Women, the future of boxing

MUCH NEEDS to be done to get the standard of local professional boxing where it should be. This is the opinion of international match-maker Buxo Potts following a pro-am card two weeks ago at the Chaguanas Indoor Sports Facility at Saith Park.

The card was staged by Cosmic Promotions of Marabella and Chaguanas-based Fine Line Kickboxing Gym. It was the first professional presentation in the local ring for over a year. Potts said yesterday that he sees the future of boxing in the potential of the female fighters as evidenced in the bout between world ranked featherweight Ria Ramnarine and 19-year-old Vicki Boodram. Ramnarine, a 24-year-old plant operator of Carapichaima pounded out a six-round decision against Boodram who was making her debut in the professional ranks. She is preparing for a rematch with Guyanese Shondelle Alfred on August 29 and looked in top shape against a game Boodram, who is trained by her father. However Potts came away more impressed with Boodram and predicted a bright future ahead once she receives the benefit of sound training techniques and is groomed properly to afford her the best opportunities to gain experience. “Boodram is articulate, well spoken and educated. She is in peak physical condition and will pose serious challenges to opponents in the future once she stays on course with her training programme,” said Potts. He hinted that Boodram could feature in a big presentation planned for next month when the leading local female fighters are expected to be brought together on a world championship card.

Potts said Trinidad and Tobago welterweight champion Floyd Trumpet, though stopping his stand-in opponent Shurwyne Marshall in the fifth round of their eight-round encounter needs to sharpen his skills. “He was definitely rusty after a long period of inactivity.  So he must do better in future bouts. Trumpet should win decisively and not make heavy weather as he did against the Barbadian,” said Potts yesterday. He pointed out that Trumpet, a Cunupia, Central Trinidad postie must concentrate on his footwork and jabbing and not get enmeshed in a brawl to beat his opponent. Potts, a former jockey, said the star of the night in his opinion was Guyanese “bulldozer” Leon Moore who pounded out an eighth round knockout against his Trinidadian opponent, Jesse Osbourne. It was the eighth knockout in as many fights for Moore who Potts said will soon win a world title fight after he progresses through the ranks of North American Boxing Association (NABA) and FedaLatin regional championships. “He has won five of his bouts in the first round; two in the second and one in the fifth to prove what a devastating boxer he is,” said Potts. The match-maker said he has at least four opponents lined up for Moore including Craig Storm, Percy Bailey, Joseph Charles and Ulric Johnson. “They are all worthy opponents to give Moore the preparation he needs to tackle the best in the division,” said Potts. An entertaining feature of the night was a kickboxing match which quickly descended into a pushing and shoving match. When one fighter took the microphone and issued a challenge to his oponent the bout heated up and produced a classic grappling contest which was well received by the fans until the referee intervened. Potts said as the cards become more regular the fighters will be better prepared to give an improved account of themselves. The action continues on Saturday with a card promoted by Phoenix Kickboxing Gym and Cosmic Promotions at Barrackpore Senior Comprehensive from 7 pm.

Kickboxing -
Nick Boodram (Pheonix) vs Balraj Harry (Zion Club) - 135 pounds.
Richard Boodram (Phoenix) vs Richi Ramnarine (Al Kilarie) - 132 pounds.
Bradley Samdeo (Kalahari) vs Shazam Khan (Al Kilarie) - 140 pounds.
David Bopraj (Phoenix) vs Fazal Ali (Panthers) - 120 pounds.
Amateur boxing -
Crystal Lessey (Phoenix) vs Adafie Hall (White Eagle) - 152 pounds.
Leanna Boodram (Phoenix) vs Macelina Logie (Sand City) - 109 pounds.
Kessie Lessey (Phoenix) vs Avalon Ollivierre (Sand City) - 115 pounds.
Manhau Noray (YTC) vs Joseph Straker (Sand City) - 154 pounds.