Latest update January 7th, 2025 12:32 AM
Augustin steamrolls Bess; London overcomes Tyson
By Michael Benjamin
Anthony Augustin (left) lands flush to the face of Kurt Bess during their heavyweight bout at the Cliff Anderson Hall on Friday evening.
Kurt Bess registered a first round knockdown and a second round mauling on Anthony Augustin but the latter fighter reasserted himself in the third and fourth stanzas to clinch a unanimous verdict when the two boxers faced off in the 6th edition of the ProAm boxing extravaganza, under the auspices of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) in collaboration with the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Friday evening last.
In the main supporting bout, in the heavyweight division, Pauline London applied immense pressure on Debbie Tyson and eventually won a unanimous verdict while super/middleweight boxer, Edmond DeClou turned in a masterful display of boxing mixed with aggression to outlast Troy Lewis.
The night started on a successful note for bantamweight boxer, Mark Austin when he bullied Shawn Pyle on his way to a lopsided unanimous verdict.
A slightly improved live audience joined those that viewed the fights on television and was treated to a brutal affair from the onset of the Augustin/Bess bout.
The taller of the two boxers, Bess resembled a praying mantis as he stalked the stocky Augustin. Midway into the round Bess connected with a looping right and down went Augustin.
He rose on wobbly legs but Bess failed to capitalize on the advantage, swinging meaningless blows most of them landing on Augustin’s arms and shoulders.
Augustin responded early in the second round when he rocked Bess with a vicious one two combination but the latter fighter took it like a man and retaliated with a looping right and once again the effects of the punch registered on Augustin’s legs turning them to rubber.
The minute respite at the end of the second round seemed to have done wonders for Augustin and he entered the third frame rejuvenated. Lefts and rights reigned supreme before Bess decided to get into the act. Both boxers stood toe to toe and lashed out at each other. Only this time it was Bess who wilted after receiving several wallops to his temple. The final round was a replica of the penultimate. Augustin connected with a roundhouse right and Bess retaliated with a looping right of his own.
Midway of this round Augustin rocked his man with several salvoes and Bess sought refuge in clinches. Smelling blood, Augustin advanced and dealt his opponent several unanswered blows.
When the bell sounded Augustin prematurely lifted his hands in victory while Bess danced a little jig, also confident of winning the judges’ approval.
The three judges, Francis Abraham, Rawle Aaron and Carlton Hopkinson decided that despite his earlier stumble, Augustin had done enough to earn the nod.
One fight earlier, DeClou demonstrated good ring generalship to unanimously outpoint Troy Lewis.
The Lindener was hardly troubled by Lewis’ aggression, or more appropriately, his non aggression.
Lewis swung his punches from every angle but failed to land as DeClou used his superior height to full advantage to keep him at bay. The judges’ decision hardly surprised anyone.
The London/Tyson bout lived up to the pre-fight billings, except for the part where London had promised to ‘buss up’ Tyson’s mouth. Enjoying a 14 pounds weight advantage, London ensured that Tyson did not forget it. She pushed and shoved the taller fighter and instead of retaining a jab and move strategy, Tyson fell into the trap of brawling with the heavier London. She paid for her folly by the end of the third stanza when London unleashed a barrage of punches that backed her to the ropes.
By now, Tyson’s energy was spent and it was obvious that she was anxiously awaiting the bell. The sweet chimes came to her rescue even as London was dishing out a two fisted assault. The judges had no problem in arriving at a unanimous decision in London’s favour.
Pyle is currently preparing for a CABOFE title fight in Barbados. At the pre fifth press conference he had said that the bout against Austin would have provided valuable glove work.
It turned out that Austin employed a vicious two fisted assault that had the taller Pyle in dizzy land for most of the proceedings. Austin was eventually adjudged winner by the widest of margins.
The next edition of the ProAm boxing card will be on Friday August 27. The names of the fighters for that card would be released soon.
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