Youths begin Olympic journey in Marabella

The fight card was the launch of the 2017-2020 Olympic programme in conjunction with ACTN (The Voice) Television.

Nyrell Hosien of Biomel Boxing Gym and Tyrone St Clair of Sandcity Boxing Emporium were two young boxers recording victories in their three-round bouts. Light heavyweight St Clair, who is preparing for the Youth Commonwealth Games in Bahamas in July, won by a technical knockout over Hanebal Grimes in round two.

Hosien, who is hoping to compete at the upcoming Caribbean Schoolboy Championships, was also a winner on the night. Hosien defeated his clubmate Blessing Waldrop on points in the flyweight category.

In other bouts, Kevin Persadie (YTC Conquerors) was a winner over Kevin Ramdeo (Cosmic Boxing Gym); Jessie Beckles (Cosmic Boxing Gym) got past Anthony Ravello (YTC Conquerors); Joshua Sylvester (YTC Conquerors) defeated Josiah Hunte (Biommel Boxing Gym).

Also, Mike Inniss (Biomel Boxing Gym) outlasted Joshua Hunte (YTC Conquerors) and Angelique Quevedo (Trumpet Boxing Gym) bettered Kenisha Clarke (Biomel Boxing Gym) in a women’s bout.

The fight card was coordinated by Fitzroy Beckles and sponsored by TT EC, Police Inspector Shawn Harry, Police Sergeant Audie Moona, Army Sergeant Reynold Cox, Michelle Mohammed and ACTN (The Voice) Television.

Cox, vice-president and technical director of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association, said having regular bouts will help the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee achieve its goal of winning 10 or more gold medals by the year 2024. Cox said: “This is part of our way. The Boxing Association initiative is to actually be a part of one of those gold medals by 2024, by having these boxers have regular fights and get them in special training programmes.” Cox is hoping that three national boxers will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Super heavyweight boxer Nigel Paul was TT ’s lone representative at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.