Boxing Board predicts ‘epic’ Dharry and Kassim world title bout on March 28

The Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) has promised an “epic” night of boxing on March 28 as US-based Guyanese Elton Dharry returns home to fight for the IBO Super Bantamweight title.

Dharry, 40, will face Tanzania’s Salmin Kassim at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Georgetown, with the host nation desperate to secure its eighth world boxing title.

“We want that eighth world title and we want it before Dharry finishes,” said GBBC President Peter Abdool.

“All of the people want to see this fight as desperately as we do.”

For Dharry, the bout represents a final opportunity to etch his name alongside the legends of Guyanese boxing.

Since Andrew ‘Six Heads’ Lewis became the nation’s first world champion in 2001, six others have followed, though most reached the summit on foreign soil.

Only Gwendolyn O’Neil has ever secured a world title at home, a feat achieved at the National Park in 2004.

Dharry, who trains at the world-renowned Gleason’s Gym in New York, will look to join an elite list that includes Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis,  Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, Vivian Harris, Shondell Alfred and Gary St. Clair.

The evening’s action isn’t limited to the main event as a highly anticipated domestic clash features Keevin Allicock and Dexter Marques, who will trade punches for the local featherweight title.

The professional card also includes Joel Williamson against Patrick Harvey and Guyana’s Desmond Amsterdam against Jamaica’s Kevin Hilton.

The night will open with four amateur bouts, featuring the likes of Abiola Jackman and Ken Harvey, who will both face overseas opponents, while the other two bouts will be announced soon.

According to the Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, the title fight comes during a period of growth for the sport in Guyana.

Beyond the marquee events, the nation is set to open its first boxing gym in Berbice in two months- a move intended to capitalise on the current momentum.

Tickets for the event at Pegasus Suites go on sale this Monday, with prices ranging from G$10,000 for gallery seating to G$60,000 for VVIP ringside experiences.

Card for March 28, 2026, at Pegasus Suites

• Bout #1 (Lightweight– 4 Rounds) debut fight: Septon Barton v/s Richard Howard Jnr.
• Bout #2 (Super Middleweight – 6 Rounds): Desmond Amsterdam v/s Kevin Hylton (JAM)
• Bout #3 (For the Featherweight Title of Guyana – 12 Rounds): Dexter Marques v/s Keevin Allicock
• Bout #4 (For the IBO Super Bantamweight World Title – 12 Rounds): Elton Dharry v/s Salmin Kassim