Boxing our way out
Frankly Speaking...
By A.A Fenty
Stabroek News
November 15, 2002
Or should I have captioned it “Fighting for our future”?
Determined to restrain myself from the crime/politics lead this week, I venture into a subject in which I’m somewhat out of my depth. My knowledge is peripheral. Never mind I went to Bourda Roman Catholic School; was among boxers with teacher “Tolo” Vancooten, then when I became a teacher myself on the West Bank of the Demerara, I taught some Goed Fortuin boys who themselves became worthy, long-lasting boxing champions - especially in the amateurs. (See? I know boxing - or boxers.)
So you decide now if you’ll bear with me sharing my random remarks.
Firstly, if you are a fan of the Friday/ Saturday “Guyana Cook-Up” Television show I host you’ll be acutely aware of the dream I’ve promoted for months: That Guyana could have gotten three world boxing champions at one time. `Sixhead’, Braithwaite, Harris. Then we must not rule out Eastman, Purlette and St. Clair. Our blighted years - which seem to perpetuate themselves - saw to it that we were denied World Champs whilst islands like Trinidad and Jamaica boasted champs long ago. Of course, we still don’t have a proper cycling track, swimming-pool. Or sports stadium! Imagine!
Secondly, how could we, how do we exploit the recognition afforded Guyana by the triumphs of three patriotic boxers? We speak glibly of “Sports Tourism”, but it is my view that Guyana has never fully readied itself for any type of tourism. But more on that some other time. One timid but provocative suggestion I make: Let some Sports Ministry official or Boxing Board Executive join the American promoters before a fight to explore ways of promoting Guyana’s image and products. Practical?
Thirdly, it would be a wee bit unethical for me to reveal, at this time, some of the insights into the “politics” of American promoters and boxing, given to me by Herman Harris, Father of our World Junior Welterweight/Super Lightweight Champ. But I caught an interesting media briefing on related subjects this past Tuesday morning. Some points to ponder: Vivian Harris is of more serious disposition than “Big Truck” but their management and training teams - now accomplished Guyanese boxing experts - are both now savvy. Braithwaite will polish up his act hopefully bettering his performance against Cantatore.
From my layman’s view in Georgetown, I think Vivian Harris’ link up with the American Shelly Finkel will have to be managed expertly. He may get the key fights. But...
Those keen boxing fans who follow the sport closely will realise that American Boxing Associations are now “creating” certain new “Super-categories” to influence promoters to stage more money fights. Do “ordinary” fans realise that Vivian picked up the WBA super-lightweight title. Kostya Tszyu is considered the king of the 140 lb division but “because Tszyu had unified the titles (before) the WBA declared him a “super champion” and vacated the mere “world” title. For the WBA it was a chance to collect extra sanction fees. For Vivian Harris, the shiny belt was a welcome reward for an awesome victory...”
That’s just a peek into the smart flexible world of American “World” Boxing. But nothing diminishes the fact that Guyana breeds and boasts world champions.
My fourth and final point has to do with our own nurturing of potential champs - from amateurs to overseas professionals. Colin Morgan sounds serious and studied as a manager-trainer amongst the Americans. Back home we should rekindle amateur boxing by bringing together all trainers/coaches/gym owners. The Ministry and Amateur Association should have coaches prove their intentions, provide real assistance for gyms and establish some small ones in new areas. Like the Cubans would!
As a case in point: Whenever the humble, proud, accomplished British champ Howard Eastman is quietly in Guyana at Canje, Berbice, he should be offered a certain minimum assistance by the board and the Sports Ministry. Transportation? Housing? Over to you Minister and P.S. Even if he decides to fight “for Britain”. These Boxers can help us box our way out of the doldrums and fight for the future.
Anarchy’s Agenda?
I agree with the Kaieteur’s letter-writer. They have started their insidious but well-crafted P.R. campaign already. To depict banditry as “freedom-fighting; to declare blood-money taken from poor victims of one race as funds for some “revolution”; to elevate and glorify murderous criminality as justified “struggle”.
Note the expressions and lofty description these journalistic/political pretenders and charlatans wish to position in the psyche of the unsuspecting: struggle, people’s liberation, Buxton resistance, and freedom fighters. Justifying murder and other forms of criminality as a fight against “inequality and injustice”. Phony “movements” establishing criminal enterprise as legitimate mechanisms for achieving “equality”. Don’t be fooled Guyanese. Not even you poor folks who might be given a few bloody dollars. You see when anarchists take hold - or take over - you too soon can become their victims.
These are no real rebels - just ambitious losers exploiting the poor’s need; people’s expectations in the short-term. Next week, we’ll discuss a destabiliser’s manual but for now try to imagine just who you can think of who heads the programme to create heroes and “liberators” out of common murderers - of the poor.
Until...
1) Apologies for not dealing with “Mr Munroe of Region Four” or “the civic’s major mistakes” for the second week. But next Friday won’t pass. Someone wants to ‘buse my erstwhile comrade Alan!
2) Should our sportsmen who cause our country to be recognised by their own victories be rewarded by government? In what manner? Always “house and car”? Could these victors not be encouraged to continue to excel whilst being practical Ambassadors?
3) Hey teleactivists, abuse the police excesses but praise their capture of desperadoes as well.
4) How can Christians and Non-Christians create a renewed society in Guyana this year-end?
5) So strongly does my PPP/C stalwart feel about what another political party has used Buxton to become, he is refusing to buy or eat his well-loved Buxton spice mangoes!
‘Til next week!
