National Intermediate Boxing C/ships… Army dominates second night action but Republicans still in with a chance

Sep 12, 2016 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

As the battle for the coveted tab as the top local boxing institution continues, the Guyana Defence Force stamped its authority over its archrivals, the Republican Boxing Gym (REP), carting off the lion’s share of victories when the semi-finals of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Intermediate Boxing Championships concluded at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, last Saturday evening.
In all, there were 9 fights among the two gyms and the soldiers clinched 7 victories, while the Republicans won the other two. While it may seem as though the GDF has already clinched the overall championship honours, the Republicans still stand a realistic chance with several of their boxers scheduled to do battle last night.
GDF Elite flyweight boxer, Don Cummerbatch, set the tone for the soldiers when he opposed Ewart Cobis (REP) in a thriller that kept the crowd animated for its duration.
The taller of the two, Cumberbatch attempted to keep his man at bay with sharp jabs and long crosses but Cobis nullified the ploy with aggressive advances characterized by several roundhouse punches. The action intensified in the second stanza after Cumberbatch found his rhythm and employed long ranged shots that stalled Cobis’ advances.
The latter boxer then launched a two fisted attack much to the delight of screaming fans who loudly applauded the effort at the bell.
The two boxers went after each other in the final round but only this time Cumberbatch became the aggressor. He peppered Cobis with sharp jabs and the Republican could find no answer to stem the onslaught.
A few clouts to Cobis’ temple infuriated him and he launched a wild attack which pushed his man to the ropes. However, Cumberbatch used his legs to stay out of trouble even as he pumped left jabs and right crosses into the defenceless face of Cobis.
The large crowd was convinced that the soldier had done enough to clinch the verdict and the judges concurred.
Republican, Eon Archer then faced GDF bantamweight boxer, Courtney Lynch and the former pugilist was all bluster as he attempted to hustle his man out of the ring.
In his anxiety to hurt his man the Republican got careless and walked smack into a wicked straight right that sent him to the canvass.
He bravely attempted to get back on his feet midway into the mandatory 8 count, but while he verbally indicated his intention to continue, his legs refused to cooperate and the referee rightfully called a halt at exactly one minute of the first stanza.
Another soldier, Rhondel Douglas, engaged in a fiery exchange with Republican, Quami Cumberbatch and subjected his opponent to an early 8 count following a crunching right cross.
Douglas appeared to be spent but still stayed in contention with jabs and crosses.
The tide suddenly changed as Douglas lashed out with a sucker punch that connected to Cumberbatch’s defenceless chin and gravity took over. The referee dutifully tolled away the count but it was merely a gesture in futility since Cumberbatch showed no indication of reentering the fray and the referee subsequently waved the contest off at 1:38secs of the first round.
The Republicans pulled back a victory under strange, and to some fans, humorous circumstances. It was the welterweight bout between Joshua Joseph and Lorex Cummings which started at a frenetic pace.
During one of the exchanges Cummings’ groin protector became dislodged forcing a temporary stoppage for his handlers to replace.
Less than ten seconds later the equipment fell to the canvass again while Joseph was in attacking mode and once more the bout was halted to repair the damage.
Upon resumption, in what appeared to be a strategic ploy, the equipment was once again dislodged and landed on the canvass.
Only this time, a disgusted referee resorted to the rules and disqualified the soldier for, not losing his head but, for allowing the important equipment to become dislodged once too often.
GDF middleweight boxer, Joshua Fraser, made amends for that loss when he employed a vicious two fisted attack that left Republican, Alvin Gounga in a dazed state for the referee to halt the proceedings at 1:22secs of the first round.
One bout later, also in the middleweight division, Darren McPherson (GDF) carved out a unanimous verdict over Republican, Geraldo Phillips while heavyweight, Ryan Roberts (GDF) prevailed over his GDF counterpart, Jermaine Williams on points.
The Republicans closed off the night on a successful note when Bryan Leitch forced Renaldo Niles (GDF) to quit at 2:38secs of the first round following a spirited punching display.
Earlier in the night, two GDF pugilists, Trison Browne and Jason Trotman opposed each other in the lightweight division and the latter boxer prevailed, while Rosehall Jammers (RHJ) representative, Julius Kesney punched his way to a unanimous points decision over Republican, Anthony Patterson.
Lightweight, Jemel Brisport (GDF), was also in winners’ row with a lopsided victory over William DeAbreu (REP) moments before REP, Delroy Nero was scheduled to face his gym mate, Dennis Holligan. For reasons yet to be explained Nero chose not to turn up and the latter boxer was gifted a walkover.
Omar Nauth Sukdeo (FYF) turned in a determined display that had Orlando Northon (GDF) on the receiving end for most of the bout and while the former boxer gained the wide approval of the crowd, he failed to impress the judges who ruled against him.
The finals were scheduled for last night at the same venue where the respective champions would be crowned while the champion gym and best boxer award among others would have been established.

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