Boxing great dies of heart attack

He was a Trinidadian by nationality, but during the late 1970s and early 80s there was not a Belizean who didn’t claim him as our own. Fitzroy Guisseppi, the boxer who achieved his greatest glory in Belize, died on Saturday night in Jamaica. The fifty-five year old suffered an apparent heart attack while watching a boxing match. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods spoke to a number of those who were close to him.

Carlton Bowers, Former Welter Weight Champion

“All those Mexicans come in real good shape, but when Guisseppi start to work, the way Guisseppi kept his body in shape, he disposed of them and they said that Guisseppi was the greatest fighter that they ever see pass through Belize.”

James Adderley, Friend/Sportscaster

“In the 70s, he was the darling, the idol of Belizean of boxing, and although he was not born in this country, he certainly represented the best in this country in boxing at that time.”

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

On February nineteenth, 1979, Guisseppi earned his place in history when he beat Panamanian Luis “Lagunita” Rodriguez for the Central American and Caribbean Junior Welterweight Championship. The packed house at Bird’s Isle went crazy when the T.K.O. was announced, and few present on that day will ever for get the excitement. But one year later, Guisseppi was defeated by Belizean Carlton Bowers for the Belize Welterweight title.

Carlton Bowers

“Going up against Fitzroy Guisseppi was a hard task, but I get in good shape and I went up country and doing my running and things and doing a lot of resting, because I know that I would be fighting a great fighter.”

In a subsequent match, Bowers lost the tile to Guisseppi. Today, former boxers remember Fitzroy as a great motivator and asset to the sport in Belize.

Edward N. Orosco, Former Boxer

“Fitzroy Guisseppi was in a class by himself among the local fighters in Belize. He was one of the best. He had taught a lot of fighters, motivated them and helped them to grow above the standard of fighting in Belize.”

Hildebrant Lynch, Former Middle Weight boxer

“Well, I liked him because he was a very good fighter, very strong. I used to work with him at the Independence Gym. He fight very strong, got heavy punches, he was a very good guy. I wanted to spar the man, but I realise he was too much for me, so I never get my chance to spar with him. I sparred with him once and I feel the impact and the man was too much for me.”

James Adderley

“He came at a time when the skill level in boxing was on the decline and he was able to turn this around. He led by example.”

Guisseppi’s professional career ended in 1985. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.

Up until the time of his death, Guisseppi worked as a trainer at the Stanley Couch Gym in Kingston, Jamaica.