By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE some opposition to his election as the president of the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Association, veteran boxing personality Pat 'the Centreville Assassin' Strachan feels that Vincent Strachan is the best man to lead the resurgence of the sport.

During the association's annual general meeting and election of officers on Saturday, April 21, Vincent Strachan won 7-3 over incumbent assistant secretary Ikana Johnson to replace Wellington Miller, who opted not to seek another term in office. Michelle Minus, another potential candidate, had her application denied and wasn't able to participate in the process.

Pat Strachan, one of the most prolific boxers the country has ever seen, said he doesn't understand what all the fuss is about and called on everybody to rally behind Vincent Strachan and help to revive the sport, which has seen a decline over the past year or so.

"I would like for all persons involved in boxing to let bygones be bygones and come on board and help support this new administration headed by Vincent Strachan," Pat Strachan said. "We're doing this for the amateur boxers. It's nothing personal with us. I think we need to let bygones be bygones.

"Vincent has been around boxing for 40-plus years. He's been president before and I think he has a contribution to make. I met with him and he has articulated a bold and aggressive agenda for amateur boxing and for the country. So I want to encourage him. I know there were some things said by the persons who were running against him. But let's put all this aside and work towards a common good for the sport."

From where he sits looking in, Pat Strachan said the sport needs an infusion and a leader who is willing to get all of the factions together, including Ray Minus Jr, Stevie 'the Heat' Larrimore, Quincy 'Thrill-A-Minute' Pratt, Johnson, Minus and all other personalities with boxing at heart.

"There needs to be a unity in the sport of amateur boxing because there's been a split for a while," Pat Strachan noted. "I think once we can get everybody back on board and support the new administration, we can see the sport take off and soar to new heights again."

Other members of the board are Sherman Johnson as first vice president, veteran coach Locksley Johnson as second vice president, Alene Rodgers as secretary general, Wellington Smith as treasurer and Anstisa Knowles from Lowe Sound, Andros, as the assistant secretary/treasurer.

Pat Strachan recommended to Vincent Strachan to firstly "reach out to those persons who ran against him to offer an olive branch and to personally visit all of the clubs and with their trainers and ask for their support and give his support as they show a unified front.