US amateur boxers coming to test TT

Cecil Forde, the vice-president of the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) said they are awaiting assistance from the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SCOTT) to fund another camp over one week which will also serve to beef-up the team’s preparation.

Approximately 15 boxers will go into three-day camp at the Cosmic Boxing Gym, Marabella today sponsored by the Amateur Boxing Association.

Forde pointed out that after a series of good performances at the recent Pan American Championship in Brazil, it was felt that the boxers should again be confined to a one-week camp scheduled for November 30 to December 5 where their skills can be enhanced.

He said the three-day session will conclude with a box-off which will also serve as preparation for the championship.

The amateur boxing boss also revealed that a ten-man boxing contingent from Florida in United States, will be here in Trinidad for two cards next month.

Forde said the local boxers will also be challenged by a number of fighters from the Caribbean.

He said featured on the card will be two boxers from Grenada, two from St Lucia and another pair from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).

The cards will be billed as a battle between the United States and the Caribbean which will be staged at the Jean Pierre Complex on December 2, Mucurapo and at Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre a day later, on December 3. According to Forde, the fights will be contested in ten out of the 11 different weight divisions in boxing.

He said the ten boxers on the US contingent will compete in as many different divisions as they can. Forde said the names of the boxers will be revealed as time draws closer to the events.

In the meantime however, arrangements have been made for the boxers to stay at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre Hotel.

On September 23, Trinidad and Tobago got the better of a clash with the United States in a women’s showdown at Mucurapo. That card was put on by boxing promoter and match maker Buxo Potts.

Forde said the upcoming amateur cards will be staged to assist the selection of the national team ahead of the CAC Boxing Championship from December 9 to 12 in Guatemala.