GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – History will be made Saturday night under the lights in Guyana as Elton “The Bully” Dharry takes on Tanzania’s unbeaten Salmin Kassim for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Bantamweight World Title.
The main event marks the first male world title fight ever staged on Guyanese soil. The last world championship contest held in the country was back in 2009, when Shondell Alfred defeated Corinne DeGroot for the WIBA Bantamweight crown at the Princess Hotel.
For the 40-year-old Dharry, the opportunity represents far more than a belt. Victory would elevate him into the company of Guyana’s greatest boxing icons, the late Andrew Lewis, Wayne Braithwaite, Vivian Harris, and Gary Sinclair, all of whom have delivered world titles to this boxing-loving nation.
Dharry enters the ring as a seasoned campaigner with a professional record of 30 wins (17 knockouts) against six losses.
More importantly, he rides a wave of momentum from six consecutive victories, including a convincing unanimous decision over Roger Saldana in his last outing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
That run has seen him capture both the WBC International Super Flyweight title and the WBA Super Flyweight Gold belt.
This marks Dharry’s second shot at a world crown. His previous attempt against Australian Andrew Moloney for the WBA Super Flyweight title ended controversially.
Standing in his path is 22-year-old Tanzanian Salmin Kassim, young, hungry, and unbeaten in 12 professional fights (10 wins, two draws). Kassim arrives brimming with confidence following a second-round knockout victory in December and will be eager to spoil the homecoming celebration.
Ahead of the bout, President Irfaan Ali was seen sharing a light moment with both fighters, underscoring the national significance of the evening.
and then 