Boxing for regional integrationBy ZAID MOHAMMED Sports Editor Tuesday, February 13 2007
JAMAICAN boxer Muhammad Dawes wants to initiate a reciprocal boxing contest with Trinidad and Tobago which he said will accelerate the regional integration process and help develop the sport in both countries.
Dawes hopes to stage his first card shortly at the Cosmic Boxing Gym in Marabella which will be in memory of former national champion Fitzroy Guiseppi.
“I have discussed the idea with Cecil Forde who manages the Cosmic Gym and he is willing to assist in the effort,” said Dawes.
Forde is also the vice-president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
He said Guiseppi, who died several years ago was a San Fernando native who coached in Jamaica and was instrumental in keeping the sport alive in the Isle of Springs. “He was also my personal coach in Kingston and I am going to try and keep his memory alive with the competition between the top boxers from our countries,” he said.
Dawes said he has already spoken to the president of the Jamaica Boxing Board of Control, Trinidad and Tobago-born retired Jamaica Regiment Colonel Ken Barnes and he has pledged his support.
Colonel Barnes is also the father of former England international footballer John Barnes.
Dawes, a lightweight boxer last fought in late December on a card promoted by Tansley Thompson at the Africa Recreation Ground in Laventille.
But he said he injured his left shoulder during a bout in Barbados and has been advised to take a long rest to recuperate satisfactorily.
“It is taking longer than I hoped to so I have turned my attention and interest to the promotional side of the sport,” said Dawes who has entered the ring 17 times and recorded five victories, 11 losses, and one draw.
Dawes said he recently received his Certificate of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills Qualification documentation and can move freely throughout the region and work unhindered.
In this respect he is also seriously interested in landing a coaching assignment in Trinidad and Tobago and has petitioned Mrs Molly Boxhill, secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control.
Dawes last year also completed the prestigious Olympic Solidarity course for boxing coaches in association with AIBA, the International Amateur Boxing Association which was conducted in Kingston.
He said his initiative will greatly assist in fostering a better understanding among the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and further the development of boxing.
“What I have observed is that there are New Yorkers who are more familiar with places in the Caribbean than are our own people. The reason is that they come often and make a conscious attempt to learn about their hosts,” said Dawes.
He said people of both countries could establish bridges of co-operation, understanding and boxing rivalry should he be successful in gaining support from corporate sponsors and government.
Dawes pointed out that the Trinidad and Tobago Government is more supportive of boxing that the Jamaican authorities who do not allocate as much resources to the sport.
He also intends to set up an insurance plan for boxers who he said are prone to injury and must take money out of their own pockets to finance medical treatment and rehabilitation.
“I think that this should be the next step to elevate the boxing fraternity into the era of modern sports, a project which will benefit all boxers,” Dawes said.
Dawes also wants to enlist the boxing community in an association similar to the West Indies Players’ Association which will give them a collective voice and build strong representation.
