The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) season will continue this weekend when the fistic sport returns to the East Ruimveldt Community Centre (California Square) for the staging of the National Open Championships.
“It’s the main competition of the year and it guarantees the national champions one year bragging rights,” said GBA’s Technical Director Terrence Poole yesterday.
Speaking at the press briefing at the Ministry of Sport, Poole added that “We will be having 10 divisions in the Elite category where the boxers will be fighting without headgear, so we can expect some fireworks. All the gyms are ready and raring to go, so see you there.”
The gyms that have confirmed their participation include Harpy Eagles, Forgotten Youth Foundation,
Young Achievers, Carryl’s, Essequibo, Republican, Rose Hall Town Jammers, the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force.
The categories to be contested are Junior Flyweight (46-49kg), Flyweight (49-52kg), Bantamweight (52-56kg), Lightweight (56-60kg), Junior Welterweight (60-64kg), Welterweight (64-69kg), Middleweight (69-75kg), Light Heavyweight (76-81kg), Heavyweight (81-91kg) and Super Heavyweight (91+kg).
One of the major drawing cards of the BK International, Mike’s Pharmacy, Courts and the Sport Ministry-sponsored event will be the 6’4’, 255-pound US based Quincy ‘Biggie’ Small. Small, the younger brother of Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite is by no means name and nature and will be competing in the super heavyweight division.
Small revealed that he is looking forward to putting on a show in front of the expectedly large turnout during the three-night championships which boxes off tomorrow.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m also looking to give the people a good show,” he stated.
Admission is $400 for adults and $200 for children under 12 years. Bell time 19:00 hours each evening.
