Latest update December 8th, 2024 2:58 AM
Oct 09, 2015 Sports
Boxers step up activities as fight night draws near
By Michael Benjamin
Saturday October 24 is merely three weeks away and the boxers are heightening preparations
for the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC)/Giftland Office Max Nex Generation Boxing Card slated for the Giftland Office Max Mall, Liliendaal ECD, with the winner carting off the prestigious Fecarbox jnr/welterweight title.
The main bout between local lightweight champion, Dexter Gonsalves and his world rating counterpart, Clive Atwell may be the highly anticipated grudge match but it seems as though most of the pugilists comprising the supporting bouts are anxious to steal the spotlight.
Atwell is honing his skills at the world renowned Gleasons Gym, Front Street Brooklyn NY, under the tutelage of Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore and Dillon Carew while Gonsalves is whipping himself into shape under the guidance of Sebert Blake and Joseph Murray.
Pundits are still divided over the winner of the main bout but even as the debate rages and irrespective of who is regarded as the favourite, one thing is for certain, the Gonsalves/Atwell twelve rounds affair is set to leave an indelible mark in local boxing history and fans are eagerly awaiting the first bell.
But while there is much hype and expectations for an action packed main bout, fans have been assured that the preliminary and the main supporting bouts would be just as delectable. Kaieteur Sport has been following the activities of the principals of the supporting bouts and visited the Andrew Lewis, and the Harpy Eagles’ Boxing Gyms Wednesday afternoon.
Imran Khan and Terrence Adams were working out at the latter institution and from all indications, both pugilists mean business. Khan engages David Thomas over 4 rounds while Adams battles Keeve Allicock in a 4 rounds jnr/lightweight contest.
Neither engaged in sparring sessions yesterday afternoon, opting instead to concentrate on power work on the heavy punching bag. Their coach, James ‘Sack’ Walcott, assured that they have been getting a lot of sessions in the ring.
”Sparring has not been a major problem since there are a lot of willing boxers at the gym; additionally, both fighters support each other,” explained Walcott when quizzed on the availability of sparring partners for his charges.
Coach Walcott further explained that he is placing a high premium on the fitness level of his charges since he wants them to win their respective bouts as convincingly as possible. At that time, Adams was pounding away on the heavy bag while Khan was perfecting his moves and strategies in the ring with several rounds of fiery shadowboxing.
After closing off sessions later in the afternoon, Khan said that he and Adams usually engage in roadwork from 04:30hrs on weekdays for about two hours over a three miles distance. He said that they utilize the East Bank thoroughfare as the traffic is not so heavy during the early morning hours. Khan also said that both he and his colleague are fully cognizant of the importance of winning their respective bouts and are working assiduously to attain top fitness.
Khan had demonstrated the propensities of a seasoned boxer when he had appeared for the press conference early last month. It was he that had brazenly walked over to Thomas, thrust his face in close proximity of his opponent’s and issued vile threats of his intentions. Not to be outdone, Thomas had stood his ground while mouthing off his plans to destroy his nemesis.
Adams opposes Keeve Allicock and he was also at work at the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (ALBG) under the directive of Walcott who opted for heavy bag and pads work. As such, this writer could not assess the finer aspect of his repertoire. Notwithstanding, he attacked bag with gusto and seems to be rounding off nicely. He said that he is ready for whatever his opponent brings to the ring.
Thomas is not the talkative type but Khan’s theatrics had caused him to boil and he is planning to spring a few surprises on fight night. He operates out of the Forgotten Youth Foundation. Quincy Gomes will fight Anson Greene in a 6 rounds welterweight affair and the former boxer hammered away at the heavy punching bag yesterday afternoon at the ALBG while his coach, Oprecht watched.
Indeed, Gomes looks sharp and appears ready for combat. He cannot afford to take Greene for granted as it was he (Greene) that had upset Dereck Richmond early in his career. Also on fight night, Stephon Gouveia will rumble with Keeve Allicock in a 4 rounds featherweight contest moments after the amateur boxers would have bared fists.
In this segment, popular Republican warrior, Nankumar Singh, will bare fists with Kellon King in a lightweight bout while Orin Bancroft tackles Travis Hubbard in the lightweight (youth) category. Glenroy Smith (EBG) will then square off with Republican Clifton Graham while Tefon Greene (GDF) will bring the curtains down on the amateur segment when he opposes Republican, Dexter Wray.
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