Local boxing promotion NexGen Global Inc. is looking to bridge a gap between Guyana and boxing powerhouse Cuba, with hopes of starting a major developmental programme in the near future.
Promoter and NexGen CEO Aleem Hussain on Friday said that the idea was already presented to the local governing body, the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), who were excited over the prospects of further revamping the sport locally.
Just recently NexGen Inc teamed up with the Guyana Boxing Board for the successful hosting of ‘Sangre Malo’ at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in Georgetown
The entire move is based around both countries expanding their quality of fighters who can train and earn a living in Guyana which will be centralized as a boxing hub for South America. Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, has a deep history of boxing stemming back from the early 1900’s.
Back in 1962, professional boxing in Cuba was banned by then, late President Fidel Castro but amateur boxing continued to reign supreme in the country. Hussain now sees Guyana role as a Launchpad to help Cuban and Guyanese fighters bring out the best in each other while being centralized in Guyana will help to make their appearances on the international scene much easier.
“Instead of boxers going to Miami to turn professionals out of Cuba where boxing is not allowed, boxers will now come to Guyana and it will be there new place to come and fight 8 to 10 fights, move up the ranks and build a record so they can go onto to get title shots and more exposure,” Hussain explained.
Hussain continued, “It will give Cuba and Guyana better relationships because we can incorporate top quality boxers from cub into the Guyanese market and help us up our game, because some of the best trainers and fighters do come out of Cuba.”
With NexGen and the GBBC recently reviving the sport with last month’s “Sangre Malo” Card, a card billed between Guyana and Venezuela, Hussain was optimistic that should the move be successful, Guyana’s boxing atmosphere will most certainly change for the best.
“By bringing them (Cubans) into the Guyanese market, it would give boxing fans something that they can appreciate, some of the top champs have come from Cuba and if u Google the current champs now there’s a number of them on top of the boxing world.”
“So that’s the kind of talent that comes out of Cuba and they will be fighting out of Guyana and the GBBC is excited about it, so we’re going to be moving aggressively to make it happen soon,” he ended.
