Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 02, 2012 Sports
By Michael Benjamin
On a night of fistic fury, when three boxers failed to make it to the final bell, Guyana’s welterweight champion, Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore survived a stern test against a game contender, Mark Austin, to retain his title when the curtains came down on November edition of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) Friday Night Fights at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Friday evening last.
Richard Williamson was in devastating form in the main supporting bout, disposing of Rudolph Fraser in 15secs of the 4th round of their featherweight duel, while Kishawn Simon forced the referee to
halt his catchweight contest against Patrick Boston in 1:53secs of the 4th stanza. Gladwin Dorway was also in a no nonsense mood and needed just 1:20 of the 2nd round to convince Cassius Matthews that he was in the wrong place, taking their jnr/welterweight bout with relative ease.
Austin defied the conventional views of ring rust and started the bout at a fast clip, a vastly different approach to Azore who took all but half of the round to assert himself. When he eventually did, he unleashed a volley that pushed Austin back into the blue corner. Azore lashed out and though the punches were poorly timed, he stayed ahead and after a fierce attack, sent Austin through the ropes and onto the apron. Though not seriously hurt, Austin received a mandatory 8 count from referee Eion Jardine. Both pugilists enjoyed bright moments even though the action slowed in round two.
The fighters failed to replicate the fierce exchanges of the first round with each doing just enough to stay ahead in the third stanza. Azore began to take control in the fourth round with several stinging exchanges that forced Austin to cover up. He reasserted himself near the end of the round and stitched in several right crosses but though his efforts might have closed the gap, he clearly dropped this round. Continuing where he had left off in the preceding round, Azore punched and was out of range before Austin retaliated. His punches were crisp but he faltered again when he allowed Austin to come back strongly near the bell and closed the gap.
Azore changed tactics at the start of the sixth stanza, punching and moving but Austin blocked up shortly before surging forward with punches of his own.
The effects of Azore’s punches began to take a toll on Austin and he sported bruises to his left eye. He upped the pace shortly after the start of the sixth round but just when he seemed to have his man in trouble, he inexplicably backed off giving Azore a welcome reprieve. Azore scored at will but Austin reasserted himself and the two engaged in a nice toe to toe confrontation that delighted the crowd. When the bell sounded Austin was on top after backing up Azore to the ropes with several ramrod offerings.
Austin seemed to have found a second wind at the start of the 7th round, landing uppercuts and hooks that had his man blocking up. Azore squirmed out of trouble but not for long as a persistent Austin caught up with him and delivered some punishing blows just before the bell. Both boxers enjoyed fair exchanges in the eighth round with first Austin and then Azore enjoying the advantage. Azore then began to fade and Austin took advantage, reeling off several combinations that undoubtedly gave him the round.
Austin stepped on the gas in round ten and though forced to peer through a swollen right eye, managed to stay ahead after landing several right crosses. Azore sought refuge behind high guards, all to no avail as Austin’s sharp punches breached his defence. Azore’s second wind kicked in around the penultimate round when he attacked with gusto. He landed several volleys but Austin was also in full flow and matched his blows. Azore continued to attack and by the time the bell had sounded, had transformed Austin’s face to a bloody mess. Azore pummeled Austin early in the final round and when the blood started to flow once again, the referee summoned the doctor who, after a cursory inspection, gave the bout the green light. Thereafter both pugilists went after each other until the bell sounded. The crowd remained divided over the winner until the judges’ scores were announced. Francis Abraham and Clairmont DeSouza saw it 114-113 and 115-112 respectively in favour of Azore, while Carlton Hopkinson concurred with a score of 116-111.
The crowd greeted the decision with mixed reactions with many once again questioning the authenticity of the judging system.
Fraser spent most of the first round blocking up from a sustained volley of punches from Williamson with the referee inexplicably allowing the bout on without administering the mandatory count. Williamson continued to pummel Fraser in round two and the former fighter held a high guard while crouching in the neutral corner. Fraser got his rhythm in the second round and served up a heaped portion of hooks and crosses that pushed his younger opponent backwards which clearly earned Fraser the round.
Despite such aggression, Fraser was certainly experiencing problems getting a rhythm yet he managed to stay in contention with several jabs and crosses. The boxers engaged in stiff rivalry at the start of the fourth round but it was Williamson who appeared to be on top. Fraser then launched an attack but Williamson met him head and connected with a ‘blinder’ to Frasers jaw and gravity took over. He crashed to the canvass and even before the referee commenced the count it was evident that he was in no shape to continue. To his credit Fraser did attempt to reenter the fray but his legs refused to cooperate and the referee waved it off at 15secs of the fourth stanza.
Boston managed to add another loss to his career which suggested immaculate consistency. Simon, a professional of just two fights lacked proper timings but made up for that deficiency with guts and aggression. He pummeled Boston who started the bout aggressively with several crosses and uppercuts. Both boxers threw wild punches in the second stanza but kept the referee busy after engaging in clinches. The third round was a replica of the second with both boxers persistently holding and raising the ire of the third man. Consequently, both received warnings for using rabbit punches in the initial part of the fourth round shortly before Simon surged ahead with a four punch volley that had his opponent covering up. The referee tore them apart and issued the command to resume; Simon waded in and landed several unanswered punches forcing the third man to halt the proceedings at 1:53secs of the 4th frame.
Once again, the supporters showed their exasperation at the poor showing of some of the boxers and what they perceive to be biased officiating. The three knockouts might just have endorsed their claims while the mixed reactions and harsh comments after the Azore/Austin bout may just cause a bit of worry for the administrators who have been encountering enormous challenges wooing patrons to the cards.
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