Latest update April 23rd, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 13, 2008 Sports
By Michael Benjamin
There comes a time in every boxer’s life when he is truly tested. The direction of his career depends greatly on how he responds to that test. When Winston Pompey signed a contract to oppose Rawle Frank, he must have known that this would have been a career- defining affair. Frank is no slouch, having engaged the best during more than twenty years of fistic excellence.
Frank is an experienced pugilist and come October 25 Pompey will be required to dig into his reserves to conquer the old veteran. Pompey, for his part, has also been engaged in intense training sessions.
This fight will either make or break him. A fighter of immense ability, Pompey is yet to tap the vast resources that lie behind his calm outward disposition. He ought to know that this is the fight will define the direction of his career and answer the many questions on his supporters’ lips.
Yesterday morning Kaieteur Sport caught up with Pompey as he went through his paces in the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Albouystown. The young boxer is respectful of Frank’s ability but here is where the admiration stops.
“Rawle is a great fighter but I have studied his style and discovered that his legwork is suspect so my coaches have devised a way to counteract this weakness,” Pompey revealed. He said that he is concentrating on variation of movement to capitalize on this weakness.
Indeed, the rangy Pompey seems bent on carting off the honours come this month end. There is no paucity of sparring partners and his coaches, Lennox ‘Cappel’ Daniels and Brian Barker are pushing him to the limit.
During sparring sessions four boxers of varying poundage tested his mettle. Middleweights, “Deadly” Denny Dalton and Eversley Brown, featherweight Leon Moore, and lightweight Cecil Smith were extremely tough on him, yet he withstood the pressure and obediently stuck to a game plan of alternately mixing boxing ability with rugged fighting.
As ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton unleashed a two-fisted attack, Pompey defended and retaliated with jabs that kept the shorter Dalton at bay.
“This is one of the ploys that we will be engaging against Frank,” said Barker. “Winston is the underdog and he will have to work very hard to overcome Frank, but we are confident that he can do it,” Barker continued.
But what exactly is the game plan? “We intend to apply severe pressure on Rawle Frank. He doesn’t respond well to pressure so we are taking him through the mill.” Daniels chipped in.
But can Pompey take a decent punch? “Of course he can!” Barker assured. “Lennox Alleyne unleashed several testing punches that landed on his chin but was unable to shift him.” Barker also intimated that Pompey is also good at applying pressure. “Frank is in for some surprises,” he concluded.
Apart from Dalton, the other members of the sparring team attempted to penetrate Pompey’s defence. Brown ripped some combinations at his highly held guard. Pompey blocked and retaliated with several power punches of his own. This produced satisfied nods from Daniels who is watching his charge’s every move.
“Winston is coming around nicely. The important thing is that he is not afraid of Frank,” Daniels stated.
Daniels is also addressing the technical aspects of the training programme. He intimated that he had recently acquired a tape of Frank’s most recent fight and is really studying it.
“Frank is an old fighter and there is nothing new that he can bring to this fight,” Daniels said. He also said that it is extremely important that Pompey enter the fray at his best condition so as a part of his regimen he (Daniels) has intensified the weight training and other strength work to maximize his charge’s chances of pulling off an upset.
However, Daniels admitted that Frank is more skillful than Pompey. He said that Pompey is being taught to deal with this aspect of the fight by lengthy sessions of school boxing.
Pompey’s other coach, Barker, also cited some of the imminent challenges Pompey ought to be cognizant of. “Frank is a seasoned fighter so he is ring smart but we are presently preparing Pompey for these mental challenges,” he said.
Asked to make a prediction both coaches and fighter were very cagey. Pompey said, “The fight will go the distance but I will win.” Barker said, “I envisage a good fight with Pompey coming out victorious.” Daniels is also confident of a Pompey victory.
Both fighters are engaged in rigorous training sessions. Frank will soon be in Guyana so that fans can judge for themselves. At present he is operating out of the Jackie Gleasons Gym, Brooklyn. There can only be one winner. Who will it be?
Boxing buffs may visit the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym, Albouystown to have a glimpse of Pompey going through his routine at 16:00hrs weekdays. They can then make informed choices regarding a winner. Frank is expected in Guyana within the next week.
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