Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 06, 2013 Sports
– multiple champion, Clive Atwell takes on tough Jamaican
By Michael Benjamin
It was dubbed Friday Night Fights as administrators of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) experimented with several modules to enhance the fortunes of the sport and by extension, young pugilists.
The initiative was subjected to lukewarm support and once again the GBBC executive was forced to huddle around the table to devise new strategies towards the effective sustenance of the sport.
It took hours of introspection but it now seems apparent that officials have come up with the antidote to effect changes in the flagging fortunes of the boxing fraternity. As such, the cards will now be staged on the customary Sunday night and fans will be highly entertained when the GBBC presents the 30th edition of Guyana Fight Night on Sunday October 13 next.
Notably, GBBC administrators have sought the intervention of Michael Fung of Mingles fame and already that gentleman has instituted some of the relevant changes to enhance and broaden the support base, not only in terms of crowd support but also the input of corporate Guyana.
At a recently convened press conference, Mr. Fung read the battle act to the boxers and reminded them that they have a very important role to play in the scheme of things. He told them that it is important that they attend gym sessions regularly even as they aspire to improve on techniques to enhance their individual performances.
The boxers and coaches now understand this and all have aspired to address these concerns with an aim of improving their individual quality and by extension, that of the card.
The GBBC also has an important role to play and have aspired to procure the best talent when organising cards. And so it is that in the first venture consequent to discussions will see an international flavor to the cards.
Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Lightweight champion, Clive Atwell, will be required to intensify training sessions if he is to get past Jamaican, Glenroy Augustus Beckford whom he tackles in an eight rounds lightweight affair.
Over the years, Atwell has pedaled his trade in the amateur ranks until January 2010 when he stripped off his shirt to engage Carlton Skeete in a 4 rounder which he easily won on points. Thereafter, Atwell faced Mark Austin in September of that very year in a hectic affair that ended in a draw.
It proved to be the only blemish to his record as Atwell developed leaps and bounds. His resume looks good with victories over Rudolph Fraser (KO 2 for local Featherweight title), twice against Revlon Lake (KO 4 & KO 3 for local Lightweight) and Prince Lee Isidore (TKO 12).
Perhaps the bout that defined Atwell as a dangerous pugilist was against Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez in April this year. A stunning performance saw the Guyanese pugilist clinching a lopsided verdict after all three judges, McKenzie Granger (119-110), Eon Jardine (118-112) and Nicolas Hidalgo (116-113), scored in his favour. Atwell is now the most decorated boxer on the local scene and is set to launch into the future; he must take care of Beckford in the imminent bout.
Beckford has earned the right to challenge Atwell after being active on ‘The Contender,’ the Jamaican version of the Guyana Fight Night where he defeated Owen Barrett, Dean Palmer and Martin Anderson.
He has boxed 47 rounds with a knockout ratio o0f 9.09, in total contrast to Atwell who has a knockout ratio of 50%. Notwithstanding, one should not write off the Jamaican since history is replete with those pugilists who have suffered because of such complacency.
Meanwhile, the other bouts are also touted to be potential humdingers and will see Richard Williamson engaging Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques in the toughest fight of his fledgling career in the bantamweight division over eight rounds.
Marques is a classy boxer but Elton Dharry had employed skill and wits to defeat him last year for the local bantamweight crown. Williamson is talented but is devoid of experience. However, what he lacks in this department will be compensated in the skill and determination department. Both two boxers uncharacteristically demonstrated respect for each other at the contract signing ceremony but the underlying threats were apparent.
Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) middleweight champion, Edmond Declou will square off with Derick Richmond in an 8 rounds middleweight contest and the former boxer said that he was really training for a bout against Howard Eastman. Nevertheless, he said that he has already made the mental adjustment and will be going after Richmond with a vengeance.
Richmond is no slouch; he will best be remembered for his brave effort that saw him slugging it out with Syrian boxer ‘The Dentist’ Mahmoud in a fight that ended in a draw. He also defied the odds to register a 3rd round knockout over Romeo Norville when they clashed last year August. A boxer with a mean wallop, Richmond has shown his worth in late round rallies which have stood him in good stead.
He is honing his skills at the Pocket Rocket Boxing gym in Berbice under the tutelage of former champion, Jeff Roberts. Otherwise, welterweight pugilists, Kishawn Simon and David Thomas go after each other in a 4 rounds welterweight scrap and the former boxer is brimming with confidence while promising to repair his debut loss to Patrick Boston.
Eight boxers are also scheduled to appear on the amateur segment of the card and these names would soon be announced as officials of the Guyana Boxing Association mull over the best pairs for the card.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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