Saint Lucia claimed third place in the 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championship, which concluded on Sunday, showcasing a remarkable performance in front of enthusiastic home fans.
Saint Lucia stood strong with 21 points, following the champions Guyana at 35 points and the 2019 champions Trinidad and Tobago at 28 points at second place.
The host nation fought tenaciously, thrilling the many local supporters who came to witness the event. This championship marked the return of the premier regional boxing event after a four-year hiatus, with Guyana’s boxers demonstrating exceptional skill, determination, and national pride throughout the competition.
The Beausejour Indoor Facility (BIF) erupted with energy as the AMBC Caribbean Boxing Championships commenced last Friday. Saint Lucia’s fighters exhibited grit and determination, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
In the Elite 60kg category semifinal, Saint Lucia’s Donaaii Cooman delivered a powerhouse performance, decisively defeating Guyana’s Leon Albert with a Referee Stop Fight (RSF) decision. The crowd cheered overwhelmingly as Cooman’s relentless spirit secured a home victory.
Arthur Langellier, another standout athlete from Saint Lucia, faced a formidable challenge against Trinidad and Tobago’s Jaden Castellano. Despite Langellier’s valiant effort, Castellano edged him out on points in the Elite 71kg class.
The night featured intense battles. Antigua and Barbuda’s Yuriah De Silva met T&T’s Neraj Mahandeosingh in the Elite 60kg category, claiming victory via a points decision in the 63.5kg Class semifinal.
T&T’s Donnel Phillip echoed this triumph, defeating Antigua and Barbuda’s Joshua Toussaint on points in the Elite 67kg Class semifinal. Guyana’s Terroz Wintz and Trinidadian Med Charles electrified the ring, with Wintz securing a points decision win in the Youth 67kg semifinal.
Guadeloupe’s Hugo Amounie also delivered a strong performance, outpacing T&T’s Paul Newallo and winning by points in the Youth 71kg semifinal.
In the Elite 92+kg category, a nail-biting split decision highlighted T&T’s Nigel Paul’s victory over Guyana’s Emmanuel Pomprey. The excitement escalated on Saturday, featuring 11 more gripping bouts.
According to Kaieteur Sports, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) sent its largest-ever contingent to the tournament, comprising 16 elite and emerging fighters. They lived up to expectations, securing nine gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
The elite competition was packed with anticipated matchups, especially the 57kg contest where Guyana’s Keevin Allicock extended his unbeaten streak at the Caribbean Championship with a hard-fought split-decision victory over T&T’s Anthony Joseph. Having previously triumphed in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Allicock re-established his status as one of the region’s top fighters and was recognized for his contributions to the tournament.
Abiola Jackman delivered another standout performance, earning the title of Best Female Boxer after decisively defeating Trinidad’s Angel George in the 80kg class. Her sister, Alesha Jackman, showcased her prowess by forcing the referee to stop her 75kg contest against Antigua and Barbuda’s Chantel Johnson just 44 seconds into the first round.
In the 75kg division, Desmond Amsterdam captured a massive split decision victory against Trinidadian Olympian Arron Prince.
Colin Lewis dominated the 67kg category, overwhelming Saint Lucia’s Justice Surage to win on points.
In the youth division, Terroz Wintz was named Best Youth Boxer following his commanding performance against Saint Lucia’s Denzel Stephens in the 67kg contest, forcing the referee to stop the fight two minutes and 36 seconds into the second round—cementing his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Joshua Tamberran (57kg) won on points against Guadeloupe’s Noah Pakiry, and Semion Haymer (63kg) outperformed Trinidad and Tobago’s Darnell Sinaswee, winning on points.
Among the juniors, Kenyon Britton (50kg) impressively defeated Guadeloupe’s Davino Carty on points, while Ken Harvey faced a challenging battle in the 60kg bout, losing on points to Saint Lucia’s Alex Nachan.
On the championship’s final day (Sunday), Team Antigua and Barbuda clinched two more gold medals, bringing the country’s total to three gold, two silver, and one bronze across the three days of competition.
Uriah DeSilva and Leon Laudat ensured Antigua and Barbuda concluded the championships on a high note, with Laudat triumphing in the Youth 75kg Division against Trinidad & Tobago’s Luke Teasdale, while DeSilva emerged victorious in the Elite 60kg Division against Donaaii Cooman of Saint Lucia.
[R.A.]