Historic night of boxing for Dharry

The Pegasus Suites in Kingston, Georgetown transformed into a cauldron of celebration as Elton Dharry etched his name into history, becoming Guyana’s eighth world boxing champion by snatching the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Super Bantamweight World Championship, defeating Tanzania’s Salmin Kassim.

This epic battle unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, marking a milestone in Guyana’s boxing lore.
At the remarkable age of 40, Dharry showcased an indomitable spirit, securing a unanimous decision with scores of 117-109 from two judges and 118-109 from the third, cementing his legacy as a Guyanese boxing icon.
The atmosphere was electric, with President Dr Irfaan Ali present to witness the historic moment as the crowd erupted in chants of “Dharry! Dharry!” during the final seconds of the gripping 12-round match.
Dharry faced adversity when he was knocked down in the second round, but quickly regained his footing and delivered a stunning fifth-round performance, landing powerful body shots and head strikes that had Kassim on the defensive. Both fighters endured cuts from accidental headbutts, but it was Dharry’s impressive composure and masterful use of his right jab that ultimately secured his victory.

In a thrilling co-main event, Keevin Allicock claimed the Guyana featherweight title when his opponent, Dexter Marques, was unable to continue due to a cut over his right eye, marking a significant milestone in Allicock’s career.
Additionally, Desmond Amsterdam scored a remarkable first-round Technical Knockout (TKO) against Jamaica’s Kevin “Fist of Fury” Hilton, showcasing his relentless determination in the ring.
Yet, the night undeniably belonged to Dharry, who emerged drenched in blood, sweat, and tears, joining the ranks of Guyana’s boxing greats.

Praise from the Sport Minister
As the praises for Dharry’s historic performance on Saturday night rolled, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr were among those who had high words for the marvellous achievement.
Ramson Jr wrote in a social media post, “Congratulations to Elton Dharry on winning a World Title in the ‘HISTORIC FIRST’ Men’s World Title boxing match held in Guyana.
“Last night, Elton “the Bull” Dharry defeated Tanzania’s Salmin Kassim by unanimous decision, securing the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Bantamweight World Title.
This was the first Men’s World Title boxing match held in Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport – Guyana has been working on this for the past three years.
I am extremely proud of Elton – we are extremely proud of you – you deserve this! This victory is even sweeter because I have heard persons whisper – “Elton should hang up his gloves”. This victory is a lesson for everyone – the naysayers, the critics, the pundits do not and will never define your destiny!
Dharry world title last night takes Guyana’s tally to eight world boxing champions.”

Admiration from the Director of Sport
Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has lauded Dharry following his historic rise to world champion status on Saturday evening, describing the achievement as a testament to perseverance, discipline, and unwavering belief.
“The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has always supported Dharry’s pursuit of a world title, and I am pleased to see him celebrating the realisation of a lifelong journey,” Ninvalle said in a release.
Dharry etched his name into the nation’s sporting history when he defeated Kassim by unanimous decision after a gruelling 12-round contest.
The bout, staged at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, marked a significant milestone as the first male world title fight ever hosted in Guyana – an occasion Ninvalle believes will resonate for years to come.
“This is a proud moment for Guyana and for boxing,” Ninvalle said. “Elton Dharry has shown what determination, resilience, and belief can achieve. He never gave up on his dream, and today he stands as a world champion.”
Reflecting on Dharry’s journey, Ninvalle pointed to the fighter’s earlier setback in 2019, when he challenged Australia’s Andrew Maloney for the WBA Super Flyweight title in Melbourne.

That contest was halted in the eighth round by referee Ferlin Marsh due to a severe cut, with Dharry trailing on the judges’ scorecards and ultimately suffering defeat. According to Ninvalle, that loss proved to be a defining moment in Dharry’s career.
“He made a promise to himself after that fight, that he would return stronger and claim a world title. It took time, patience, and hard work, but he fulfilled that promise,” Ninvalle noted.

Saturday’s clash saw Dharry overcome an uncertain start before asserting control and dominating the latter rounds. The victory improved his professional record to 31-6-1, while Kassim slipped to 11-1-2, suffering the first loss of his career.
Beyond his exploits in the ring, Ninvalle was quick to commend Dharry’s contributions to the sport locally. He highlighted the champion’s commitment to developing boxing in Guyana, particularly his efforts to support emerging professionals and integrate amateur bouts into his locally-promoted cards.
Ninvalle believes Dharry’s success could serve as a catalyst for the sport’s growth, inspiring a new generation of fighters to pursue excellence.