THE country’s pugilists returned home last night to a hero’s welcome after topping their regional counterparts when the St Lucian Boxing Association hosted the Caribbean Boxing Championship from February 28 to March 2nd in the island nation of St Lucia.
Director of Sport and Head of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle says it has been seven years since Guyana last captured the regional championship.

Ninvalle said they have been unable to win the title in that time because of lack of funding and inability to send a large contingent but that changed with the tremendous support of Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports this year and by extension of the Minister of Sport Charles Ramson (Jnr).
Ninvalle says the government has walked with them every step of the way, he alluded to the diversity of the team which included boxers from Berbice and other outline parts of the country.
The GBA head announced that the government led by President Irfaan Ali had indicated that $80M has been set aside for the development of a state-of-the-art boxing facility in Berbice.

Ninvalle closed by thanking the support staff and charged the boxers to be ready for the next level as boxing will be going to higher heights in the coming months and years after their eye-catching performances.
Guyana topped the medal charts after capturing nine gold medals along with three silver and two bronze medals after fielding a sizable contingent at the championship.
Second place went to Trinidad and Tobago with five gold medals, and third going to host St Lucia with two gold medals.

The Guyanese gold medal winners were Alicia Jackman, Desmond Amsterdam, Colin Lewis, Kevin Allicock, Terron Wintz, Simeon Haymer, Joshua Tambaran, Abiola Jackson and Kenyon Britton.
Olympian and top Caribbean light weight boxer Kevin Allicock battling in the 57kg elite final took a split decision win over Trinidad’s Anthony Joseph, while his country mate Amsterdam also won via split decision over Trinidad and Tobago Aaron Prince.
Colin Lewis took a points decision win over St Lucian Jastice Surage in the elite 67kg final

Allicock for his efforts was adjusted the best elite boxer in the championship, while Terron Wintz claimed best youth boxer on show.
Alicia Jackman fought hard to beat Antigua and Barbuda’s Chantal Johnson in the women elite 75kg finals, she ended it in the first round with a knock-out with her sister Abiola winning on points in her 80 plus kg battle in the elite finals against Angel George
The nation last won the overall championship title in 2018.

The team was managed by Seon Bristol with coaches Lennox Daniels, Francisco Roldan, Clifton Moore, and Jeff Roberts.
Guyana Boxing Association executive Seon Bristol said on the team’s return that he is overwhelmed with the country’s performance at the championship.
Also present to greet the team was Vice Chair of the National Sports Commission Cristy Campbell.

Campbell said that boxing continues to do well for the country and congratulated the team on a fine showing at the boxing championship.