Poor attendance mars good boxing show as inaugural ProAm Boxing commences

Feb 28, 2010 Sports

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A sparse crowd that attended the inaugural ProAm Boxing card failed to damper the performances of the boxers and boxing buffs were treated to several classy displays at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) Friday evening last.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, were among those in attendance and many that visited the venue said that they felt satisfied with the various performances.
Organized by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, the card, despite the poor attendance, provided fans with fistic fury from gong to gong.
Activities in the professional segment commenced with Pauline London defeating Shelly Gibson in the heavyweight division and continued with Dexter Marques earning a lopsided points decision over Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers. Troy Lewis then scored a first round knockout over Rudolph Fraser while Kwesi Jones sealed the issue at the end of the trilogy against Edmond DeCleau when he forced the doctor to order a stoppage following an injury sustained by DeCleau.
Following the pre-fight hype, fans were eagerly awaiting the DeCleau/Jones bout since the two previous encounters were classics with the fighters chalking up one win each. When the first bell sounded, both fighters were wary of the other and utilized the initial stages to engage in the feeling out process. DeCleau then drew first blood with several long range punches. Fighting out of a peek-a- boo stance, Jones brushed aside the assault and advanced purposefully. He then launched a body attack that forced DeCleau on his bicycle. Both fighters enjoyed good moments in this round and when the bell rung the small crowd settled for the impending fireworks.
It did not come in the second frame, as both principals remained wary of each other. The taller DeCleau kept a tight guard, nullifying Jones head attacks. He then retaliated with several ramrod shots that had the shorter Jones seeking refuge behind highly held guards. DeCleau then rocked Jones with a double one two combination before he retaliated with a three punch combination of his own shortly before the bell.
Both fighters went after each other at the start of the third stanza with DeCleau rocking Jones with two right crosses from long range. Jones shook off the blows and unleashed several of his own and for the first time in the bout DeCleau resorted to back pedaling. Jones upped the ante and before the round was through, had the Lindener retreating to stem the onslaught.
Jones’ confidence was obvious at the start of the fourth round. He attacked with venom forcing the tall Lindener to retreat. He was, however, guilty of loading up his punches which robbed him of the full effect of his effort. Luckily for him a tired DeCleau could not summon enough energy to get out of the way. Jones refused to let up the pressure and after an especially brutal attack, blood began to spurt from a cut to DeCleau’s nostrils. The referee summoned the doctor who, after a thorough examination, advised a stoppage. The time was 1:50 seconds of the fourth stanza.
The card was not without controversy as in the Rudolph Fraser/Troy Lewis catchweight bout. Merely 1:10 seconds of the first frame, Lewis connected with a vicious wallop to Fraser’s head that drove him into one of the neutral corners. Referee Frankie Brisport immediately jumped in and waved the fight off much to the annoyance of Fraser who protested vehemently, saying that he was physically capable of continuing. This was all to no avail since the referee had already ruled. Fraser left the ring in a dejected state.
Dexter Marques proved to Orlan Rogers that his previous victories were no fluke. He employed a masterful display of classical boxing that had the shorter Rogers at sea for the better part of the fight. Rogers did attempt to lure Marques into a brawl but Marques utilized his superior height to take full advantage of Rogers. Judges Orin Hart and Andrew Thorne give Marques the bout 39-37 each while Rawle Aaron saw the fight even at 38-38. Rogers protested vehemently saying that he is still to understand which fight the judges were watching.
Earlier, in the first bout of the night, Pauline London carried the fight to Shelly ‘Boom’ Gibson to register her second victory in as many fights between the two. Gibson did turn in a better showing but found the determination of London too much for her.
After the fight, London said that she was not totally pleased with her performance. She said that she knew that she was the better boxer but found it difficult working up an acceptable rhythm. The next Pro/Am card is scheduled for next month end.

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