…GBA president Ninvalle hints at mixed tourney next year

By Clifton Ross
A RELENTLESS Guyana Junior Boxing team out-punched their opponents as they surged to another championship win when the 2022 Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Boxing Tournament ended on Sunday night at the home of boxing, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Guyana retaining their title was almost evident from the get-go, but more so from Saturday evening as the local team wrapped things up in the driver’s seat with a solid lead over their opponents. Much credit should be given to the Bahamians who finished in second place with nine points, Trinidad & Tobago (eight) and St. Lucia (five) respectively.

However, the competition was no match for the relentless nature of what Manager Seon Bristol deemed as “13 Pitbulls”, who lived up to their expectations, racking up a whopping 23 points following three successful nights of action, further maintaining their undefeated streak.

Team Guyana’s star was undoubtedly Jeremiah Duncan, who bagged the award for Best Boxer, while his teammates added further support. While Guyana retaining their title was a huge deal, the bigger picture according to Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) president, Steve Ninvalle, was ensuring the legacy of boxing was preserved while identifying the future representatives for the international stage, not only from Guyana but the Caribbean, holistically.

“I think it’s the most important event for boxing in the Caribbean. As I said, our nursery is of immense importance. This has also been echoed by every country that has come here. From a personal standpoint, I am extremely happy for what we have been able to achieve. At one point we were saying that this is something that we will not be able to do but because of its importance, we know that we cannot fail with this nursery,” Ninvalle outlined following the end of Sunday’s final.

Ninvalle followed up by adding that next year’s event could see a mixed tourney with the inclusion of women, something he hinted at prior to the initial stages of the tournament.
The GBA president supported his notion by reassuring that with the support of the government and newer facilities, the tournament is expected to become the flagship event for junior boxing in the Caribbean in the future.