Salandy launches world fight

Salandy is scheduled to fight American Lisa Holewyne on September 15 at Skinner Park, San Fernando for the United World Boxing Association (WBA)/World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight championship.

The ten-rounder already sanctioned by the two top international bodies is being promoted by the Unified Promoters’ Boxing Association of 88 Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.

On Monday, the 19-year-old Salandy of Siparia, who already holds two regional weltwerweight championships, introduced her team preparing her for the fight against Holewyn.

The campaign was launched at her new base at the Biomel Gym in Arima where she is under the supervision of former world rated boxer Alric Johnson (sparring partner), Kim Quashie (manager), Dr Meryl John Simon (doctor/nutritionist) and international match-maker/co-ordinator Boxu Potts.

Yesterday her camp was anxiously awaiting the return of Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes who is reportedly out of the country.

Potts said a proposal to get Government involved in the most important boxing event in the country’s history has been submitted to Minister Boynes. It is understood that the comprehensive proposal has received a favourable response from Director of Sports Paul Newallo, a former outstanding national swimmer.

However the promoters want Minister Boynes to have the last word since the image and prestige of Trinidad and Tobago are at stake.

“Additionally when Salandy won the Ibero-American championship four years ago Government made several promises to her and we see the upcoming fight as an ideal opportunity for them to come on board and show their sincerity,” said a spokesman for the promoters.

He said that it would cost at least $150,000 to successfully stage the fight which is certain to gain international sports headlines and propel Salandy onto the world stage should she win as expected.

Potts has the reputation of staging the biggest women’s card in boxing history two years ago at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo. The former jockey then put on five world championships featuring Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana boxers against American opponents sanctioned by the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA).

Through his international contacts he has been able to get the WBC and WBA, the leading boxing organisations in the world to give Salandy an opportunity to win not one but two world belts at a single shot.

This concept is not lost on 37-year-old Holewyn who is Hawaii-born but fights out of Texas.

She is currently based in New Jersey and is relishing the opportunity to end her career in grand style by defeating Salandy. But the undefeated Trinidad and Tobago fighter regarded by knowledgeable boxing pundits as a natural in the game is intent on making a name for herself by emerging victorious.

On Tuesday Salandy outlined her training regimen in the build-up to the world championship stating that she gets going at 5 o’clock in the morning with a run up the Blanchisseuse Hills.

In the afternoon she resumes training at 4 pm engaging in 17 rigorous drills which helps her in building her muscles, form, agility, acceleration, co-ordination and lateral movement.

After her drills Salandy completes three to four rounds of sparring and intends to get in three hundred rounds of sparring before fight-night.

As part of her training Salandy has also been introduced to Aqua Aerobic Training and dips in the water as often as possible practising this revolutionary method of athletic preparation.

Salandy said she is totally focused on the two most prestigious boxing titles in the world outside of an Olympic gold medal when she faces Holewyn on September 15.

She also expressed her gratitude to several corporate businesses and individuals who have come on board as she chases history. Among them are Hi-Lo Food Stores, the National Lotteries Control Board and Nestor Abraham of Fairchance Racing Pool.