the right then to the left trying to established effective distance. Ali throws two big shots to the direction of the head, the champion moves out of range and counter with a left to the chin and right to the ribs of the challenger. The big man absorbs those shots, no damage done. Ali ties Granger up forcing him to the ropes, working the body with a combination of punches – the champion covered up well, no damage done. The referee intervened warned the big bomber to keep his punches above the belt. Ali with a clever move after the referee said break throw a big right to the chest, the champion wobbles – that hurts – like the no-confidence motion. Granger recovers well counter with a jab to Ali’s face and a stinging left to the chin knocking his head back. Bang.

That is the end of round one. Let me bring in our in house scorer Keith Branch. How did you score that round? “Both men did what was expected Ali was the initial aggressor throwing some big shots but often missing the mark. That punch to the chest that wobbles the champion –but he failed to follow up and the President recovered well. Granger was the more accurate of the two and threw more punches. I score it 10/8 in favour of the champion.” I concur. Bang.

Round two: It is Granger this time moving forward with two jabs to the face. There is swelling over Ali’s eye. The challenger throws left and right to the body, Granger cover-up and counters with a right to the ribs and left to the head. Granger moving to the right and the left move forward with a right to the stomach and a left hook that hit Ali on the arms – no damage was done. Ali retaliates with a right to the body and left to the head, misses its target, but he ties up his man. Referee intervenes – break – the boxers are separated. Two jabs to the face of Ali and left to the ribs. The big man ties up Granger pushing him to the ropes as he works the body with short lefts and rights. The champion covers up well no damage done – Granger with a powerful uppercut to the chin knocking Ali ‘s head back’ he is in trouble – a combination of lefts and rights to the body and head by Granger. Two more lefts to the body by champion. Ali seems unable to respond. Granger pushes Ali to the ropes followed by three jabs to the face and a big right to the body Ali in trouble. Bang. He is saved by the bell. The end of round two.

That was an action-packed round with both boxers throwing everything at each other – Frederick Kissoon, how you see the fight at this stage? “The President is ahead but I would not rule out Ali, he needs to get in more of those big shots.” Lincoln, your views? “This fight can’t go the distance too much power shots are being thrown. To this point, the President has the upper hand he is counter punching well and his right and left movements are confusing Ali to the point of frustration.” And those hard shots by Granger that nearly sent him to the canvas – save by the bell. Bang.

Round three: Both men came out very watchful as Ali moves forward. Granger moves to the right then to the left using the centre of the ring. Two big shots by the champion got the attention of the big man. He swings with a wild right and Granger moves back – that failed to hit the target. Granger fires two lefts and rights to the body. Ali responds well with a left of his own and pushes the champion to the ropes. Two short blows by Ali to the body and ribs, Granger covered up well, the referee says break. The action is back to the middle of the ring. Granger with two right hooks to the head and a thunderous left to the stomach Ail buckles! But he held on tying up the champion pushing him to the ropes, where he thinks he has the advantage.

Referee Fenty intervenes in separating the boxers. Granger moves forward with two hard body shots followed up with two right jabs to the face. Ail in desperation throws a big right but Granger was out of range. Moving to the right and left the President with a big shot to Ali’s right eye and left and right combination to the body. Ali is hurt! Granger moves in with an uppercut to the chin and left and right to the body. Another combination of lefts and rights to the head and Ali is down! Referee orders Granger to his corner. One, two, three, four, five – it is all over Jagdeo has thrown in the towel. The referee has reached the count of ten. And the fight came to a sensational end with the President, retaining his crown as King of political boxing in Guyana. David Granger – Granger!

There is no need for me to check to the official scorecards of Stabroek News, Guyana Chronicle and Kaieteur News. Or that of our in house scorer Keith Branch from the WPAOA – USA. The champion ends the show with a knockout. No need to return to the CCJ.

Let the celebrations begin. A Grand Rally at the Jubilee Park

Regards
Tacuma Ogunseye