TT boxing veterans return to the ring

SOME veteran faces will be returning to the local boxing arena at The Showdown pro card which punches off at the Woodbrook Youth Facility on February 9, at 7 pm.

Lion Stone Boxing Promotion of Las Vegas, Nevada will be working alongside Fine Line Promotions, in an attempt to revive professional boxing in the country. The card will include five professional bouts, including one title bout.

The main event will feature hard-hitting lightweight TT boxer Prince-Lee Isidore. The 33-year-old, with 16 wins, three defeats and one draw, has been out of the ring for just over a year but is ready to match gloves with Venezuela's Antoni Armas for the WBF international title.

Promoter Bharrath Ramoutar of Fine Line Promotions said both fighters are keenly anticipating the contest. At a press conference yesterday at the National Boxing Gym, Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Ramoutar said, "Both boxers have been hard at training and both expressed confidence in winning this title bout, stating that they are going to 'bring it' on fight night. This bout is scheduled for ten rounds."

Speaking to the media yesterday, Isidore said he is not focusing on his rival but his own strengths. He said, "I don't know much about my opponent. I have always never really considered too much about what my opponent can do but what I can do."

The supporting card also has some interesting match-ups as it features experienced heavyweight TT boxer Kertson Manswell (24-12-0) who has not fought since 2015 and is coming off four straight defeats. Manswell, 42, will square off against 44 year old Kenneth Bishop of TT in the 200+ weight category over eight rounds.

Bishop, with a modest record of two wins, two defeats and a draw, is confident of beating his more experienced rival.

He said. "I feel very confident. Kertson Manswell is a experienced fighter and well respected. Kertson Manswell is baby food and trust me allyuh will get some fireworks on that night."

Carlos Suarez, who represented TT at the 2012 Olympics, will battle Venezuelan Dallan Llovera in a 112-pound contest over six rounds. Suarez has been fighting professionally in USA over the past three years with some success. He has eight wins, three losses and one draw to his name, with victory in his last two fights.

Sheldon Lawrence, one of the most active boxers in the country, will match-up against fellow TT boxer Selwyn Guy in an eight-round 190-pound fight. The night also includes a six-round clash between Kevon Diaz and Iwan Azore in a 154-pound all-TT battle.