Andre `Stone' Purlett recently became the first Guyanese heavyweight boxer ever to be rated within the top 10 of a recognised world organisation.

The latest rankings of the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has the power-punching Guyanese rated eighth in the world.

Earlier this month Purlett knocked out Jeremy Bates with a single punch in round two to win the North America Boxing Organisation (NABO) heavyweight title.

Former world champion Franz Botha and one time Purlett sparring partner David Tua are ranked ninth and tenth respectively by the WBO. Wladimir Klitschko is the WBO champion. The number one challenger for the title is Kirk Johnson.

On a recent visit home the 27-year-old undefeated Purlett said that he would take two more warm up fights before seeking a world title shot. His impressive record reads 32-0-29. (Steve Ninvalle)