A strong Venezuelan amateur boxing team is here in Trinidad to officially launch the first World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth and Amateur Programme in the Caribbean and Central America.
At a media launch on Thursday at the Sweet Lime Restaurant in Woodbrook, chairman of the WBC initiative, well-known boxing personality Boxu Potts promised that amateur boxers will now have something to look forward too after years of neglect.
And boxing fans, starved of top class action in the ring will now have a regular calendar of events to keep them entertained.
“The WBC is dedicated to the growth and development of the sport in the region and this project has received the support of its president Mauricio Sulaiman who is based in Mexico City, Mexico,” said Potts.
The former advisor to the local Boxing Board of Control said that the outstanding fighters will graduate into the WBC ranks and will be eligible to participate in the planned Muhammad Ali International Cup.
“This will be the biggest event in youth and amateur boxing in the world and will rival the Olympic boxing competition,” declared Potts.
Tonight’s card at the Daisy Voisin Hub in Siparia is sponsored by the Ministry of Sport, Ma Pau Private Members Club, and the Siparia Regional Corporation.
Main bout will feature professionals Sheldono Lawrence and Nigel “Cow” Edwards over 10 rounds for the WBC Fecarbox light heavyweight (175-lb) crown.
Lawrence who has just one defeat in ten fights will have the Siparia hometown support in his corner while Edwards, with eight wins and one draw, is confident of scoring an upset.p
Potts said the amateurs will be bidding for trophies and medals and an opporrunity to impress with an eye on the opportunities available in the WBC Youth and Amateur Programme.