World Champion Ashley’s ring date here…
“This is not about money, I like to help in any way.”
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
March 30, 2004
WHEN International Women’s Boxing Federation (IWBF) Super Bantamweight champion Alicia ‘Slick’ Ashley departs for home in New York, today, she would have left an indelible mark on local boxing in her quest to help the sport here.
The world champion at the pre-fight press conference declared that her trip here was not about money.
“When I was first asked, straightaway I said yes because I like to be a part of something brand new. I like to help in any way. I am a world champion and this situation is not about money. I’ve gone to other places where definitely I would get paid for the person I am. So this is not about money, this is being part of something brand new and taking it to another level,” Ashley said.
The Jamaican-born boxer became the first reigning world champion to fight here and she wowed local fans with her skill.
Ashley had warned that the fight would not be a “female fight”, pointing out that she trained as a boxer and not a woman.
“There should be no distinction. A great fighter is a great fighter and I want to prove that,” Ashley said.
And proved that she was a great boxer she did, with a truly spectacular performance, moving one boxing buff to remark that she was like “Mohamed Ali in a skirt”.
Despite her superior skill, Ashley was gracious, deciding not to put her local opponent away but allowing her to end the fight with a measure of dignity.
That performance would surely encourage other women to strive for the level of proficiency the world champion has attained.
Michael Carryl invited the world champion who trains at the world famous Gleason’s Gym to fight in the main bout of the Carryl-Stephen Rising Stars Pro-Am card last Saturday night the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Carryl also pointed out that the venture was not about money, preferring to be called a “developer” rather than a promoter.
The USA-based Guyanese disclosed that he was in the game for the past 20 years, consistently, year in, year out.
Carryl said he invested some US$2 000 in equipment, getting big discount from Everlast, the world famous boxing equipment giant.
“You can’t talk about boxing without equipment and coaches,” Carryl declared. “We need corporate sponsors to push the sport forward.”
Co-promoter Gary Stephen pointed out that amateur boxers were also important, thus the category was included on the card.
Stephen said that many boxers came from the depressed communities, and places must be prepared where they could go in the evenings.
“I met some of the guys in the gym and they are well mannered kids who have much respect. If we give them a chance to make something out of themselves, we will get good leaders. Without the amateurs we cannot get good professionals.”