Carryl-Stephens Pro-Am card …
“It’s not going to be a female fight”
… says Woman World Champion Ashley
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
March 27, 2004
INTERNATIONAL Women Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion Alicia ‘Slick’ Ashley and Shondell ‘The Mystery Lady’ Alfred exchanged smiles, yesterday, at Water Chris, Waterloo, during the press conference, but offered strong words which spell real battle tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in the Carryl-Stephens Rising Stars Pro-Am card.
“It’s not going to be a female fight. I don’t train as a woman, I train as a boxer and there should be no distinction. A great fighter is a great fighter. And we’re going to prove that (tonight),” Ashley declared.
Ashley pointed out that although she is the world champion, she would be entering the ring as the opponent.
“I just want to show that I’m definitely a wonderful fighter. I am a boxer. I’m also a puncher. I heard good things about Shondell, I know her record and you’ll definitely going to see a wonderful fight,” Ashley said.
Alfred replied: “I have the ability and I believe in myself that I could do anything possible. This fight means everything to me and I know I am going to do my best. Once I get the Guyanese come out and support me, it going to be a very good fight. I won’t let anybody down. Only the best is going to stand up in the ring at the end.”
Trainer Siebert Blake thanked the promoters for facilitating Alfred fighting a world champion, disclosing that his boxer trained hard and is well prepared.
The main supporting bout will pit ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton against Canada-based Leon ‘Lion’ Gilkes over ten rounds.
Said Dalton: “I don’t do much talking outside the ring. I do it in the ring.”
Retorted Gilkes: “I can beat you any time, any place. I’m not scared of you. You fight guys who can’t hit back.”
Dalton’s trainer, Donald Allison, chipped in: “Denny fights anybody. We took you at short notice because there is no respect for you.”
Gilkes trainer George Oprecht said: “Gilkes will give Denny a hard fight. It will be one of the toughest fight for Dalton.”
But the Dalton camp was not finished with Gilkes. Manager Carwyn Holland presented him with a gift -- a hand-made poster proclaiming KO, KO, KO, around Gilkes’ name.
The other professional bouts will match Dillon ‘Barcelona’ Carew against ‘Classy’ Cassius Matthews over eight rounds; and Sharon ‘Stone’ Ward, a product of the Carryl Gym in Linden, and Lasma ‘The Rock’ Da Silva will make their debut.
There will also be amateur bouts, among them Dillon Peters will come up against Dexter Jordan in a 65-lb scrap, Troy Bayley will meet Stephon Gouveia in a 66-lb encounter and Rohan Jeffers takes on Clive Atwell.
The promoters disclosed there was error in the announcement of the admission fee. The new prices are: ringside $1200 and any other part $800. Gong-time is 19:00 hrs.