Keevin Allicock recorded a first round technical knockout (TKO) of Guyana Defence Force (GDF)’s Clinton Clarke in their featherweight encounter, when the Terrence Ali National Open Boxing Championship commenced last evening at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, following a two year absence.
Representing the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) in the Elite section, Olympian Allicock was in vintage form and sent a stern warning to the remainder of the field with a clinical performance, as he dismantled his opponent in less than two minutes.
Continuing in the Elite Zone, Seon Griffith of Forgotten Youth Foundation FYF defeated Daniel Griffith of the GDF in their bantamweight clash, whilst Julius Kesney of GDF registered a TKO victory over stable-mate Lincoln Murray in the aforesaid division.
In the Featherweight section, Samuel Greene of Suriname defeated Andrey Bess of RHJ. In the lone welterweight fixture, Mark Crawford of FYF made light work of Andrew Griffith of GDF. In the Super Heavyweight division, Aubrey Headley and Troy Glasgow of GDF defeated Tulsie Persaud and Prince Warner of the Guyana Police Force respectively.
In the school boy section, Roopesh Balgobin of Rose Hall Jammers (RHJ) defeated Rondel Croft of Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) via decision, whilst Jolem Jones brushed aside Johnny Olejondro via unanimous decision.
On the other hand, Simeon Jones of VBG bested Cleon Collision of RHJ, while Curtis McDonald of RHJ, and Shaquon Marshall of VBG defeated Jaden Lewis and Shamario Isaacs of FYF respectively.
The local governing authority, in a move to further incentivize and develop the discipline, will financially compensate the top three finishers (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) within each weight class of the Elite Division, which is the crème de crème of the local amateur circuit.
This significant pronouncement follows in the footsteps of the International Boxing Association (IBA) increasing their prize pool by a mammoth 50% for the 2023 World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1 to 14. Due to this decision, Guyana became the first nation to compensate its Elite amateur pugilists in the English-speaking Caribbean. The event continues today at the same venue with another round of matches.
