By Calvin Roberts
When Pamela ‘Grenade’ London goes up against Veronica Blackman in their female heavyweight clash on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) boxing card titled ‘Judgement Day’ on Saturday she is going with one major assurance on her side, God.
“Everything is ok with me and my training at the moment and by God’s grace, everything will work out the right way next Saturday,” London told Stabroek Sport.
London, who is the national female heavyweight champion and boasts a 5-3-1 record, last saw action in the ring in 2005 in Trinidad where she knocked out Trinidadian Kim Quashie in the seventh round to win the World International Boxing Council (WIBC) heavyweight title.
“I am always in the gym, so when I was called for this fight I was prepared both mentally and physically so unlike some boxers, I was not caught off guard.”
Quizzed on her opponent’s style of fighting, London said she had no idea of that but was still confident of coming out on top when they clash.
“I have never faced her before so I have no idea of her style and how she fights but as I have stated with God all things are possible so I am confident of coming out the victor and retaining my title when we meet in the ring.”
Even her trainer Brian Barker, who is also in charge of Denny ‘Deadly’ Dalton, was echoing the same confidence in his charge.
“She is in the pink of condition and is ready for this fight. It should have been this Saturday (yesterday) and not the next Saturday so that boxing fans in Guyana could have a look at how ready she is. Nevertheless, they will get that opportunity to see her on 5th July.”
Barker stated that they (both London and Dalton) are currently going through the fine tuning stages of their preparations for their matches and nothing less than victory was expected from them both.
“They are in tip-top condition. All we are doing at the moment is fine-tuning their preparations for Saturday where they will both be victorious.”
Boxing supervisor attached to the WIBC William Boodhoo will be on hand to supervise the clash between London and Blackman and the victor is guaranteed a date with the WIBC International female heavyweight champion Vonda Ward who boasts of a 23-1 record in 24 fights and London is optimistic of being that person.
“I am feeling good and I am eager to meet her. I am not looking past Blackman, but the way I am feeling now, I would relish the opportunity to meet Ward. They can set the fight for the next week after my clash with Blackman and I would be ready to take her on and make Guyana proud by defeating her also,” said London.
Although she was full of so much confidence, Pamela ’Grenade’ London refrained from making any predictions on whether or not the fight will go the distance when she meets Blackman.
