Video: Sports Minister, Woolridge & Perozzi

Good Afternoon and Welcome,

As the Minister responsible for Sports, it is my distinct pleasure to join our World Boxing Champion, Teresa Perozzi, who will be competing in the WBC & WBA World Middleweight Championship Boxing – All or Nothing event this Saturday October 13th 2012.

We were thrilled when Teresa first won the World Boxing Association Middleweight Championship of the World in late 2011 and then successfully defended her newly attained WBA title in March 2012 in Bermuda. As a small island in the middle of the Atlantic, it is natural that we are especially proud of the fact that one of our own possesses a world-renowned and respected WBA title. Especially when the list of other notable WBC and WBA champions includes Muhammad Ali, Laila Ali, Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

So, as Teresa vies for another prestigious World Boxing Council title in Bermuda this Saturday at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, I encourage everyone to come out and support her in a way that only Bermudians can.

Teresa will be fighting America’s undefeated and Number 1 seeded, Tori Nelson, and if she is successful in attaining the WBC title, she will possess the top 2 titles in boxing which will truly put her on top of the boxing world and again put Bermuda ‘on the world map’.

Those of you who were fortunate to be on hand during Teresa’s last bout in March will remember how spectacular her entrance into the ring was, when she was led by a Gombey troope. On Saturday, we will again witness Teresa being led into the ring by a Gombey troope called the Gombey Warriors (which is kind of special since that was actually Troy Darrell’s ring name when he fought as a pro for Bermuda). We have no doubt that her opponent will feel the true Bermuda spirit and Bermuda’s support for our boxing warrior.

I personally remember Teresa’s unwavering determination at her last fight. She stood toe to toe with her opponent in that ring and time and time again demonstrated that her training, patience and tremendous fighting spirit were a formidable combination. We were overjoyed as she dismantled her opponent, round by round, and achieved a spectacular and convincing victory.

I remember sharing my sense of jubilation, joy and pride with all of my fellow Bermudians in the audience, and all of us agreed that what we had witnessed was truly inspiring and historical.

Now Teresa is again putting her WBA belt on the line but I have no doubt that she is indeed well-prepared for the challenge. I am looking forward to again witnessing our champion’s superior firepower, steely determination and gritty spirit.

Teresa, on behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, know that we will be cheering for you as you represent Bermuda in what we hope will be another historic victory for you, for Bermuda and for your supporters, family and friends.

While I am pleased to especially express support for Teresa, I would be remiss if I did not also extend very best wishes to the all the other boxing and kick-boxing competitors in Saturday night’s ‘All or Nothing’ Championship Boxing Event. On the top of the under-card, Bermuda’s Sentwali Woolridge will be kick-boxing for 5 rounds against Canada’s Daniel Kechego for the AMTAC Intercontinental Middleweight Title. In the other major under-card, professional boxer Jennifer Salinas of Bolivia will take on Karen Dulin of USA in 6 rounds.

Some of Bermuda’s up and coming boxers will compete in the amateur boxing bouts and include Danzil Smith, Jared Jiminez, Steven Wright, Deondre Burgess, Chris Wilson and Shannon Ford. The K-1 kick-boxing competitions will feature Bermudians Khalid Pitcher, Corey Boyce, Jeron Gunness, Reyel Bowen and Samir Furqan. I wish all of these young men well as they proudly represent Bermuda on Saturday night.

In closing, I again invite and encourage everyone to come out to support Our World Champion, Teresa Perozzi and all our other local participants in this premier event on Saturday. The fact that Teresa will defend her WBA title and attempt to win the prestigious WBC title is history in itself. Now we must all get behind Teresa so that she records a glorious victory on Saturday night.

Thank you.

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