Kirt Sinnette, right, in action

Outstanding T&T boxer Kirt Sinnette is anxious to prove this weekend he is better than the Bahamian Jermaine Mackey when the two clash in a super middleweight title rematch. Mackey handed Sinnette his only professional defeat when the two met in Nassau in June 2007, a result Sinnette blamed on defensive carelessness on his part. The 35-year-old Trinidadian declared himself Wednesday the superior boxer and is anxious to prove it on Saturday night. “I know that I am better than he is,” Sinnette told CMC Sport on yesterday morning. For Saturday night’s bout at the Woodbrook Indoor Facility, the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) FedeLatin title will be at stake. “I feel great, it has been a rematch that is overdue.

“Caribbean boxing fans were longing for this bout and it is a pleasure for me to have this rematch,” Sinnette added. In their first meeting two-and-a-half years ago, Sinnette had started well and appeared to have the edge until Mackey connected with a powerful left hook that floored the T&T boxer and ended the bout at one minute, 54 seconds of round two. “I think I understand my mistake in the first fight and it will be corrected in this fight,” Sinnette said. Both boxers are former standout amateurs and captured Caribbean Amateur Boxing Association (CABA) Boxer of the Tournament awards.

Mackey, slated to arrive last night, advanced his career after his win over Sinnette. He went on to capture the Commonwealth title—beating Nigerian Michael Gbenga in July 2008—but was stripped of that belt after a loss to Canada-based Haitian Adonis Stevenson in September. Sinnette said his strategy for the bout will be similar to the first contest with more emphasis on his defence. “The approach to the fight remains the same as the first fight except I will be careful not to make the technical mistake I made in that second round,” he said. Mackie, 29, has a ring record of 18 wins (14 knockouts) against four defeats and Sinnette has 18 wins, with 14 knockouts, against one loss.