Berbicians aiming for the stars at GBA Developmental Tournament

The National Gymnasium will come alive from 17:00h this Saturday, as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Developmental Tournament responds to the demand for competition, shifting to a bigger, better venue.
The event will feature boxers from gyms across Guyana in what is expected to be another competitive and talent-filled showcase of the sport’s grassroots development.
While the stage is set for another exciting evening of amateur boxing, the Berbice boxing fraternity is preparing to make a strong impression.
The event, which traditionally takes place at boxing gyms across the country, has been shifted to a larger venue due to a significant surge in participation and growing interest among young athletes.
The decision reflects the GBA’s continued effort to accommodate expanding numbers while providing a more suitable platform for competition.
Among the key talking points heading into Saturday’s card is the strong representation from Berbice, where the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy (NABA) and the Rose Hall Jammers Boxing Gym will combine forces to field a total of 12 boxers.
The group includes a mix of youth, junior, and experienced amateur fighters, all eager to test themselves against the country’s best.
Leading the Berbice charge is Caribbean Champion Terron Wintz, who, according to coach Jeff Roberts, will anchor a group that blends promise and experience across several age categories.
“We have some young boxers who are training hard to bring to the tournament,” Roberts said in an invited comment.
He added that while victory remains the objective, the focus has also been on preparation for all possible scenarios inside the ring.
“The aim is to win, of course. But I’ve also prepared them for anything that could go wrong, so it’s a matter of them now executing. We’ve been training on the road and in the gym, so I expect them to do well,” Roberts explained.
Roberts, a former national bantamweight champion and titleholder himself, believes the Developmental Tournament plays a critical role in sustaining the sport’s pipeline of talent across Guyana.
He stressed the importance of consistent performances, particularly from regions like Berbice, which continue to produce competitive fighters.
“It’s a very good tournament, and it’s important that we do well to show the work we’ve been doing in Berbice with these young boxers,” Roberts stated.
He also highlighted the significance of representation at this level, noting that exposure against top gyms from across the country is vital for growth and long-term development.
The Berbice squad, he confirmed, will feature boxers across multiple divisions, including several youth competitors and junior fighters, all of whom have been engaged in intensive preparation.
“Looking good up to this morning,” Roberts added. “We always come to win, but we also understand the level we’re going into, so it’s about discipline and execution.”
The broader tournament continues to reflect the steady growth of amateur boxing in Guyana. According to the GBA, the move to host events at the National Gymnasium is a direct response to increasing participation levels and the rising number of gyms actively involved in the developmental programme.
GBA President Steve Ninvalle has previously pointed to this expansion as evidence of the sport’s positive trajectory at the grassroots level.
“What we are witnessing is the steady and encouraging growth of amateur boxing in Guyana. The level of interest from our young boxers, as well as the commitment from gyms across the country, shows that the future of the sport looks good,” Ninvalle said.
Recent editions of the Developmental Tournament have seen strong performances from gyms such as Pace and Power Boxing Gym, Harpy Eagle Boxing Gym, Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG), and the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy, further reinforcing the competitive balance across the country.