The Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym, which was destroyed by fire last week, could be back up running sooner than expected, following the intervention of Guyana latest world boxing champion, Lennox ‘Too Sharp’ Allen.
Through the National Sports Commission, a quantity of boxing gear was donated to the gym, housed at the Linden Johnson Community Centre, based in the Victory Valley community in the Mining Town.
Upon learning of the tragedy, Allen reached out to Director of Sports Christopher Jones and arrangements were made to have the equipment handed over.
Allen believes that at all cost, fighters should not be deterred from learning and participating in the sport they love, and, he insists that he will use his newfound fame and fortune in boxing to help set young fighters, especially those in communities labelled as ‘underprivileged’ to realise their dreams in the sport.
Orlan Rogers, who collected the boxing gear from Jones at the NSC’s Homestretch Avenue Headquarters on Monday, was full of gratitude and praises to the WBA title holder, adding “it’s good that he (Allen) was this generous and we are grateful for the support.”
“These stuff will go a very long way in helping to restore the gym,” said Rogers. The boxing coach further added that “the young boxers will be more eager to return to training and practicing when they learn that these equipment were sent to them from the ‘champ’, so thanks to Lennox (Allen) for his donation.”
According to Jones, the NSC is happy to play the role of a conduit for the supplies from Allen to reach to the Pocket Rocket Gym, while pointing that the Commission will also be handing over some other equipment to the gym.
Meanwhile, both Rogers and Jones related that efforts are being made with the help of the Regional Democratic Counsel (RDC) in Region 10, to find a new home for the gym.
According to the World Boxing Association (WBA), Allen is one of their three title holders at the Super Middleweight (168lbs) division, along with Callum Smith (Super Champion) and Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (Regular Champion).
Allen won the title following his Unanimous Decision win over American Derrick Webster on February 15 in the USA.
