… cries foul at GBBC
ANDREW ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, Vivian Harris, Iwan Azore, Kevin Placide and Mark Austin, just to name a few, are some of the boxers who are on my pillow list for next year.” Those were the words of the undefeated light middleweight pugilist Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy, who is calling on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control to ensure he is more active in the squared circle come next year.
“When I look at the record of the United States-based Leon Moore, you can see that he built his foundation from an early age to reach where he is today and certainly I know I can emulate him and give Guyana glory.
Having said that, I think the GBBC has not been doing much for me when it comes to getting opponents to keep me more active, since according to one official, ‘they cannot locate opponents for me, since I finish my fights too early’ – a statement I readily disagree with,” said Hardy.
According to the 24-year-old orthodox pugilist who packs a powerful right hand he is knicknamed the ‘Chin Checker’. If the GBBC have a problem with his fights being over in the wink of an eye, then they need to get the bigger and more established opponents to step up to the plate.
“I called out Lewis already and he refused to fight me, saying ‘he would spoil my career’ but never accepts the offer. I sparred with him while I was an amateur boxer and I believe that I have the ability to step into the ring and come away with a victory over him.
Yes, he is Guyana’s first world champion and I give him all the respect for such accomplishments, but at the same time, if he knows he would spoil my career, why not step up to the plate and do so. I would love to face him. That’s why he is at the top of the pillow list,” stated Hardy.
Hardy was scheduled to face Austin on the Briso Promotions card which was set for the Princess Hotel on December 17, but was rescheduled to sometime next and organised their card.
“On the GBBC card which is set for that same date, I was to face Azore for the World Boxing Council (WBC)/Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light middleweight title and after I accepted the fight, I was told by a GBBC official I have to pay the sanctioning fee of US$3 000.
This was after I tried several times to make contact with the GBBC, including its president Peter Abdool, all to no avail.”
He added, “How do they expect me, an up-and-coming fighter to pay such a fee when other boxers here in Guyana are not doing it?
“It is a big punch in the face for me, since I feel I am being held back by the GBBC, who knows fully well that I have the ability and potential to compete on the bigger stage with success and at the same time bring pride to Guyana through my hands.
“What they need to do is stop bringing boys to do a man’s job in the ring and get the bigger boys, such as Lewis and Azore to step up to the plate. I have placed Harris, Placide and Austin along with Barbados’ Christopher ‘Shaka’ Henry on the pillow list, since I feel I have the ability to defeat these guys on my journey to becoming the next world champion from Guyana.”
Hardy whose record reads 6-0 with five of his victories coming by the knock-out route, is waiting on the GBBC to address his concerns, as he is looking to be more active next year, which he himself has labelled ‘the beat down season’.