… International flavour & money for medals

By Sean Devers
THE much anticipated Terrence Ali National Open Championships will return for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in 2019.

The three-night card, set for the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue from tonight, is named in honour of the 62-year-old former lightweight boxing stalwart.

This year’s event will have International flavour with a couple of pugilists from Suriname being involved and for the first time in a local amateur card there will be money for medals.

First bout begins at 19:00hrs and admission is just $500. It is hoped that a large contingent of boxing fans will come out tonight for the last boxing card for the year.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) emerged winners in 2019 but their title defence will not be as straightforward as in previous times. Police, who tied with them for Championship honours in the last Mike Parris Card, could be tough opponents.

National coach Terrence Poole is in charge of the soldiers while 37-year-old Flyweight boxer Dexter ‘the Kid’ Marques is the coach of the Police Boxing Gym.
However, like in the 2022 World Cup, upsets happen in sports and any of the other gyms can win.

Rosehall Jammers will represent the Ancient County while a gym from Essequibo is carded to compete with the City gyms, which include Forgotten Youths Foundation, Republicans, Police and GDF.

The Dutch boxers from Guyana eastern neighbours Suriname; will be keen to impress in their first outing.

With the ‘Money for Medals’ system, Guyana becomes the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean that will financially compensate its Elite amateur pugilists at the National Championship

The atmosphere at the National Gymnasium tonight should be riveting. Apart from the fistic fury anticipated in the ring, GDF Drummers should add to the entertainment while beverages and snacks with be on sale.