New world champion showcases
Guyana’s huge talent
- President Jagdeo
… Harris wants to defend WBA title on home soil
Guyana Chronicle
May 31, 2004
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo described Gwendolyn “Stealth Bomber” O’Neil becoming Guyana’s fourth world champion as showcasing the country’s traditional talent.
O’Neil claimed the vacant Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light heavyweight title after a bruising encounter with American Kathy Rivers at the National Park, Saturday night.
“I’m very glad. And very happy for Gwendolyn and Guyana.”
Asked what the victory means for Guyana, President Jagdeo replied: “It just keeps up the tradition we have. We’re a relatively small country, but we have huge boxing talent. I think that was showcased again tonight.”
Guyana first entered the hallowed halls of boxing fame when Andrew “Sixhead” Lewis gave the country her first world title on February 17, 2001, which was followed up by Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite the following year on October 11 and “Vicious” Vivian Harris a week later on October 19.
The three world-famous pugilists were rewarded handsomely by the head of state and the new and first woman world champion, publicly called for such recognition to wild applause from the thousands that witness the historic feat.
World Boxing Association (WBA) Junior Welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris told Chronicle Sport: “It was a good fight. She won it, but I think if she had taken her time a little bit more, she would have stopped Rivers, with good shots to the body. She was hunting the head a little bit too much and if she had gone to the body a little bit more, she would have knocked the girl out. She was too strong for Rivers and I think she had a lot of energy that is why she threw her punches so much. It was a very good fight.”
Harris was not surprised that Rivers stood up for so long after the early bombardment from O’Neil.
“Kathy is a strong girl, too. She always comes to fight. It was a very good fight put together with two determined persons. And they were fighting for a world title and nobody’s going to quit. It was going to go to the end or somebody would have gotten knocked out. And it so happened that they both fought right to the tenth round and that was great, and gave the public a really good fight.”
Harris said the historic event is just great for Guyana.
“I’m just happy that everybody came out and supported her. It makes me want to come now and fight here, defend my title back home in Guyana. It’s just a good thing - she winning the world championship here. I think boxing is back in Guyana.”