`Stealth Bomber’ Rivers clash for WIBA belt tonight
“This is more than a sport event, it’s history in the making”
… WIBA executive director
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
May 29, 2004
WOMEN’S International Boxing Association (WIBA) Executive Director Ryan Wissow declared that Guyana’s first world title fight was a national event.
Guyanese Gwendolyn Heavyweight belt in the main event of the card dubbed “The Clash in the Park” staged by Holland Entertainment Promotions (HEP) at the National Park, tonight.
In the midst of the press conference at NCN TV studio on Homestretch Avenue yesterday, the Florida-based Wissow brought the coveted belt that was won by Jackie Fraser in 2001 but who never defended it and was thus stripped.
“This is a fight I wanted to put together for a long time. I’m really, really happy. This is more than just a sporting event. This is a big event for the country. This is history being made.”
Rivers said she expected that the Guyanese public would be rooting for O’Neil and she urged that everybody to come and support the historic event.
“It’s not only to support Gwen in this fight, it’s to support your country. It’s to support the youths that are coming up in boxing. They all want the support they can get, especially the women.”
The number one contender singled out HEP’s Managing Director Carrwyn Holland for staging the card.
“Not a lot of promoters are promoting women and he’s taking a great leap in presenting the world title fight, especially in women boxing. He’s just opened the door for females coming up in boxing.”
Then Rivers slipped in her punch line.
“All you Guyana people, come out and support your girl because pretty much at the end of the fight, she’s gonna need a lot of support.”
O’Neil considers the belt hers already and was less diplomatic in her pre-fight banter.
“When I get my belt, nobody ain’t coming to collect it because I will continue to fighting for more belts. So Kathy River, I think you should go with a bag to collect your bones. It would not be easy in the ring.”
World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite said he was honoured to come home and support the card, telling O’Neil she must listen to her corner and win.
“Gwendolyn and I come a long way. We fought on the same card in Trinidad and Tobago and I acted as her coach. She won the fight. She knocked out the girl. I must say good luck to Kathy. It’s an honour to have you in Guyana to fight for a world title. This will be history in the making.”
O’Neil has seven victories and six have been by the knockout route.
World Boxing Association (WBA) Junior Welterweight champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris told Rivers that it was hard to fight in an opponent’s country because he had the experience fighting in Germany.
“It’s going to be a great fight because she’s come into this country to fight the home girl. But I want Gwendolyn to know that it is going to be a tough fight. I want you to be real focus for this fight. I’m your countryman and I’m backing you.”
Co-main fighter Leon “Hurry Up” Moore said he was preparing very hard for the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Bantamweight title against Elvis Martinez of the Dominican Republic.
“I’m looking for the best out of this fight. I looking to beat my opponent and step up for a Commonwealth title championship.”
After leaving Santo Domingo some three days ago, Martinez was due to arrive last evening.
Secretary of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) Trevor Arno assured the boxers that the officiating would be “fair and clean.”
Arno disclosed that he was almost certain that should O’Neil win, Guyana would be next to the USA to have both female and male world champions, pointing out that Guyana has the best per capita rate for world boxing champions.
The rest of the card will pit Geraldine Cox against Pamela “Grenade” London, Lennox Alleyne against Wayne Briggs and James Walcott against Troy Lewis.
The gates will be open from 19:00 hrs for the 20:00 hrs first gong. Only official vehicles with special stickers will be allowed into the National Park, while patrons will surrender their tickets for wristbands.