By Marlon Munroe
Corinne Van Ryck De Groot promises to knockout Guyana’s world bantamweight champion Shondel ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred when they clash in their rematch on May 22 at the Princess Hotel.
In a telephone interview yesterday with ‘Sexy Panther’ De Groot, who resides in Canada, she issued a stern warning for Alfred to be fully prepared for what is about to come her way.
De Groot, whose only blemish in her 12-fight career came at the hands of Alfred last September when the two fought for the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight title, warned that nothing will be left to the ringside judges to decide because there will be no question about who the winner will be.
“I hope that she is well prepared and that she is training hard for this fight. I will knock your girl out this time. Nothing will be left up the judges this time around,” De Groot maintained.
De Groot’s camp had protested the judges’ decision of awarding Alfred a unanimous decision claiming that Alfred was sent to the canvas four times and at least twice she was legitimately knocked down although referee Eion Jardine ruled that they were slips. Alfred had retorted by saying that all De Groot had were excuses.
What ensued was a boxing drama that ended with an unprecedented purse bid in Guyana after WIBA President Ryan Wissow ordered that the two have a rematch in 120 days of Alfred winning the fight.
However, this time around De Groot stated that losing will not be an option for her and if there should be a win she is prepared to fight a third time “wherever and whenever.”
She reassured Stabroek Sport that the result last time did not diminish her will to win but rather strengthened her resolve to return to Guyana and produce an “inspirational and convincing” victory over Alfred.
Meanwhile, Stabroek Sport was told that her training has been going “fabulous” and she is prepared for anything that Alfred may have in her repertoire. She said that her routine has been structured from the inception and she has been in training for quite some time.
She revealed that her training starts at 05:00 hours in the morning with her regular roadwork for one hour after which her speed and agility coach John Lewis takes her for the next two hours. Later on her regular coach Eric Williams takes over.
De Groot told this publication that no stones have been left unturned during her preparation for the world title rematch and Guyanese can expect a good show. She reflected that last year there were some problems before the title fight but there will be no such recurrence this time.
She pointed out that she will be in Guyana on May 18 or 19 so that she can acclimatize herself for her assignment on fight night. And she also issued her final warning that “Alfred will not be the holder of that title at the conclusion of the fight.”
