By BRENT STUBBS
Chief Sports Editor
btubbs@tribunemedia.net
PROFESSIONAL boxers Carl “Flashy King” Hield and Rashield “Raw” Williams, along with amateur boxer Nisar Dean, will be heading to Istanbul, Turkey, to compete in the IBA President's Cup Boxing championship.
Vincent Strachan, president of the Boxing Federation of the Bahamas, made the announcement yesterday as the team prepares to travel to Istanbul, Turkey, from November 25 to December 7.
While Dean will compete in the amateurs’ 156-pound class, Williams will be entered in the 147-lbs (welterweight and Hield in the 160lbs (middleweight)
Strachan will manage the team, assisted by Stacey McPhee. The coaches are Richard Dean and Emmanuel Adotei and Gaddet Basden will serve as the cut technician/coach.
Hield, 40, said he's eager to go to Turkey and to continue to carry the banner for The Bahamas and get a chance to earn some cash from the prize money that's being offered to the pros. "I want to give God the thanks for giving me the strength to fight again," Hield said. "It's a good opportunity to be on an IABA card because they have a lot of talent that came from the amateur ranks into the professional ranks.
"They are looking at all of the rising stars from the countries, who were amateurs at one time and now they are fighting in the pros."
Having previously held the number five ranking, Hield is now listed at No.4 in the World Boxing Association's FedeLatin Super Middleweight division. The list is headed by Francisco Veron of Argentina with a 17-2-1 win-loss-draw record with 10 knockouts. Hield is currently 16-0, ll by knockouts.
During the championships, Strachan noted that IBA would be hosting its congress and election of officers on December 5. Strachan, McPhee, the first vice president, and Basden, the second vice president, will represent The Bahamas as delegates.
All positions would be open for elections including that of president and secretary general. Umar Cremlv from Russia is the incumbent president and Chris Roberts, Ireland, UK is the secretary general/CEO.
The team is expected to depart on November 23 and return on December 9.
"We are appealing to corporate Bahamas for financial assistance to help with the cost of the team travel and our two weeks stay in Turkey," Strachan said.