National Coach Lennox Daniels eyes emerging talent at Andrew Lewis Novices

National Boxing Coach Lennox Daniels is eagerly anticipating this weekend’s staging of the Andrew Lewis Novices Championship, describing the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) event as the premier scouting ground for unearthing the country’s next generation of amateur boxing stars.
Daniels will be ringside at the National Gymnasium from July 25 to 27, keeping a keen eye out for the next Keevin Allicock, Desmond Amsterdam or Abiola Jackman, three of Guyana’s most decorated amateur pugilists in recent years.
“This is where we’ll identify the raw talent that we need to develop and invest in,” Daniels said. “We already have a solid core of boxers, but the Novices Championship is our nursery; this is where we begin grooming future champions.”
Daniels noted that amateur boxing in Guyana is experiencing a resurgence, fuelled by increased opportunities for young fighters to compete at the regional and international levels.
He pointed to the upcoming Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Boxing Championship, scheduled for August 1–3 in St Lucia, where several young Guyanese fighters will be tested on foreign soil.
“I’m really excited about what this weekend holds. We’ll get to see talent from all across the country step into the ring. This is one of the most crucial events on the GBA calendar because it’s where we first see the boxers who have the potential to rise through the ranks,” Daniels noted.
When asked about the return of the Republican Gym (Guyana Prison Service) to competition,
Daniels responded cautiously, “We’ll see. I know they’ve been putting in some work behind the scenes. It’s always good to have Republican Gym involved; they’ve been an integral part of the sport, but right now, our focus is on identifying and nurturing the young fighters who can impact the national programme in the long run.”
At last year’s edition, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym reaffirmed their dominance, capturing the Best Overall Gym title. Daniels commended their preparation and welcomed the challenge they bring to the ring.
Notable performances in 2024 included Jagwan Milo, who was crowned Best Novice Boxer; Ryan Rogers of Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym, named Best Schoolboy Boxer; and rising female standout Kenisha Plass, who walked away with the Best Female Boxer award.