Boxing Board three months overdue

THE MINISTRY of Sport and Youth Affairs has been harshly criticised and accused of grinding local boxing into the dust.

The scathing comments were made yesterday by top international match-maker Buxo Potts, who once again reiterated his call for the naming of a Boxing Board which is more than three months overdue. “As a promoter, I am becoming frustrated. And I can speak for the boxers also who have been deprived of an honest day’s work in the ring since last November,” said an angry Potts yesterday. He accused Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes of pussy-footing with the naming of a new Boxing Board of Control to administer the sport.

The three-year term of office of the last board, headed by interim chairman Dr Calvin Inalsingh ended last December, and although Minister Boynes has repeatedly promised to announce new officials, no such development has taken place. “The lackadaisical attitude towards the sport is hurting everyone concerned. It is always a concern for us when all other sports are treated differently from boxing,” said Potts. The former jockey said plans have already been drawn up with Cecil Forde of Richford  Promotions and Chaguanas-based Bharath Ramoutar to stage several professional cards, but they have been stymied by the absence of a functioning Boxing Board. “We have promising welterweight Floyd Trumpet who needs a warm-up before a title fight as well as young female boxer Ria Ramnarine who also needs to work her way up to a championship contest but can’t because of the problem,” said Potts.

He also said Anthony Sinclair is thinking about migrating to England, while Kevin Placide may throw in the towel on a budding career because of the lack of opportunities in the local ring occasioned by the non-appointment of a new board. Potts said the minister must immediately name a new board comprised of persons who can contribute meaningfully to the sport and who have the sweet science at heart. He cautioned Boynes about self-seekers and political appointees whom he said will contribute to the problems of the sport and not produce positive results. “Boxing has brought so much fame and glory to this country. Yet we have to be begging for everything. It is a great shame that this has to happen,” said Potts.

He said a reflection of the sorry state which the absence of a board has plunged the sport into is reflected in the programme of the upcoming visit Knock Out Games which is organised by the World Boxing Association. “Imagine Dr Gilbert Mendoza, head of the WBA is coming for the games and there will be no boxing card on show. This is just ridiculous,” said Potts. He questioned the benefits of this country’s affiliation with the WBA and called for an audit of the funds and contributions made by the WBA for promotions and events in Trinidad and Tobago. “There is a lot that is wrong in the sport that needs fixing. The start is with a competent Boxing Board which the ministry seems not to be in a hurry to deal with. But the time is now or never,” said Potts. Efforts to contact ministry officials for a response yesterday proved futile.