Interviews with boxers Andrique Allisop and Keddy Agnes who are expected to go professional later this year |12 July 2016
Seychellois boxers happy to go pro
Seychelles NATION newspaper recently learned that two of our top local boxers will be making history for Seychelles as they will become the very first Seychellois professional fighters, once the Olympic Games are over.
We spoke to 23-year-old Andrique Allisop and 22-year-old Keddy Agnes about this new development and how they expect to make an impact in this new stage of their career.
Both Allisop and Agnes are expected to train in Normandie, France and also take classes to become coaches in the future.
‘I have always wanted to be a professional boxer’ – Allisop
Seychelles NATION: First of all, how do feel about being a professional boxer?
Allisop: To get this chance will be a dream come true as I have always wanted to be a professional boxer. I have been an amateur boxer for 10 years now and I think it’s the right time to make the step up.
Seychelles NATION: Now that you will be boxing professionally, how do you feel about the IOC allowing professional boxers to compete at the Olympic Games?
Allisop: Well, before I was disappointed with this decision, but now I have to get used to it as in other sports, such as athletics and basketball, professional athletes are allowed to compete. So why not boxing as well? Anyway, in boxing you cannot think that just because someone is a professional it means he is going to beat you, it’s all about training and your state of mind.
Seychelles NATION: How do you feel about making the step up to professional boxing?
Allisop: I have a competition which I’m going to take part in soon and I hope it can boost me up a bit and then I just want to continue with training and take it to a higher level.
Seychelles NATION: What do you feel you will need to succeed at professional level?
Allisop: Well, we will need to improve our training a lot and compete in more international competitions and training camps. At the moment we do not have many sparring partners and also we need to work more on endurance and stamina as professionals fight for many more rounds.
Seychelles NATION: You will be one of the first Seychellois professional boxers, how do you think this will help boxing locally and other sports as well?
Allisop: It will definitely help in some sense as looking at the youths who are coming up, they only compete at amateur level, but when they look at us now they will see that they can also take that step forward and be professionals in their respective sports.
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‘This level really demands a lot of intensive training’ – Agnes
Seychelles NATION: As you head into professional boxing, what are your thoughts on the issue of allowing professional boxers at the Olympic Games?
Keddy Agnes: Well, for me I honestly think that professionals are at another level and they already have various advantages compared to the amateurs. So they should give the opportunity to the amateurs at the Olympics. I don’t think it’s good for them to compete at the Olympics.
Seychelles NATION: What do you think you will need to succeed at professional level?
Keddy Agnes: This level really demands a lot of time in intensive training as it is not easy, although not impossible. But it will be tough as it is not the same as amateur level.
Seychelles NATION: How do you feel your being a professional boxer will help Seychelles’ sports?
Keddy Agnes: Well, I think it will help local sports a lot as this is a rare chance and for me it is something very positive for the future of sports in Seychelles.
Seychelles NATION: While you will be making it to professional level, do you feel there are younger boxers who can also achieve this feat?
Keddy Agnes: Yeah, they definitely can as I was at their level once and I managed it. I want to thank all former boxers who have helped me. I would not have got where I am without them.
Seychelles NATION: What do you feel the younger upcoming boxers need in order to succeed?
Keddy Agnes: Well, they need to be serious in training and have the passion to win and they will succeed.
Seychelles NATION: Finally, your colleague Andrique will be competing at the Olympics later this year, how do you feel about his chances?
Keddy Agnes: Well, it’s all about the draw. If Andrique gets a good draw early on then I really think he will do well.
S. N.