S&S Promotions ‘Final Execution’ boxing card : Analysts pick a winner

Jun 27, 2009 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
After months of mouthing off and issuing verbal threats to each other, local bantamweight king, Dexter Marques and Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore will clash tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the former boxer’s bantamweight crown.
Already, the betting boys are casting wagers in favour of Moore who they say is far more experienced. Indeed, Moore, since entering the professional ranks, has chalked up an impressive 26-24-2 record with 21 of those victories finishing inside the distance. While the consensus suggests that a Moore victory seems a done deal, Marques, despite an unimpressive record of just four fights, believes that he has worked very hard to win the bantamweight title and anyone that wishes to relieve him of it would have to fight like a tiger to do so.
Kaieteur Sport had been following both principals during their hectic preparations and agrees that a mouth watering contest awaits boxing buffs. We sought the views of some of the boxing knowledgeable and below are those views/evaluations.
Keith Bazilio (Former boxer, boxing manager and head of the People’s Syndicate Promotions): Let me say from the onset that this fight is going to be a classic. Both fighters are good in their own right and if my memory serves me correctly, they would have sparred during their amateur tenures. I have heard the view that Dexter is an inexperienced fighter who is just presumptuous and should not even think of fighting Moore. I do not agree with those views. I think that Dexter must have seen something to convince him that he can beat Moore.

I think both fighters are physically strong but Moore has proven to possess awesome mental endurance. Despite this, I think that Marques is a determine fighter with a lot of pride. He will not give up his title that easily. The fight would be decided in the latter rounds because both boxers would be required to call on something special to pull them through. I do not believe the bout would end before round twelve. I am not a betting person but if I had to put my money somewhere I would want to give Moore the edge because he is the more experienced.
Herman Harris: (Head of Ringside Promotions and boxing coach)
This is a great match-up and I wish to congratulate the promoters for putting together such a good fight. The main preliminary bout between Leon (Moore) and Dexter (Marques) is a good one. Moore is a seasoned campaigner but one must not forget that Marques is the champion which should say something for his ability.
Boxing is filled with surprises and while Moore seems to be the more experienced and probably the favourite, one cannot eliminate surprises. Dexter has the artillery but the key to his success may lie in the fact that he has to box and utilize every opportunity to score. He is a good boxer and is the defending champion. The boxers’ fitness would be a definite plus.
The one to attain optimum fitness can come out victorious. I did not see any of these boxers in training so I cannot pronounce on their fitness but judging from what I saw of Moore in previous fights, he is going to employ aggression. Such tactics could be decisive against someone like Marques who is inexperienced.
However, we must not forget that in the past, fighters in the early stage of their careers have sprung a few surprises. I expect a brawl because Moore is going to force Marques’ hand and he will fall for the ploy. I will not predict a knockout because I did not follow the boxers’ preparation. This is gearing up to be a classic.
Maurice ‘Bizzy’ Boyce: (Boxing coach and strategist)
I have seen Leon Moore in action in 2 of his professional bouts, against Mark ‘Pit bull’ Dummett and Cecil Smith. Those were not among his best performances because I don’t think he was well conditioned. You must also take into consideration that he came in as a late replacement for the Smith fight.
He did win the fight but I think the impromptu call might have been responsible for his poor showing. Maybe if he had prepared well he would have won by a knockout. He has trained extensively for this bout and is in the best shape of his life. I saw him during sparring sessions the other day. He is crafty and looks dedicated.
Marques, on the other hand stays in the gym. Such dedication can serve him well. He also has the added experience of Joseph (Murray) who has had quite an illustrious professional career and understands the intricacies of the game. Joseph’s experience will be invaluable to Dexter.

Moore is a southpaw who loves to get his business done but one cannot ignore Marques who is a classic, crafty boxer. We may not see a slugfest. This bout is more likely to be a classic affair. I have not been following both boxers’ itinerary so I cannot pronounce on their fitness level. What I do know is that the fighter that wants to win bad enough can be the victor in this bout.
The main preliminary between Gilkes and Allen will produce fireworks. Gilkes is working with Brian Barker, a former boxer who is capable of rallying his charge to victory. Barker has really worked hard with him and I was impressed with Gilkes’ application to his work.
In the fight against Eastman, Gilkes made some fundamental mistakes but from what I have seen during his preparations for this fight, he is more focused and is really putting everything into his training. I will shy away from a prediction because Allen is also working hard and in boxing one can never really predict what will happen.
I know that the bout would be an action packed encounter that can boil down to a close decision. Both fighters are strong punchers but Alleyne delivers crisper blows. Gilkes is obviously more prepared for this one than for the Eastman bout so fans can expect a slugfest.
The coaches weigh in Lennox Daniels is Leon Moore’s trainer. He is very experienced in the business and has trained such pugilists as Andrew Murray for his Commonwealth title fight in England against Tony Swift as well as his world title encounter with Ike Quartey; Dillon Carew, Hugo Lewis for the local featherweight title and Gwendolyn O’Neil to the Women World Boxing Association light/heavy title, against American, Kathy Rivers. Daniels predicts that his charge will outshine Marques. “Marques does not have Moore’s ability. I cannot visualize him being around for the 12th round.” Daniels predicted.
Sebert Blake is a former amateur boxer who enjoyed moderate success. Since commencing his career as a professional coach in 2004, he has piloted Lennox Allen to his current status, he also coaches local heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers, Marques and ‘Deadly’ Denny Dalton. He takes Daniels’s prediction with a pinch of salt.
“Every man is entitled to his opinion and while I visualize an extremely competitive fight, I am backing Dexter all the way. Dexter has learnt quite a lot since his transition to the professional ranks and tonight the best of him will come to the fore. Dexter worked hard for this and tonight he will win.”
Now that everyone has had their say, it is now time for the boxers to do their talking with their fists. Boxing buffs would not want to miss this bout for nothing in the world.

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