Post by B. Singh on Mar 4, 2008 8:38:38 GMT -5
Trinidad Newdsay
By ZAID MOHAMMED Tuesday, March 4 2008
www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,74359.html
Salandy’s manager moving ahead
HARRY RAGOONANAN, new manager of female world boxing champion Giselle Salandy yesterday vowed to press ahead with preparations for her first mandatory title defence on March 29.
The respected businessman, managing-director of Busy Builders Company Limited of 50 Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain said he remains undaunted by the many obstacles being placed in the way of the important fight.
It is understood that two proposals recently put forward by Ragoonanan to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control concerning the card, has not been treated to his satisfaction.
The first, submitted late last year outlined the training programme of the undefeated 20-year-old Salandy, currently the only Trinidad and Tobago athlete holding a world title.
It was hoped that she would be able to travel to Miami, USA to finish her preparations to face Germany’s Karolina Lukasik for an unprecedented seven belts.
Without even an acknowledgement from the Boxing Board of Control led by Melchoir Taylor, a former international referee, Ragoonanan was forced to set up a temporary camp in Arima for Salandy to complete her training.
And on Sunday night, Hector Roca, the world renowned trainer of the Gleason’s Gym located in Brooklyn, New York arrived in Trinidad to train Salandy.
He is known internationally for being behind the success of Artuto Gatti, Buddy McGirk and has worked with Hollywood actors Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man), for their roles in the two blockbuster boxing movies.
Apart from training at the make-shift camp in Arima, Salandy will also return for sessions at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar where she fell and hurt her hand last month.
Roca’s involvement in Salandy 16th fight, potentially her most challenging against the undefeated German (9-0) will be in addition to the input of her longtime trainer Ulric Johnson, a lightweight who once rated No 3 in the world.
Also making a contribution will be Kevin Placide, “The Fighting Policeman” who recently lost in a defence of the World Boxing Empire (WBE) championship.
There will also be an effort to bring American Liz Mooney, who Salandy beat in 2006 at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo. Mooney is expected to provide an ideal sparring partner for Salandy (15-0) in the final tune-up for March 29.
Yesterday Ragoonanan said that he has also been set back by the response to his second proposal, which requested five airplane tickets for the Lukasik party.
And the Boxing Board has stated in no uncertain terms that they are only willing to underwrite the sanction fees of four championship belts, not eight as requested. It is understood that the Boxing Board was only prepared to approve the return airfare of only two Germans coming with Lukasik.
“It has never been profitable for boxing promoters in the past to stage bouts. It is not a profitable enterprise made worse by the fact that the corporate organisations are reluctant to assist. So Government must step in,” Ragoonanan said.
He said Salandy is a national treasure who should be given all the support she needs to remain at the top of her game and provided with an advantage against Lukasik.
“We are hoping that the Boxing Board of Control should assume a conciliatory role in the staging of the bouts involving Salandy as she is a unique athlete in a very complex sport. But she belongs to Trinidad and Tobago with a great future once handled in the best way we are trying to provide,” Ragoonanan said yesterday.
By ZAID MOHAMMED Tuesday, March 4 2008
www.newsday.co.tt/sport/0,74359.html
Salandy’s manager moving ahead
HARRY RAGOONANAN, new manager of female world boxing champion Giselle Salandy yesterday vowed to press ahead with preparations for her first mandatory title defence on March 29.
The respected businessman, managing-director of Busy Builders Company Limited of 50 Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain said he remains undaunted by the many obstacles being placed in the way of the important fight.
It is understood that two proposals recently put forward by Ragoonanan to the Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Board of Control concerning the card, has not been treated to his satisfaction.
The first, submitted late last year outlined the training programme of the undefeated 20-year-old Salandy, currently the only Trinidad and Tobago athlete holding a world title.
It was hoped that she would be able to travel to Miami, USA to finish her preparations to face Germany’s Karolina Lukasik for an unprecedented seven belts.
Without even an acknowledgement from the Boxing Board of Control led by Melchoir Taylor, a former international referee, Ragoonanan was forced to set up a temporary camp in Arima for Salandy to complete her training.
And on Sunday night, Hector Roca, the world renowned trainer of the Gleason’s Gym located in Brooklyn, New York arrived in Trinidad to train Salandy.
He is known internationally for being behind the success of Artuto Gatti, Buddy McGirk and has worked with Hollywood actors Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man), for their roles in the two blockbuster boxing movies.
Apart from training at the make-shift camp in Arima, Salandy will also return for sessions at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar where she fell and hurt her hand last month.
Roca’s involvement in Salandy 16th fight, potentially her most challenging against the undefeated German (9-0) will be in addition to the input of her longtime trainer Ulric Johnson, a lightweight who once rated No 3 in the world.
Also making a contribution will be Kevin Placide, “The Fighting Policeman” who recently lost in a defence of the World Boxing Empire (WBE) championship.
There will also be an effort to bring American Liz Mooney, who Salandy beat in 2006 at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo. Mooney is expected to provide an ideal sparring partner for Salandy (15-0) in the final tune-up for March 29.
Yesterday Ragoonanan said that he has also been set back by the response to his second proposal, which requested five airplane tickets for the Lukasik party.
And the Boxing Board has stated in no uncertain terms that they are only willing to underwrite the sanction fees of four championship belts, not eight as requested. It is understood that the Boxing Board was only prepared to approve the return airfare of only two Germans coming with Lukasik.
“It has never been profitable for boxing promoters in the past to stage bouts. It is not a profitable enterprise made worse by the fact that the corporate organisations are reluctant to assist. So Government must step in,” Ragoonanan said.
He said Salandy is a national treasure who should be given all the support she needs to remain at the top of her game and provided with an advantage against Lukasik.
“We are hoping that the Boxing Board of Control should assume a conciliatory role in the staging of the bouts involving Salandy as she is a unique athlete in a very complex sport. But she belongs to Trinidad and Tobago with a great future once handled in the best way we are trying to provide,” Ragoonanan said yesterday.