Jackman, James impress at TT National Boxing Championships

Guyanese boxers Abiola Jackman and Shakquain James thrilled the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago last weekend with the stellar performance they each recorded during the Trinidad and Tobago National Boxing Championships, held at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville.
The event attracted top fighters from across the region, and was part of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association’s roadmap to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle has expressed immense pride in the performances of these two boxers, who were handpicked to represent Guyana at the competition. Both fighters, Ninvalle said, had seized the opportunity to showcase their talent and further establish themselves as regional contenders.
Competing in the elite division for the first time, young welterweight Shakquain James transitioned seamlessly from his standout youth boxing career by displaying maturity and skill in the ring to overpower Trinidadian opponent Nervin Boy, who failed to come out for the second round. James’s sharp technique, speed and composure, which were on full display, left spectators and officials impressed with his development.
And in a closely contested bout, Jackman continued her impressive run in the heavyweight division by edging out Amanda George in a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Her relentless drive and strategic execution earned her the win and cemented her reputation as one of the region’s top female heavyweights.
Lauding the pair’s efforts, Ninvalle has highlighted the significance of such regional exposure for Guyanese boxers.
“Both Shakquain and Abiola have done us proud. Their performances underscore the talent we have in Guyana and the importance of exposing our fighters to high-level competition,” Ninvalle said.
Further, he noted that the GBA remains committed to providing more opportunities for its athletes to compete on regional and international stages.
While celebrating the achievements of James and Jackman, Ninvalle has also highlighted the GBA’s efforts to develop the next generation of boxing talent.
The association is gearing up for the first installment of the 2025 Pepsi/Michael Paris National U16 Championships, set to take place at the Andrew ‘Six-Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown.
Reflecting on the success of last year’s initiative, Ninvalle remarked, “In 2024, we hosted 16 U16 tournaments, all sponsored by Pepsi. These tournaments were instrumental in fostering young talent and keeping the sport alive at the grassroots level. And this year we’re looking to host even more.”
Ninvalle reiterated that 2025 promises to be an even busier year for the GBA, with ambitious plans to solidify Guyana as the breeding ground for the Caribbean’s best boxing talent.