By Avenash Ramzan
As they did in April at the Everest ground, Guyanese boxers Elton Dharry and Keevin Allicock delivered knockout wins on Saturday evening, much to the delight of a fair-sized crowd at the refurbished Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The first boxing card at the Homestretch Avenue venue since it has been renovated was put on by Elton Dharry Promotions, NexGen Global and the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
It was on Boxing Day 2004 that Dharry entered the professional realm, and 20 years later, the USA-based pugilist is in line to become Guyana’s next world champion- with a title shot in May 2025, likely in Guyana- and he proved yet again that he deserves every bit of that opportunity in the new year.
Colombian Randy Ramirez came to Guyana with high hopes of toppling the hometown boy in the six-round Bantamweight contest, but he left the ring weeping, suffering the first blemish of his 11-fight pro career.
It was a far cry (pun intended) from the mannerism of Ramirez a day earlier when he chucked Dharry, who had offered a handshake at the weigh-in.
Elton Dharry kneels over his opponent Randy Ramirez after inflicting the decisive blow (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/December 28, 2024)
The Sports Hall erupted with jubilation when referee Eion Jardine waved off the contest two minutes, 59 seconds into Round Two when Ramirez dropped to the canvas for the second time in the round.
At 23, Ramirez has youth and agility on his side, but Dharry, 16 years older, brought experience and supreme physical condition to the ring, completely annihilating his opponent, who laid still on the canvas for a few minutes as ringside medical personnel attended to him.
As that was unfolding, Dharry walked around the ring soaking in the applause as he improved his record to 29 (17)-6-1 and continue his build-up to the world title shot.
Keevin Allicock takes the attack to Dexter Wray in Round Two (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/December 28, 2024)
While Dharry is approaching the tail-end of his illustrious career, 25-year-old Allicock is at the infancy of his pro journey, now just two fights in.
A showman in his own rights, Allicock made a grand entry to the now AC-powered venue, with Guyanese artiste cKush belting out ‘A champion will rise’ in dedication to the Tokyo 2020 Olympian.
What followed was a woefully lop-sided affair that lasted a mere two rounds.
Truth be told, debutant Dexter Wray was no match for Allicock, who notched up his second knockout in as many pro fights.
After a quiet opening round, Allicock wore his opponent down in Round Two, throwing body punches almost at will, some seemingly with intent not to harm Wray.
While Allicock could be faulted for not hastening the knockout, Wray took fate in his own hands and opted to stay in his corner at the bell to start the third round.
In the first pro fight, a clash of two debutants, Kevin Isaacs won 40-36 on all three judges’ cards against Julian Clarke in a four-round Featherweight contest, while Emmanuel Sancho started his pro career by flooring Anson Green one minute, 17 seconds into Round Three of their four-round Super Welterweight showdown.
Three exciting amateur bouts kick-started the action in the seven-fight card, which were witnessed by President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle.
Guyanese Abiola Jackman (blue) on the offensive against Kemara Stuart of Barbados (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/December 28, 2024)
Amateur Results:
Fight One: Kenisha Klass defeated fellow Guyanese Destiny Humphrey by Split Decision
Fight Two: Guyanese Ken Harvey pulled a Unanimous Decision win over Darnell Sinaswee of Trinidad and Tobago
Fight Three: Guyanese Abiola Jackman was dominant in a Unanimous Decision win over Kemara Stuart of Barbados
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