Source: www.newsday.co.tt
By JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH 
Local middle-weight boxer Andrew Fermin left for Cuba yesterday to resume his sparring training in preparation for a tight schedule of tournaments and Olympic qualifiers over the next few months.
Fermin will be in Cuba for the next two weeks as he seeks to improve on his current form before these top international tournaments.
His first challenge is the third and final qualifiers for the 2011 Pan American Games scheduled for July 1 - 8.
The 26-year-old is in a confident mood and is pleased by his recent form in the ring.
“I’m confident that I will make it into this year’s Pan Am Games. I personally think that right now my boxing is of a good standard but I will continue to work at it and further develop myself. I’ve been burning some hours practicing in the ring, but my coach and I see it necessary for us to go to Cuba to work on my sparring a bit more,” stated Fermin.
Since November of last year, the Defence Force private has been training tirelessly to stay fit and keep abreast in his boxing category. He has been further developing his fighting style by experimenting with some new and varied forms of boxing. Fermin has also put much effort into his physical fitness and is goal bound on keeping his energy levels at the maximum.
“I’ve been keeping myself pumped. I have also tried to vary my style of fighting in the ring by trying out some new moves. My coach has been very particular with me throwing more punches and being a more aggressive fighter. I think my chances at the final Pan Am qualifiers are good,” continued Fermin.
On July 1, the Siparia-bred boxer will fly directly from training in Cuba to Panama, to compete in the qualifier. Two weeks after, he flies to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to compete in this year’s International World Military Games (July 18-24). This tournament consists of military fighters from all across the globe competing for top honours in their respective fighting-style and weight categories. After these meets, the 2010 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) silver medalist will have a month’s rest to recover and fine-tune his boxing before he participates in the World Senior Championships, Azerbaijan, from September 18-30. These championships are also a qualifier for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Fermin’s coach, Reynold Cox also expressed his confidence in the TT fighter and believes sparring practice in Cuba is essential.
“I want Andrew to do a little more work in the ring. Throw some more punches and further develop his all-round abilities. He gave good performances in the last two Pan Am qualifiers and will seek to capitalise on his recent positive mind-set and agility in the ring,” mentioned Cox.
“We are focusing on what lies ahead, but as you can see it’s a very tight schedule we’ll be working with over the next couple months. He has a good chance of advancing to the Pan Am since most of the top fighters have already qualified. The World Senior Championships is a major event and we will put much time into proper preparation into achieving hopefully an Olympic spot, added Fermin’s coach.
Also joining Fermin in Panama from July 1 is local boxer Aaron Prince. He is a 2010 CAC bronze medallist and will be competing in the 59 kilogramme Welter-weight division. Two female fighters, Jamila Jones and Chimire Taylor, are also expected to join Fermin and Prince. Jones and Taylor will have to undergo some fitness tests and evaluations before they are officially selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Pan Am Games.