Guyana’s former world-rated boxer Patrick Forde passes away

TIMES INT'L

News of the death of Patrick Forde, one of the early trail-blazers for Guyana in the boxing world, took many by surprise. In the following text, Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony extends condolences to Forde’s relatives, friends and the boxing fraternity of Guyana: The news of the passing of the relatively young, former Boxing Champion, Patrick Forde of Guyana, caught us at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport by shocked surprise.

The Ministry, therefore, hastens to send its condolences to the relatives, friends and sporting colleagues of the former champion. This loss, though seemingly much too early, can be assuaged by the fact that Patrick showered himself in glory at an early age and, in so doing, through the fistic sport of boxing, catapulted Guyana onto the international scene, thus sharing his feats and honour with the nation. His memorable championship fight against Salvador Sanchez in San Antonio Texas in 1980 left many wondering why the Third World boxer was not the victor of the WBC Featherweight title that night.

The first to fight for and win titles wrapped in the independent Golden Arrowhead Patrick had also held titles from the Commonwealth and FECABOA. Boxing analysts, journalists and fans alike speak of Forde’s finesse in the ring, which earned him both adulation and titles.

The Ministry salutes this fallen hero who helped to put post-Republican Guyana on the world’s sporting map, and continued to use his retirement in the U.S. A. to assist young boxers and set other precedents.

Those precedents included the inspiration to Heads of State of Guyana to reward adequately top sporting achievers at the international level and the catalyst who influenced local boxers to reach for excellence and worldwide recognition in the sport.

May the soul of Patrick Forde rest in peace.

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