The Guyana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) box-off is set for Sunday under the title “Nuff Cuff” as part of BrisMac Promotions and according to Steve Ninvalle it will be showcase the ‘big guns’.
As Guyana shared the spoils of an outstanding 2016, the GABA president, Ninvalle said it is the hope that they would transfer those performances into this year, especially in this first event which hosts Suriname and St. Maarten who have expressed interest in coming.
Trinidad and Tobago has also expressed a desire to come but unfortunately due to financial struggle, another sport has fall victim.
Nevertheless, there are 15 matches on card with a number of Guyanese on show at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Among those who are expected to be carded come Sunday include, the Caribbean middleweight Champion, Desmond “dynamite” Amsterdam who also went to the Olympic qualifiers, Jason “AK-47” Barker who is the Caribbean super heavyweight champion as well as the Guyana heavyweight champion. Christopher Moore, who won best youth boxer at the Caribbean Youth Development Tournament, held in Barbados is also one to watch.
GABF President Steve Ninvalle30
Also, the GABF boss indicated that there are a number of youth boxers who will be entering the squared-circle as the Federation intends to focus on youth development.
Ninvalle indicated that this is the ideal start to the year as the Federation has a packed year of activities focusing on the youth development programme.
When asked about the predictions of the performance of the local contenders, Ninvalle said “I think we have proven ourselves in the English-speaking Caribbean and looking back at December last year where we won the Caribbean Championships, we sent 11 fighters and won 10 gold and one silver so this is basically warm up for other things to come.”
Following the conclusion of last season’s boxing, many stakeholders, including Minister with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and President of the Guyana Olympic Association, KA Juman Yassin have all pledged their full support to the sport as they eye the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in an effort to secure a medal, bearing in mind that Guyana has only secured a medal at the Olympics in boxing.
Admission to the fights is $1,000 for the VIP section and $500 for general admission. The organisers will place a high premium on punctuality and the first bell will be sounded at 20:00h sharp.
