TRINIDAD and Tobago’s amateur boxer Andrew Fermin was scheduled to contest for a gold medal at the CAC Games in Puerto Rico last night. By virtue of his performances to date, Fermin was assured of a silver medal. The young boxer is attached to the Defence Force and is trained by Reynold Cox and is the only Trinidad and Tobago boxer to reach the finals at the CAC Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

Bronze medals were also earned by Tariq Haqq.

The results show that the boxers who are individually trained have done much better than those under Vincente Martinez of the Cosmic Boxing Gym in Marabella.

In the past Kertson Manswell, who earned a silver medal at a Commonwealth Games, was trained by Winston Cox and Gordon Hoyte. However, Cuba-born Martinez was the one allowed to travel with Manswell to the Games to work his corner and got all the kudos for the boxer’s accomplishment.

Local coaches are now saying that they are fed up of the shabby treatment given to them by the ABA after they have expertly prepared their boxers.

“At the last minute the ABA takes our fighters, put them in a camp for a week and then Martinez is the one who travels with them to the Games,” said an angry coach.

He requested anonymity since he said he depended on the ABA for a monthly stipend to coach his club and that his criticism could result in him being victimised by the ABA.

The coaches stated that every effort must be made to prevent Martinez from taking centre stage when the boxers return home since he had not contributed to whatever they achieved in Puerto Rico.

They threatened to speak out speak out against their goodwill being taken away from them claiming the ABA has ignire their efforts and berated them in a manner to highlight Martinez.

“We are saying that we can do a much better job than that of Martinez and we are going to ask the new administration to assist us in obtaining the respect we so duely deserve as trainers. We don’t want anyone stealing highlights from us after we have prepared our fighters, this is extremely unfair,” said a spokesman for the coaches.

They gave Fermin their full support and expressed confidence that he will bring home to Trinidad and Tobago the first ever CAC gold medal.

“We recognise that the journey has now started because after the CAC Games we would have to raise the stake to Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, World Games, Olympic Games and then the WBC and WBA World Titles.

“We recognise we have to work much harder to reach these goals and should we be given the assistance without the hindrance of the ABA these goals are attainable,” the coaches said.