Out of town gyms benefit from intermediate boxing

At the conclusion of the Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate Boxing Championships on Sunday, the Guyana Defence Force retained the title as the best boxing gym, but two gyms – one from Berbice and the other from Essequibo that took part, though not finishing as overall winners were definitely not losers.

Representing the Cinderella county, the Essequibo Boxing gym under the watchful eyes of coach Clifton Moore and Rose Hall Town Jammers, trained by Gregory Cort, took away a few prizes but more importantly exposure and reassurance that talent in those areas are not being overshadowed by gyms in the city.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport the two coaches expressed their delight of the support shown in order for the sport to flourish in those extreme conditions.

The Coach of the Essequibo Boxing gym highlighted that this was not the first year they are a part of the event, but a consistent activity on the calendar for the gym since 2002 and it is with this that the gym produced champions.

“Since 2002 we have been coming to this event and we have sent boxers overseas through these very scouting grounds and they have returned with awards.” Moore said.

The Essequibo Boxing Gym, though having a small contingent has plans to expand its reach with the business fraternity coming on board.

“Currently we have a membership of 22 and we were given a number of gears from renowned businessmen in the community and it is through this initiative that the gym will be able to recruit more members.” Moore added. One of the promising prospects mentioned by Moore was the Amateur Welterweight winner, Akil Mounter, who is also a Caribbean champion and a “precision puncher.”

In addition to the Essequibo Gym, Coach of the Rose Hall Jammers, Gregory Cort also spoke on the spoils he and his team would have achieved on their trip, and the challenges boxing faces in the ancient county.

“Despite only brining three contenders to the championship, all of them made it to the finals” Cort pointed out.

It was evident through that Cort was dedicated to lifting the sport in the eastern most county, by always having a boxer in every national event.

“Even if is one boxer representing we, I make sure is one of the best and they make us proud” Cort added, “at this year’s Championship the guys made us proud and as a county we can lift our heads high.”

However, it was the fighting spirit of the team that has lead to their success as they battle poor conditions for boxing in the ancient county indicating that more could be done to help develop the sport in the Berbice.

Rose Hall Town star, Julius Kesney defeated Guyana Defence Force boxer, Courtney Lynch in the Elite Bantam weight category to cart off the top prize at the championships.