Saturday, August 18 2012

THE TOP two boxing governing bodies in Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control (TTBBC) and the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Boxing Association (TTABA), have decided to offer the olive branch to American-born boxer Carlos Suarez, who competed for the twin-island republic at the recent Olympic Games in London, England.

At the Games, the 19-year-old Suarez lost 16-6 to Ferhat Pehlivan of Turkey in the light flyweight category but launched a scathing attack on TTBBC special adviser and former matchmaker and promoter Boxu Potts at the post - match press conference, declaring his intention to represent the United States at the professional level.

In a media conference on Tuesday, Potts said, “We are a very forgiving people, we’ll forgive (him), we’ll take him in, we’ll counsel him, we’ll advise him, we’ll assist him going forward. If he comes back here as a professional boxer we will help him. He’s one of us.”

Potts continued, “If you want to be a professional boxer, professional boxers start at six rounds and end at 12. So you have to train yourself mentally, physically, technically, spiritually and emotionally. That’s my advice to young Suarez. Get up in the morning early, go to sleep early, and eat right. Eat correct for your blood type also.” Potts revealed that Suarez, if he decides to remain an amateur, has to represent Trinidad and Tobago since he fought for the country of his mother at that level.

Annabelle Davis, chairman of the TTBBC, reflected on Suarez’s preparation methods for the Games.

“By his going back to Ohio (after qualifying for the London Games), and our not having a set contract in place, allowed a situation to continue where there was little control over what actually happened with the boxer in terms of his training and conditioning.”

She continued, “although we sought to have certain commitments from the Suarez camp, commitments were breached. (TTABA president Cecil) Forde felt we put together a fairly good package, which included his going to Cuba and Venezuela and then to the Ukraine, which ensured he would be a little less ring rusty.”

On a closing note, Davis acknowledged, “the fact that he left the country, and represented the country from a disgruntled point of view, it was unfortunate to say the absolute least. That situation must never happen again. I think it was a learning experience for all of us.”