"Stealth Bomber" aims to be Guyana's first female world champ
By Steve Ninvalle
Stabroek News
April 30, 2002
If Gwendolyn fights as well as she talks then she would be the most feared woman this side of the hemisphere.
There is no doubt that she talks with authority and in any verbal clash would be the winner via the quickest route.
So the avalanche of words that greeted Stabroek Sport was expected when we called to interview Guyana's world rated female heavyweight boxer about her upcoming fight against Trinidadian Kim `Crusher' Quashie.
"I want to be champion of Guyana, the Caribbean and the world. I'm going to then fight Marian Garcia for the Caribbean title. Quashie wouldn't stand in my way," O'Neil said.
O'Neil and Quashie meet in an anticipated main supporting scorcher at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this Saturday when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control stages its first card for 2002.
"I'm going to make Kim Quashie my heavy bag. I'm going to do her what I do to the bags in the gym. She hasn't got the speed, power or will to defeat me," O'Neil, AKA `The Stealth Bomber', declared.
The two fight in a catch weight contest over a duration of six rounds. The squatty Trinidadian is way over the 175 pounds light heavyweight limit which O'Neil traverses, forcing the organisers to make the fight a catch weight.
But O'Neal, who many Guyanese have seen on the Noni television advertisement, is not worried by her rival's weight. "Yuh ever hear about David and Goliath," she quipped. "Well Qushie gon fall harder than Goliath."
She has only lost once in six fights and has no plans of reaching two defeats. The defeat was a controversial one to Melissa Charles last year. It's one she plans to avenge.
At present the 32 year old, who started three years ago, is ranked number two in the light heavyweight category by the female world governing body.
Preparation for Saturday's contest has been going on smoothly at the GDF gym in Camp Ayanganna with the experienced Lennox Daniels in her corner.
"I'm rough. I never like to do like the other girls who go into the ring and slap. I would prefer to stand toe to toe and trade punches. In other words I would prefer to fight like a man."
Her husband Eon Peters, who hovers around 250 pounds has felt her wrath on may occasions since he doubles as a sparring partner. "I ain't easy yuh know! I does have him running sometimes. He is a man so who the hell is Kim?" she asked.
Peters was quick to agree. "I have a hard time with this woman. She is not the usual woman," he stressed. "She is a real `Stealth Bomber."
In order to participate in this fight O'Neil had to push back plans for training in the United States. She was due to travel to Brooklyn on the same day of the card but has rescheduled her flight.
"I want to fight every month, every week if it is possible. I love to fight and one day I'll be the first female world champion from Guyana."
After much deliberation the Guyana Boxing Board of Control decided to elevate the six-rounder to the main supporting bout. National lightweight champion Richard Howard tackles Trinidadian Learie Bruce in the headliner which is scheduled for 10 rounds.