Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 24, 2011 Sports
Linden ‘Buckman’ Mortley lay serene and saintly in the casket while all around the tears flowed freely. Somewhere in the background Luciana crooned away the fitting song, “Woke up early this morning to the sound of crying yet another woman shedding her tears …..”
A large crowd that included some of Mortley’s boxing colleagues, family members and other mourners congregated at the former boxer’s Sussex Street home to pay their last respects to the fallen pugilist. Many openly voiced their despair at the sordid state of affairs where lives are lost by the executioner’s bullet yet justice appears non-existent. Those with a fertile mind expounded on several theories and even pointed accusing fingers in a particular direction. Those that knew ‘Buckman’ during his heydays in the ‘square jungle’ fondly reminisced of those days while pointedly ignoring the adverse comments emanating from the naysayer.
Mortley was gunned down on Sunday 15 May by the Old Busta Company and the police have launched an investigation as they attempt to ascertain the reasons for the killing or the perpetrators of the dastardly deed.
After a short ceremony at the Sandy’s Funeral Parlour Mortley’s remains were transported to his residence for some two hours before heading for the Church and subsequently to the Le Repentir Cemetery where he was interred.
Mortley commenced his professional career on Boxing Day of 1985 as a flyweight on a losing note against Winston Goodridge but returned to avenge that loss eight months later but this time in the bantamweight division. He fought Briggs thrice, winning twice and losing the other.
He also defeated Fitzroy ‘Monkey Man’ Davidson, Barbadian Angus Alleyne and the now deceased Lancelot Cyrus. He dropped a points decision to Bajan, Ed Pollard and further lost his first attempt at the local junior/welterweight title to Eon Bancroft in January 1992. He was to avenge that loss three months later against the same opponent. Mortley then traveled to France in October 1992 for a bout against Valery Kayumba and was knocked out in the second round.
When Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas relieved him of the local crown one year later, in September 1993, Mortley decided that he had had enough in the square jungle. His demise will now be added to the long list of unsolved murders even as one contemplates Luciana’s rendition, “How many more must carry this load?” The entire boxing community mourns his untimely death.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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