Former special advisor to the T&T Boxing Board of Control Buxo Potts has been appointed as a chairman on the World Boxing Council, and he is excited to revive boxing in T&T and the region.

At a press conference held at Alicia’s Guest House in St Ann’s yesterday, Potts said he was thankful for the opportunity.

“I want to thank god and everyone for helping me to promote the sport of boxing in this region. The World Boxing Council considers me to be an integral part of boxing and I have been appointed as a chairman.”

Potts has been appointed as the chairman of the Central America and Caribbean region for the World Boxing Council (WBC) development initiative. Potts, whose tenure as the special advisor to the T&T Boxing Board of Control ended last month, is happy that the WBC has decided to give him the opportunity to develop boxing in the region.

He said this came about after a meeting in Mexico last year with the WBC, WBA (World Boxing Association) and IBF (International Boxing Federation).

                                                     (Buxo Potts)

The organisations all met to decide on a way to deal with boxing, which they considered dying. 

In March T&T will host a three-day boxing convention to help develop the sport of boxing.

Recently retired boxer Floyd Mayweather, boxing promoter Don King, and former boxers Oscar De La Hoya, George Foreman and Lennox Lewis are also expected to attend the convention.

“There are 19,000 boxers looking for an avenue to box. We want to develop boxing in all forms,” Potts said.

The convention will not only be about boxing, as it will include numerous activities such as a social development programme and an anti-bullying programme.

Potts stated that he hopes Government Ministries such as the Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Security, Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs jumps on board.

Potts, who plans to send proposals to the various ministries soon, hopes corporate sponsors will get involved.

Following the convention in March, T&T will host a World Cup Boxing tournament after the 2016 Rio Olympics.