‘Pocket Rocket’ looks to launch hinterland boxing 

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Newly appointed Hinterland Boxing Coach Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers is on a mission to seek out boxing talent in hinterland districts through several new community gyms.

Rogers was appointed by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and as a retired professional boxer, he is pushing to keep youths meaningfully occupied through the sport. The most recent gym is located in Wakapao in Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam. It has 30 members from the four neighbouring areas of Curemeru, Mora, Myrie and Massarie.

Hinterland Boxing Coach, Orlon Rogers (Third left standing) with members of the newly formed Wakapao boxing gym in Region Two

Rogers, who resides in Linden, formed an executive body to oversee its daily management in his absence. The other gyms formed are Region One’s Moruca Power Right Boxing Gym, Region Seven’s Bartica Blazing Gym, Region Eight’s Hands in the Glove Gym and Region Nine’s Savannah Boxing Gym Lethem.

These youths will be participating in an inaugural hinterland boxing championship that will take place soon. Champions will go on to represent Guyana at the Caribbean School Boys Boxing Championship. Rogers expressed his appreciation to Minister Norton, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, for fully supporting the venture.

His next tour will be to Kwakwani Region 10 and other remote areas such as Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, Leguan, Wakenaam, Charity and Annai.  “As long as we have young boys and girls who are willing to learn the fistic sport of boxing I’ll give my all to produce because I am seeing the talent in those areas and by 2020,2024 and 2028, Guyana will have lots of medals from boxing and we will maintain our status as the powerhouse in the Caribbean…”

Rogers’ first gym was formed in Victory Valley in Linden. Many members have participated in international competitions, many times returning home as champions. “Presently, I have the super bantamweight champion Richard Williamson and the super middleweight champion Derick Richmond, I have three sets of top amateur boxers, we have Akea Lamazion who is the WBC (World Boxing Council) amateur female champion and Duel Augustine who got the youth best boxer award last year.”

Refuting the popular belief that boxing is a violent sport, ‘Pocket Rocket’ explained that boxing is highly disciplined and actually helps one to garner the skill of self-control while simultaneously teaching self-defence mechanisms.

Story and Image: Vanessa Braithwaite   

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