Salandy sets up Arima camp

The 19-year-old chases boxing history on September 15 when she meets Lisa Holewyne of the United States for the unified World Boxing Association/World Boxing Council super welterweight crowns. The ten-rounder is scheduled for Skinner Park in San Fernando.

Yesterday Boxu Potts, co-ordinator of the championship contest said that Salandy has already started her training under former world rated boxer Ulric Johnson.

“She has begun her preparations doing road work and sparring. Every effort will be made to get her into the best shape. Salandy will have the best people around her to ensure that she is victorious,” said Potts yesterday. And word coming out of the US is that the Hawaii-born Holewyne, who has been fighting out of Texas has moved to New Jersey. “Holewyne has also started her training for the bout which she is taking very seriously. She said that the opportunity to fight for the two biggest boxing titles in the world may never come her way again and she is determined to win them,” said Potts. The 37-year-old is regarded as one of the most experienced campaigners in women’s boxing having fought several world champions in recent times.

Salandy is the holder of the Ibero-American welterweight crown and the North American Boxing Conference light welterweight championship.

She is undefeated in 12 bouts with four knock-outs while Holewyne has 11 victories in 14 fights. Potts yesterday reiterated his call for the business community to get involved in the project to make the championship fight a success.

“This promotion has the potential to make international headlines once again for Trinidad and Tobago following on the heels of the Soca Warriors’ exploits in Germany at the World Cup finals,” said Potts yesterday. “We are hoping that the corporate sector will do their part and get involved through sponsorship before Salandy makes history and not wait until after to get on the bandwagon,” he said. Potts said a proposal has already been submitted to the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and he is optimistic that Minister Roger Boynes will respond favourably.

“I am confident that the minister will continue to support the young athletes in their quest to achieve world status and realise their true potential,” Potts said.

The internationally recognised match-maker said that Salandy is being prepared for a showdown with Laila Ali, the daughter of the legendary former heavyweight champion of the world Muhammad Ali.

“I think that when Salandy wins the unified title on September 15 she will be well positioned to make title defences of her choosing and in the new year will be ready for Laila,” said Potts. He said that the Ali-Salandy contest will be one of the biggest ever staged in the history of women’s boxing and will take the sport in Trinidad and Tobago to another level.

In the meantime Salandy is confident that she can skirt the first hurdle to making world boxing history on September 15 by getting into the best shape for Holewyne.

Potts said yesterday that he is currently in discussions with former World Boxing Association lightweight champion Claude Noel to help Salandy prepare for the bout.

“I think that Claude can assist is making her a better puncher.

We are to meet and he should be able to come on board for the next six weeks to be in her corner,” said Potts.