Veteran Guyanese boxer Al Thomas laid to rest

Former national light-heavyweight boxing champion Alsyd “Al” Thomas was laid to rest on Saturday following a funeral service attended by relatives, friends, former students, and members of the boxing fraternity.
Thomas passed away on October 10, 2025, at the New Amsterdam Hospital at the age of 81.
Born Alsyd Wills but known in the boxing fraternity as Al Thomas, he carved out a lasting legacy during the late 1960s and 1970s – a period considered one of the defining eras of local boxing.
Though many of his professional records were never formally archived, Thomas was widely recognised as a disciplined and dangerous light-heavyweight who rose to become Guyana’s national champion.
His most celebrated moment came in 1978 when he famously sparred with the legendary Muhammad Ali at the Albion Sports Complex during Ali’s visit to Guyana.

After retiring from active competition in 1979, Thomas dedicated his life to coaching and youth mentorship. For decades he served as a senior instructor at the Tiger Eye Boxing Gym in Canje, where he shaped countless young fighters – many of whom credit him for teaching them not only boxing technique but also the values of discipline, respect, and perseverance.
At Saturday’s service, emotional tributes highlighted his gentle nature, his commitment to youth development, and his quiet but powerful influence on Berbice’s sporting landscape. One former trainee described him as “a man who saw potential in every youth who walked into his gym.”
Thomas was interred at the Bermine Cemetery, closing the final chapter on a life defined by service to sport and community. He is survived by his family, former students, and a grateful boxing community that continues to honour his legacy.