ABIOLA Jackman etched her name in Guyana’s boxing history books by becoming the first boxer Guyanese, male or female, to win a gold medal at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships.
The historic moment came on Thursday evening in Ecuador, where she delivered a commanding performance in the finals of the Women’s 81kg division.
Facing Ecuador’s Daniela Espana in front of a home crowd, Jackman displayed poise, precision, and relentless aggression.
She dominated every round of the bout, with the judges unanimously awarding her the victory, except for Alexander Parra, who scored the first round in favour of Espana. The rest of the contest was all Jackman, who outboxed and outmuscled her opponent to claim the gold medal in style.
Jackman, who was also named Best Female Boxer at this year’s Caribbean Boxing Championships in St. Lucia, is riding an extraordinary wave of form.
Her victory adds to her growing legacy and makes her only the second Guyanese to medal at the AMBC Elite Championships.
The first was Desmond Amsterdam, who secured a bronze in 2022 after a semi-final finish; an achievement that also made him the first Guyanese amateur boxer to receive prize money under the International Boxing Association’s revised payment structure.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, was effusive in his praise for Jackman’s performance and its wider implications for the sport in Guyana, especially among women.
“This is a monumental moment not only for Abiola but for all of Guyanese boxing,” Ninvalle said. “We are extremely proud of her achievement. It goes to show that with hard work, dedication, and the right opportunities, our boxers can rise to any occasion and make the country proud.”
Ninvalle also underscored the GBA’s long-standing commitment to gender equality in the sport, noting the crucial role played by sisters Abiola and Alesha Jackman in paving the way for the next generation of female fighters.
“We’ve always been strategic in ensuring equal opportunity for our female boxers,” he emphasised. “Abiola and Alesha Jackman have led by example, and Abiola’s gold medal is the fruit of that vision and effort. Abiola’s dedication to training, her discipline, and her willingness to represent Guyana at every opportunity, it’s all coming together now on the international stage.”
Reflecting on Jackman’s evolution in the sport, Ninvalle pointed out her consistent growth and work ethic as the backbone of her success.
“We know the kind of effort she puts in behind the scenes,” he said. “she always shows up ready to compete. To see her excel at one of the most prestigious tournaments in the Americas, it’s truly fulfilling.”
Looking ahead, Ninvalle reaffirmed the GBA’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and giving both male and female boxers the platform they need to succeed on the international stage.
“We remain focused on our mission to provide exposure and development for our young, emerging, and elite boxers,” he stated.
According to Ninvalle, “Jackman’s success isn’t just about her. It’s a spark, an inspiration to others. We believe her gold medal will motivate not just other female fighters, but all boxers in Guyana, to stay focused, work hard, and believe that they too will get their moment in the spotlight.”