Licence no problem for Salandy

SCHOOLGIRL boxer Giselle Salandy has been assured of a professional licence to fight in Trinidad and Tobago once she attains the age of 17 years. Clearing this legal hurdle will pave the way for her to make the first defence of the Ibero-Latin American weltwerweight championship on Friday, January 30 at the Central Indoor Sports Centre in Chaguanas. Yesterday, Melchoir Taylor, chairman of the Boxing Board of Control said that there is no problem with Salandy being issued with a licence on January 24 when she will celebrate her 17th birthday. “I will be only happy to present to her the documents allowing her to fight in the local ring. The only problem we had with her is her age as we were constrained by the requirements of the Boxing Board Act to give her a licence any sooner,” said Taylor yesterday. “We think she has a bright future and wish her all the best in the future,” said Taylor, an international referee and judge who has officiated in several world title fights.

Salandy is slated to defend the title she won more than a year ago in Curacao against Paola Rojas of Colombia over eight rounds. The achievement of winning an international title sanctioned by the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) was clouded in controversy when she returned home since she was not a holder of a TT boxing licence, being just shy of her 16th birthday. There were also charges that the Siparia teenager was being exploited by her handlers and that they were guilty of running afoul of the international child labour laws. Promoter of the January 30 card, Cecil Forde said yesterday he is confident that Salandy will be in top shape for the rematch with Rojas despite not having a competitive fight in over a year. Forde, who has a contract to promote Salandy for two years, said she has not been inactive since winning the regional crown.
“It is important for her to defend the title and win. This will open up more opportunities for her leading up to a world title fight later on in the year,” said Forde.

Salandy has lost only once in 13 professional contests to date. Also listed to fight on the January 30 card is Ria Ramnarine, who has won six of her eight fights in the flyweight category. The Carapichaima tigress is tentatively booked to oppose Colombian Johess Gonzales over eight rounds. However Forde said yesterday he understands that Ramnarine has injured her hand and that it may require surgery which could rule her out of the match. Forde has also lined up national welterweight championship Floyd Trumpet against Benjamin Modeste of Barbados over 12 rounds. The contest is billed as a Caribbean Championship and is looked upon as a launching pad for Trumpet to make a claim for a shot at the Commonwealth crown. He has won 14 of his 17 fights and is known as the “Fighting Postman.” In two six-rounders John Monroy (175lbs) comes up against Selwyn Guy (175 lbs); and Kelvin George fights Waldron Brooks. Forde said yesterday he hopes to entice Jimmy “Farmer” Joseph back into the ring and is currently looking for an opponent with the possibility of putting him on the card.