Guyanese Middleweight boxer Desmond Amsterdam has fought his way to the semi-finals of the Men’s competition at the American Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championship in Ecuador.
It means the former Caribbean champion is set to be financially rewarded for his progress in the Championship thus far, and at the very least will leave the South American nation with a bronze medal.
Amsterdam defeated Venezuelan Eldric Sell, the judges scoring the fight 3-2 in his favour. Notably, Sell participated in the Tokyo Olympics as part of the International Olympic Committee’s Refugee team.
Under the new payment structure implemented by the International Boxing Association, the winner in each of the 13 Men’s weight categories is guaranteed US$10,000, while the runner-up is assured of US$5,000.
If Amsterdam loses his semi-final clash against Mexican Hector Alvarado on Wednesday he will get US$2,500, which is the prize for the bronze medallists.
President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, said Amsterdam progressing to the medal round is a historic moment for not only the boxer, but the sport and the country as a whole.
“It will be the first time that we will have a Guyanese who will be able to earn financially while being an amateur, so he has created history,” Ninvalle commented.
“This is something to be applauded.”
“Desmond Amsterdam is one of the better boxers within the Caribbean- he’s a former Caribbean Middleweight champion and now he has pushed himself to be an AMBC Elite bronze medallist. My hope and expectation is that he goes on to better than bronze medal, with even a gold.”
Also representing Guyana at the Championship are Lightweight Jamal Eastman and Light Welterweight Colin Lewis, both of whom have lost and are out of contention.
