Nigel Paul, Tianna Guy lead Pan Am boxing team

FIVE elite boxers have qualified for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, from October 26-November 5 .

They are men's super heavyweight Nigel Paul, men's middleweight Aaron Prince, men's flyweight Ortega Jokhu, women's heavyweight Angel George and women's featherweight Tianna Guy.

Trinidad and Tobago Boxing Association president Cecil Forde confirmed this on Thursday.

The team was selected after participating in the 2023 AMBC American Boxing Championships in Cali, Colombia, over the past week.

TT captured one silver medal (Guy) and four bronze (Prince, Jokhu, George and Paul) in Colombia.

Forde acknowledged the boxers' performances and Pan Am qualification.

“It's only fitting that congratulations are the order of the day. It's now official that we have qualified five elite boxers for the Pan Am Games.

"We remind that the games are a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This means that one of the major hurdles have been crossed, and things are going to get real serious from here on.”

“A special congrats to Tianna for her perseverance and discipline; she is beginning to reap her rewards,” he said.

TT also featured a team in the junior age category in Cali, which also earned four bronze medals. Boxers Paul Newallo, Judith Blake, Prince Charles and Anferney Baptiste were among the medals.

Forde added, “Our juniors and youths have got an early baptism and know now what life is like competing at this level of competition. They are now aware of the commitment and discipline needed to be the best.”

The boxing president credited the team’s coaches who made the trip and worked with the boxers in camp from 5am, their cook, and all the gyms and boxers who attended their sparring on Saturdays as preparation.

Forde reminded stakeholders that the programme continues on Saturday from 3pm at Cosmic Boxing Gym, Marabella.

“This is especially for our juniors and youths, as they are expected to be participating at the Caribbean School boys/girls in Guyana from August 18-20."