WBC donates equipment to Salandy’s gym

Based at the newly refurbished Irwin Park in Siparia, Sand City is coached by veteran Felix “Wamba” Voisin and is the former club of Salandy, who died in a tragic car accident in 2009, while holding eight international titles, and has been since named “Eternal Champion” by the WBC.

Current undefeated middleweight Sheldon Lawrence of TT, who is angling for a shot at the regional Cabofe crown, also trains at the club under the guidance of former outstanding national boxer Alexi Alexander. The duo has joined the chorus of voices who have welcomed the contribution made by the WBC to their community.

Making the presentation was the chairman of Central America and the Caribbean chairman of the WBC Amateurs/Youth Pro League, Boxu Potts. He said the equipment was a demonstration of the WBC’s commitment to development and their recognition of Salandy’s iconic achievements.

He said the presentation is timely as plans are afoot to establish Irwin Park as the hub of local boxing since the ultramodern sports facility is ideally suited as it is located in a district that has a passionate love for the sport of boxing.

Potts said that he has held provisional discussions with chairman of the Siparia Regional Corporation Leo Doodnath who has expressed great enthusiasm for the staging of boxing on a regular basis in the heart of the bustling town.

“We have handed the club equipment including a 100-pound punching bag, a speed ball, a body snatcher bag, and a double-end middle ball which will all go a long way to providing the youngsters gear to help them train, which they didn’t have before. They are all of very good quality and will last them for many years to come,” said Potts.

He said that he will soon meet with chairman Doodnath to discuss in detail the setting up of a boxing ring at Irwin Park which will further upgrade the Sand City Boxing Emporium and enhance its capability to hold boxing competitions in their backyard.

“I am very happy with the response from Mr Doodnath. He has pledged to help boxing with the resources at his disposal. I believe we can work with him and his Regional Corporation to get the young people off the streets and provide top class entertainment for the people of Siparia,” said Potts.

Lawrence is being groomed by Potts to earn a world ranking by the WBC in the not-too-distant future and fights out of Caracas, Venezuela where he is so far undefeated in five consecutive bouts.

He will soon return to the neighbouring South American country in an effort to up his record against Jose Cervantes in a six-round encounter on Monday in front of a crowd that has adopted him as one of their own. Potts said the San City initiative is a pilot project which he hopes to expand throughout the country, helping young boxers and equipping gyms with equipment in anticipation of the official launch of the WBC Amateur and Youth League in December.

He is calling on all interested coaches to enlist in this innovative and rewarding programme by registering their boxers on the local WBC database by forwarding their name, age, weight, and fight record to him immediately. Lawrence leaves tomorrow morning for Caracas, Venezula to box with Cervantes.