GBBC presents ‘Night of Contenders’ boxing card...Jamaican ‘Contenders’ take on Guyanese ‘Contenders’

GBBC presents ‘Night of Contenders’ boxing card…Jamaican ‘Contenders’ take on Guyanese ‘Contenders’

Aug 14, 2014 Sports

By Michael Benjamin
The team of local boxers that participated in the Contender Boxing series in Jamaica over the past four months has returned to Guyana but only former world middleweight contender, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman managed to clinch a tidy purse after rallying up to the semi-final stage before losing to Tsetsi Davis on points.

The local boxers conform to their contractual requirements yesterday afternoon.

This meant that the highly touted clash with eventual champion, Sakima Mullings, never materialized; the latter boxer went on to defeat his countryman, Davis, to cart off the spoils. Much was expected of local pugilist, Dereck Richmond but he lost an early bout to Davis and the expected clash with Mullings failed to fructify.
Once again the two boxers are on a collision course and barring injury or another unfortunate eventuality, are scheduled to face off in an 8 rounds jnr/middleweight scrap when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) stage 28 rounds of fistic fury, dubbed ‘The Jamaican Invasion’ at the Banks DIH Thirst Park Ground, August 30 next.
In fact, fans will be treated to 28 rounds of fistic fury with the main supporting bout between Dexter Gonsalves against local welterweight champion, Trinidad based, Iwan Azore in an 8 rounds jnr/welterweight non-title affair. Gonsalves is of quiet disposition and appears harmless and inconsequential. Barbados based boxer, Revlon Lake, found out that this was a deception when the two fought last year. Gonsalves unleashed a brutal two fisted attack on Lake that left him crumpled on the canvass devoid of the local accolade.
Azore has also proved that he could engage in roughhouse tactics especially when he fought Troy Lewis. The two really went after each other and though bruised, Azore’s hands were raised in victory. He is truly made of stern stuff and Gonsalves will have to tread cautiously devoid of complacency.
Another ‘Contender’ fighter, Jamaican, Russell Kamal, will lace up his gloves against Guyanese Winston Pompey in a 6 rounds middleweight affair and Kamal, who has earned a TKO decision over Romeo Norville on a Guyana Fight Night card last year, will be out to prove that his victory was no flash in the pan. He was involved in the just concluded ‘Contender’ Series and should be at the top of his game.
Pompey has had a stint in neighbouring Suriname and said that the sojourn has been of immense benefit. During training sessions at the Andrew Lewis Boxing gym earlier in the week, the lanky boxer did show improvement and fans would be going to the venue to confirm whether Pompey’s words are indeed weighty.
Otherwise, Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) bantamweight champion, Dexter Marques and Richard Williamson will square off for the second time in a year in a bantamweight six rounder. Williamson, who lost the first, will be looking to turn the tables around. Indeed, fans could expect a classy affair as was witnessed in the first fight. Both boxers have said that they will be in top condition for their second meeting.
Yesterday afternoon, the local boxers convened at the office of Insurance brokers, Abdool and Abdools where they attached their respective signatures to their contracts. President of the GBBC, Peter Abdool informed that the Jamaican contingent has already conformed to those prerequisites and are rearing to go. Conversely, the local team of boxers has spouted similar confidence and will be intensifying training activities at their respective boxing gyms.