By Tiadi Blair

Manager of Leon “Hurry Up” Moore Carwyn Holland is calling on the private sector and the government to lend a hand in supporting amateur and professional boxing in Guyana.

He acknowledged that government was making efforts to support local talent but said he would like to see greater drive in this respect.

Moore has won 23 of his 25 fights with 21 knockouts and two defeats.

The holder of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) and NABA bantamweight champion is ranked ninth in the world by the World Boxing Council (WBC) says Holland.

“Moore is the only locally-based boxer to be rated so high in the world organisations and before year end he should be in line for a world title fight,” the boxing promoter said.

He added that he was currently negotiating with a top US promoter and a leading television network to broadcast the first ever internationally televised championship boxing card in Guyana.

Stating that Moore has immense potential, Holland said government and the private sector could use him as a marketing tool for tourism and business.

Holland said he strongly believes this can be achieved as happened in 2004 when Guyana staged a world championship fight that propelled Gwendolyn `Stealth Bomber’ O Neil to become Guyana’s first female world champion.

At that time there was a collaborative effort between government, the private sector, the boxing board and Holland’s promotion group.

“Just imagine if Moore gets into the top three rating and lands a shot at the world title. Guyana stands a great chance of hosting the event and being viewed across the world.

“Businesses will benefit, tourism will benefit because lots of fans will come to Guyana as they did in St. Lucia with their Showtime card, and the government can use such an opportunity to market its international agenda,” Holland said.

“Persons should not wait until Leon Moore becomes a world champion to give him financial and other support. They should do so now because it’s when the boxers don’t have, they need most and not when they become champions and are earning a lot that they are most needy.”

Holland said so far GT&T, Twins Manufacturing, Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Raj Singh’s Insurance Brokers, Mike Altamura of Australia, Golden Boy Promotions of the USA and Allan Tremblay Promotions of Canada are behind Moore.

Holland is urging other sponsors to come on board and push for Guyana to be home to more world champions.