Boxing: Lennox Allen Prepares for a Belt in His Hometown of Georgetown, Guyana

Deep within the skyscrapers of the financial district in New York City, sits Trinity Boxing Gym on Greenwich Street. There you will find a wide range of professional boxers, business men taking their aggression out due to the financial crisis or your average person trying to shed a little holiday weight from 2009. 

One professional boxer in particular has caught the eye of many boxing enthusiasts, media and promoters. Lennox "2 Sharp" Allen (14-0-1, 9 TKOs), a 25-year-old native from Guyana is looking to stay undefeated when he returns home to Guyana for the first time since 2009.

There, he will face Kwesi Jones (7-1, 4 TKOs) also a fellow native of Guyana, for the rights to the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super middleweight title this coming weekend.

Allen was a natural born standout amateur boxer in his homeland with 42 bouts, before turning pro in 2004. After turning pro, Allen went on the road to fight in Australia, Indonesia, Upstate New York and back in Guyana.

He then went on to become Bernard Hopkins' sparring partner.

Allen is lanky at 6'1'', 177 pounds, with a frame that will give you second thoughts about getting in the ring. He has the ability to fight from welterweight to super middleweight. Oh, I forgot to mention, he is a southpaw too. 

In 2010, Allen came to the US and began training in New York City with trainer Colin Morgan at Trinity. Under the vision of Morgan, Allen signed with Boxing 360 (www.boxing360.com) and kept his winning streak in tacked. 

Before Allen took off for his trip back home, I was able to catch Allen at Trinity.

Mr.Sports Geek: Your were the sparring partner of Bernard Hopkins, what was that experience like?

Lennox Allen: Working with Bernard was one of the best opportunities for me and I learned so much. He is one of the smartest boxers in the sport. It helped me so much with my boxing career.

M.S.G. You haven't fought at home in Guyana since 2009, what is it like to box in your hometown and how nervous are you leading up to the fight?

L.A. Oh man, I'm a little nervous. Boxing in your hometown everyone expects a lot from you and you don't want to disappoint the fans. The reason why I am working so hard for this fight, is because everyone is expecting a lot. It's a motivation tool. 

M.S.G Heading into a big fight like this, how do you stay out of your head and keep yourself calm?

L.A. I take deep breaths! I working on my breathing and it keeps me calm.

M.S.G. Any superstitions or routines the day before or the day of the fight?

L.A. People have a lot of stuff they do before a fight. I have a friend who doesn't buy his own boxing sneakers, he has someone else buy his sneakers before the fight. I really don't believe in superstitions. I just believe in hard work and God. 

M.S.G. Five days until your fight, what is your training like now? Are you winding down or still going strong? 

L.A. Right now, it's crush time and I am still going strong. I am keeping sharp by doing a couple rounds of shadowing boxing. Also maintaining my weight. 

M.S.G. What are you weighing in these days?

L.A. I am at 172 right now.

M.S.G. This fight is for the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) super middleweight title, do you add more pressure to yourself compare to other fights since this is for a belt?

L.A. No, not really. I just need to be me and not get caught up in the hype. Need to stay focused and execute.

M.S.G. Do you have a strategy for Kewsi Jones?

L.A. I've been back home and have seen him fight twice. I know what to expect. He is a very young fighter, very strong, just like me. He is more of a technical fighter. 

M.S.G. Okay, prediction time, how will this fight turn out?

L.A. [Laughing] Everyone in the media has been asking me that. I would say eight rounds. By the eighth round, I will be breaking him down. 

After spending a little time with Allen, Boxing 360 is spot on when describing this young fighter:"The sky is truly the limit for this young exciting talent." 

Notes:

• Allen is currently Guyana's number one ranked super middleweight.
• Rated No. 9 by the USBA and No. 16 by the NABF.
• Captured the New York State super middleweight crown last November with a TKO in the seventh round vs. Nick Brinson.