Mike Parris/Pepsi U16 championships start with a bang

…Atwell elated at return of sport04

The two-year wait being finally over for boxers and their supporters alike, the first boxing tournament since February 2020 was hosted on Saturday at the Andrew ‘Six-Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown.
Although no spectators were allowed, fellow boxers ensured their colleagues were cheered on well as the Mike Parris/Pepsi Under-16 Championships began, following an announcement from the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) earlier this week.
After the first bell rang, Vergenoegen Boxing Gym’s (VBG) Daniel Alleyne got the tournament started with a resounding victory over Jewel Griffith of Young Achievers Boxing Gym.
An all-Young Achievers bout resulted in Ezekiel Bancroft getting the upper hand over Adele Peters, while VBG enjoyed another win when Markel Blue destabilised Curtis McDonald of Berbice Jammers Boxing Gym.
Former boxing powerhouse Clive Atwell, who was present to watch the proceedings, commended the GBA for making efforts to restart the sport.
“I must say it is a brave move and a good move by the Association to seek to return the sport, given the situation we are faced with. The youngsters, they would have been training for a year, two years, for competition, and this now is just a moment of relief for them,” Atwell shared.
Atwell went on to share his expectation of the boxers being rusty, but said he admires their dedication to the sport.
The boxer-turned-coach explained to this publication, “As you can see, most of them are still rusty, but demonstrate the art, which is important; the willingness and the desire to take boxing to the next level from a young age. They have demonstrated their commitment from a young age in order for the sport to continue to reach higher heights here in Guyana.”
Also responding to questions about the readiness of the older age groups, Atwell divulged that every facet of the fraternity is ready to get back into the ring.
“I was just speaking with some of the older guys. ‘Coach, when we going to get some playing?’ So, you know, the older folks are ready, even the professional arena that has been down for some while,” he related.
Atwell went on to add, “The boxers are hungry; the coaches are hungry; and to some degree, corporate Guyana is hungry! Like I said, it’s a good move, slowly bringing back the sport through the guidelines, safety measures, and the protocols. It definitely will be a plus to the spirits and the sport.”
The Mike Parris/Pepsi U16 tournament will see participation from approximately 40 boxers. (Jemima Holmes)