Guyana sends youthful boxing team to AMBC Elite Championships

A contingent of four promising young Guyanese boxers, flanked by two experienced coaches, is set to represent the nation at the upcoming Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships.

The tournament is scheduled in Ecuador from May 18th to 23rd.

Leading the charge is the highly regarded female fighter Abiola Jackman. The 22-year-old will compete in the Women’s 81kg division and is looking to impact the continental stage significantly.

She is joined by 17-year-old Ken Harvey, a technically adept and courageous competitor who will enter the ring in the 60kg Youth Division.

Harvey has impressed domestically with dominant displays and has already proven his mettle against regional opposition. His focus now shifts to testing his skills at the elite level, aiming to translate his recent form into a medal-winning performance.

The Guyanese team also features two other 17-year-olds: Joseph Jackson, who is competing in the Youth 75kg class, and Simeon Haymer, who will contest the Youth 67kg category. Both young boxers undergo rigorous training and are eager to leave their mark in Ecuador.

Coaches Lennox Daniels and Jeff Roberts will guide the quartet. Their extensive experience and mentorship are expected to prepare the team for the demanding competition.

Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), highlighted the significance of this deployment. “This is a young team, and their participation reflects our broader vision to expose Guyana’s best young boxing talents beyond the Caribbean,” Ninvalle stated.

He emphasised that the selected boxers have shown unwavering dedication to the GBA’s development programme and have demonstrated their readiness for elite competition. “It’s essential that our top young athletes are given the opportunity to face world-class opponents from an early stage in their careers. That’s how we shape their future and elevate the standard of boxing in Guyana,” Ninvalle explained.

“One of the pillars of the GBA’s mission is to ensure that our athletes receive the exposure and experience they need to grow. And that kind of development can only happen when they compete at the highest levels,” he added.

Ninvalle also singled out Abiola Jackman, describing the world-rated boxer as a beacon of hope for women’s boxing in Guyana and a symbol of the country’s potential on the global stage.

“We’re especially looking forward to seeing Jackman test herself against the best in the AMBC. This Caribbean champion has the potential to be a trailblazer for female boxing in Guyana, and this tournament could be a major stepping stone in her career,” Ninvalle concluded.