Guyanese official clears Taylor for title fight

CHAIRMAN of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control, Melchoir Taylor, yesterday confirmed he will accept an invitation to officiate in a women’s title fight in Guyana on October 26. Taylor had earlier stated he will not be travelling to The Mudland after controversy stirred around his decision to referee the heavyweight eight-rounder between Guyana’s Gwendy O’Neil and Veronica Simmons of Antigua. It was charged by match-maker Buxo Potts that the promoters of the card had contacted Taylor requesting an official but that Taylor had nominated himself for the US $100 job which also carries travelling expenses and accommodation.

An incensed Taylor yesterday said he was shocked by the accusation claiming he had been personally contacted by Trevor Arneaud of the Guyana Boxing Board and asked to referee the fight. He had faced mounting criticism since Potts felt that other competent officials should have been given the opportunity to take up the offer despite conceding the fact that Taylor was the most appropriate person to officiate in the scrap based on his experience of 11 world title fights. And after participating in a talk show programme on boxing yesterday at i95.5 FM Radio in Port-of-Spain, Taylor demanded that a telephone call be made to Arnead to clear up the issue. Facilitated by i95.5 FM sports commentator and Newsday columnist Andre E Baptiste, the call was made and Arneaud confirmed that Taylor was indeed personally asked to do the fight.

Arnead also said that Molly Boxhill, the Boxing Board secretary and lone female on the board was also invited in her capacity as the Trinidad and Tobago representative of the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA). Following the clarification, Taylor demanded an apology from Potts who graciously obliged in the presence of Boxing Board executive member George Hadeed, Revival Boxing Gym assistant manager Allan Ferguson, a former national ammateur middleweight champion; and promoter/trainer Fitzroy Richards, treasurer of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA). Taylor said he was happy to travel to Guyana for the fight as it would also give him the opportunity to forge links with his mainland counterparts and also to attend an important meeting of the Caribbean Boxing Association following the title bout. He said his decision to accept the invitation to officiate in Guyana was in keeping with his stated intention before accepting the chairmanship of the Boxing Board to continue to judge and referee fights when the opportunity presented itself. Taylor said he saw no conflict of interest nor was in any way hindering the progress or blocking the opportunity of others who may feel they deserve the chance to travel and officiate at the top level. Among those considered capable of doing the fight are Tommy Thomas, McKenzie Granger, George St Aude and Ian Walker.