Premier Hosts Reception For Perozzi
Last night [Jan.17] a number of dignitaries gathered at a reception to congratulate WBA World Middleweight Champion Teresa Perozzi on her recent accomplishment.
Those present included Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Paula Cox, Government Ministers, Opposition MPs, and Senators. There were also several members of the boxing community present, including boxing trainer Forty Rego, Troy Darrell, Nikki Bascome, and Clarence Hill – Bermuda’s only Olympic medalist.
On December 30th, the 38-year-old boxer added another belt to her collection, winning the WBA Middleweight Title and the WBC Silver/Final Elimination. She took on Lorissa Rivas, a 29-year-old American-born fighter with Trinidad and Tobago roots, earning a split-decision victory to take the vacant WBA World Title.
Sports Minister Glenn Blakeney congratulated the new World Champion, and joked that the Premier wanted a photo op with the female politicians, as “the fighters in politics are the female politicians”
The Premier congratulated Ms Perozzi on her victory which she called a “wonderful start to 2012″, and confessed that the “only punch she was wanted” was the punch being served at the reception.
Boxing trainer Allan “Forty” Rego said, “Teresa Perozzi is not an island champion, she is not a city, country or state champion…she is a world champion, the whole wide world. But let’s not forget where she came from.”
Mr Rego also noted that Ms Perozzi spars with male boxers, and said then when she goes to fight women “it’s a piece of cake.”
During the presentation last night Ms Perozzi announced that she has secured an opponent for her next fight, which will take place at the Berkeley Institute Gymnasium on March 10th. She thanked the Government and Corporate Sponsors for assisting in the financial requirements needed to make it happen.
From the Diamonds and Caviar gala to dancing with the gombeys. Strolling around town with camera crew in tow, to visiting the play-acting soldiers at Warwick Camp. Now we have another reception. No wonder the poor lady has no time to attend an audit committee meeting.
Another question: How much did this event cost us tax payers?
If it’s any amount of money it would have been better served towards education and job creation instead of pointless pontificating for irrelevant camera time.
Sometimes when someone asks, can we afford to ddo this, we need to ask …can we afford not too!!!? True Bermudian, do you see the big picture? I understand your question and I see your point about spending, but most would agree that this is well deserved, inspirational to many and not anything that will be considered frivilous spending.
@ Family Man and True Bermudian
Your posts do not reflect your self described pen names. How could a ‘family man’ or ‘true Bermudian’ be so insensitive and try to make a genuine recognition of Bermuda’s success on the world stage into a negative political event?
Your posts reflect what is wrong with Bermuda today. In many instances we are so caught up in our personal circumstances that we can not see beyond ourselves to celebrate others. Perhaps if we take the time to celebrate others, we will be inspired to achieve at a higher level ourselves and in so doing inspire others.
As we are somtimes reminded by our forefathers, if we do not have anything positive to say, we should remain silent. Note also that sometimes silence is golden. Please have a golden moment.
Hats of to the Premeire for doing that. Ms. Perozzi has represented Bermuda well and has been a great ambasador for this country. Great to see Premeir Cox acknowledge that there are other sports other than football and cricket. Some of those before her seemed to forget that there are many sports played in this country.
I’m glad this reception was held for Theresa Perozz she deserves recognition for all the hard work she’s put in…….she looks beautiful too
Nice to see Government do something for her but, how about giving her a gym so she can train at. But not surprise they did this election is in the air.
lol
Great work Perozzi, keep up the good work also great job to your trainers and everyone else who help you.
there are always fools who will find something negative to say about anything. Ms.Perozzi is a world class athlete who has secured an international title. As a woman and a Bermudian, this is a major accomplishment and the fact the government has taken out the time to highlight her, is a plus. We are always looking over the world for heros well, this woman (Perozzi) has done Bermuda Proud. Let’s stop allowing or hate for the PLP to cloud our love for Bermuda. well done Theresa, it is so good to see a woman, Bermudian, Athlete being honored for high achievement. It serves as a insentive for our children to aspire to.
good work.
Thank you to all the wonderful comments and insights not only from this article but the overwhelming ones I read right after the fight. It is very humbling to know that I have affected so many people in such a positive way. I only hope that I can make Bermuda proud a few more times before it’s time to hang up the gloves. I just wanted to respond to a few of the comments and say that I understand the concerns out there but from first hand experience of being in that room last night will such greats not only in the political world but the boxing one as well I have never felt such peace, love and unity. It was truly a unifying experience and the outpouring of well wishes and support and sincerity was truly 100% felt and believable. Last night was not about what party you were in support of. It was truly a mixture of what our culture is about and what positive hard working Bermudians we have as role models. It was not only a night for me but also to recognize past and present boxers and what they have done for our small island. This upcoming title fight is going to be huge for Bermuda and it could not have happened without corporate and government support. I have worked 12 years towards this goal of bringing something of this magnitude to Bermuda and I believe it will certainly be $ well spent.
Thanks Teresa. Well said
Hi Theresa, you made us pround the very first time you stepped in the ring overseas! But for me it was more about the way you handled yourself in interviews and outside the ring than your performance inside the ring. Don’t get me wrong your accomplishments in the ring (and outside) are abviously amazing and truly insperational to any young boxer or athelete in general living on the rock. To be honest, I’m not a big boxig fan but I am a big Perozzi fan! Ive enjoyed watching you mature, and develop into a true role mole for youngsters. Not once that I can remeber have you ever been disrespectful to your opponents when winning or a sore loser. Congrats!!! Great to see you get some well deserved recognition from out government.
Well congratulations Ms. Perozzi on the win.
But a Premier hosted event WOW.
How much did this little do cost the taxpayer? Maybe the funds allocated to the event might have been used towards Bermuda’s debt and help reduce it.
Congrats again Teresa!!! Your words show once again why you are Bermudas Champ!
well done !!! a true ambassador(:
Congrats Teresa!!!
Ms. Perozzi
An unqualified congratulations to you for your victory on December 30th. All of Bermuda stands behind you as prepare for your next fight on March 10th.
I am sure you are well aware of the joy that comes with being recognized for your victories. I am also sure you are well aware of the lonely times when you must rise early for training or stay up late for various reasons, the push to carry on when you are discouraged by a lack of funds or sheer tiredness, the time it takes to heal from injuries and the frustration when trying to arrange for your next fignt.
I trust that times like Tuesday night will always remain in your memory as an inspiration to carry on. From the comments attributed to Mr. Forty Rego, you are not an island, city, country or state champion, you are a WORLD champion and we all celebrate with you.
From your post above, I see you are also gracious in victory. The reception was not about politics and personalities but about recognition and respect for you as our current champion and the others as our past champions. You have done (and continue to do) Bermuda proud and you deserve all the accolades.
I look forward to a sellout crowd at the Berkeley on March 10th and for Bermuda to once again celebrate your victory.