Manswell in Boxing Day fiesta at W’brook

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s most successful amateur boxer Kertson Manswell will be inaction, appropriately on Boxing Night (December 26) on a pro-am card at the Woodbrook Facility in Port-of-Spain from 7 pm. His opponent will be Francisco Garcia of the Dominican Republic, the heavyweight on the three-man team from Santo Domingo expected here tomorrow.

According to Cecil Forde, secretary of the Amateur Boxing Association, the foreigners are scheduled to arrive in Trinidad on Christmas Eve and will leave on Saturday. The others are Mariani Betelmit who will engage Kirt Sinnette; while Angel Recio will fight Aaron Hassette. “They will spend Christmas in Trinidad and we hope to give them a taste of our hospitality,” said Forde. The Dominicans were originally expected here last weekend but the unavailablity of flights had forced them to push back their appearance. Forde said there will also be three other professional scraps with Princes Town female boxer Vicki Boodram slated to meet Adana Francis of White Eagle Gym in Siparia.

Lightweight Kelvin George, who has one fight under his belt comes up against Miguel Agard who is making his debut. “I am currently arranging the third pro fight. There will also be eight amateur fights,” said Forde, Last week Forde returned from Guadeloupe where he took three fighters, including two females for a sports festival. Forde said all three fighters lost their respective contests but he was very unhappy with the standard of officiating. Bryan Vincent lost to Jean Baie Mahault over three rounds in the 156 lb class; Jamila Jones went under to Serdiane Bavile over three rounds in the 126 lb division; and Donaline Jones was beaten by Mari Laure Lastrel over three rounds in the 134 lb class. “I protested, especially about the faulty time keeping but to no avail. I have been to Guadeloupe three times but will not return until I get the assurance things will be better,” said Forde.