Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:57 AM
Jan 31, 2010 Sports
– O’Neil spoils ‘The Spoiler’
Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil defied her skeptics, returning from a lengthy lay off to dish out a ‘New Year’s Beating’ to Sharon ‘The Spoiler’ Ward when the two fighters clashed in the main bout of the Holland’s Enterprise Promotions boxing card, dubbed ‘New Year’s Beatings,’ at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Friday evening last.
Mitchell Rogers lived up to his pre-fight boast and steamrolled Anthony Augustin in their 6 rounds non-title heavyweight affair while Iwan Azore scored a unanimous verdict over Laurex Benn. Clive Atwell launched his professional career on a successful note with a second round knockout over Charlton Skeete.
The O’Neil/Ward bout was billed as the feature attraction but it was Rogers and Augustin that provided pulsating entertainment that had the sparse crowd on its feet for the entire five rounds.
The fight had all the ingredients of Iraqi warfare with the two principals unleashing atomic bombs at each other’s body and head and it was surprising that they were still standing at the end of the bout.
Punches reigned supreme as both boxers went after each other at the sound of the fist gong. Mitchell took the initiative in the early stages of that round, connecting with crunching head shots and vicious body blows. Augustin eventually got into the act about midway of the first frame and backed Rogers to the ropes with a wicked onslaught. This pattern continued up to the bell and the small crowd settled down for the treat at hand.
Intent on establishing dominance, both boxers went after each other at the start of the second round. They remained locked in toe to toe combat with no quarters asked and none given. Rogers unleashed a wicked four punch combination that sent Augustin reeling into the ropes. The stocky Augustin took it like a man and retaliated with several salvoes of his own. Both fighters had their moments in the sun, slamming vicious blows into each other’s body and head. The bell was the only mediating force.
As the bell sounded to signal the start of the third stanza sounded, Augustin rushed out and unleashed a vicious straight right to Rogers’ midriff. Despite sporting a physique like Hollywood movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rogers was clearly hurt and chose to get on his bicycle. Thereafter, the local light/heavyweight champion wisely resorted to hit and move tactics. It seemed to be working since most of Augustin’s shots were landing in mid air.
Round four was by far Rogers’ best. He ignored several haymakers thrown by Augustin and lashed out at his opponent’s midriff. The crowd roared as Augustin matched his opponent’s aggression. It proved to be his undoing as Rogers lashed out with a roundhouse right and down went Augustin. He managed to beat the count and return to the fray but was met by several punishing shots, one of them sending his mouthpiece flying. Clearly in trouble, Augustin must have breathed a sigh of relief when the bell sounded shortly after.
The effects of Rogers’ onslaught began to show in the fifth stanza with Augustin, sporting a little ‘egg’ under his right eye, evidence of the torrid time he was having in the ‘square jungle.’ If he was looking for sympathy from the rampaging Rogers, he got none. Instead, Rogers increased the volume of punches and had Augustin swaying. As the seconds wound down, Rogers aimed an uppercut at Augustin’s body. The force of the blow forced the air from between Augustin’s lips and he emitted a bloodcurdling groan. The outcry failed to elicit any sympathy from Rogers who ended the fight as he had started — in a vengeful mood. Judge Carlton Hopkinson saw it 59-54, the same as Bernard DeSantos. Orrin Hart scored the bout 59-55, all in favour of Rogers.
For Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil, it was literally a walk in the park as she bullied Ward into submission. Weighing in at 194 to Ward’s 170, O’Neil used her weight advantage to full effect. Ironically, it was Ward who drew first blood with a sustained body attack to her opponent at the start of the bout. O’Neil responded with some tentative shots of her own as she appeared to experience difficulties finding an early rhythm. Towards the end of the first stanza she managed to put together a few combinations but Ward was up to her game and retaliated with several salvoes of her own.
O’Neil seemed to have discovered Ward’s Achilles heel from as early as the second round. She launched a furious body attack that had the Lindener covering up. The third round glaringly belonged to O’Neil as she took full advantage of the differences in weight to bully Ward into submission. By now it was evident that the extra poundage was taking its toll on Ward. She attempted to clinch in an effort to stem O’Neil’s attacks but the former Women’s International Boxing Association and International Boxing Council light/heavyweight champion proved to be too strong for her.
While O’Neil was clearly the aggressor, her attacks were marred by a litany of low blows which apparently missed the probing eyes of referee Eon Jardine. She eventually earned a unanimous decision after all three judges, Bernard DeSantos, Andrew Thorne and Trevor Arno; each scored the bout 59-55 in O’Neil’s favour.
Junior/welterweight champion, Iwan Azore was anything but the man that stopped Keith ‘Crusher’ Thomas earlier last year to claim the local title. He plodded behind Laurex Benn and most of his shots failed to hit the mark. When they did connect, they were poorly timed and lacked venom. Benn was able to rally to the end but lost the fight unanimously.
It took Atwell just 37 seconds of the second round to convince Skeete that he was in the wrong place. Switching from orthodox to southpaw, the former amateur champion totally befuddled Skeete, sending him to the canvass twice, before his seconds mercifully threw in the towel to save him from further punishment.
Rogers’ thorough beating of Augustin truly vindicated the tab given to the card—‘New Year’s Beatings.’
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