‘Hometown’ decisions bad for Guyana’s image

Nov 09, 2010 Sports

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Says Sean Devers

Says Sean Devers

Despite an almost hour late start, a faulty sound system for the singers and a lukewarm attendance, the Holland’s Enterprise Promotion Caribbean Fury 2 Boxing card at the Princess Hotel was proving entertaining until the night’s final fight soured things for the fans.
After Guyana’s World Champion Shondell Alfred defeated youthful Colombian Olga Julio and the fit looking 41-year-old USA-based Rawle Frank got past Denny Dalton in a close contest, few minded the late hour for the commencement of the Card’s headliner between Guyana’s Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore and Venezuelan Breilor Teran.
The Southpaw Moore, a co-promoter of the card, looked to have things ‘covered’ in the early rounds against the Spanish fighter before both Moore and his Manager Carwyn Holland appeared to lose focus under pressure.
In addition to being the Promoter and Moore’s Manager, Holland was also one of two commentators broadcasting the fight for television and with Guyana’s President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo among those present, Holland amazingly left his commentary position to protest a decision which went against his boxer.
Being an International Cricket Commentary myself and in the interest of balance, I feel that as the promoter and the Manager of Moore, Holland should not have done the blow-by-blow commentary of his boxer’s fight.
Holland got so annoyed by the decision against his fighter that he began gesticulating and pranced around the ring to highlight what he felt was the incompetence of the officials.
With his fighter in trouble later in the contest Holland again ceased being a commentator and tried to mobilize vocal support for his Boxer. Holland’s antics was not only unprofessional but might have influenced the shocking decision his fighter received when it was clear to those with even just the basic knowledge of Boxing that Moore had lost.
‘Home town’ decisions are not exclusive to Guyana and nothing new but that does not make it right. It could prevent top fighters from coming to perform here at a time when lament the lack of support from the game in Guyana.
As a Guyanese and someone who knows Moore personally I wanted him to win since a victory would increase his World title aspirations. But being a former National sportsman I know how it feels when you train hard and perform better but just can’t get the results you deserve. I remember going to play cricket in certain areas and knowing that the Umpires will be against you even before the match begins. I felt sorry for Teran.
Moore is a far better Boxer than Teran and would beat him 9 times out of 10 fights but I got the impression that the Guyanese did not expect the Spanish fighter to be so aggressive and come out ‘warring’ in Roberto Duran fashion, even when he was hit. To me he won the crucial last few rounds and the last minute knock down of Moore should have been enough to earn a win.
Moore might be better but on the night Teran was the better man and in the minds of most the winner.
Such decisions, especially since the fight was televised, could make it harder for the development of boxing here since good fighters will stay away. Moore’s win improves his record but it could appear that he was given the victory because of his Manager’s influence and questions the integrity of the judges.
At least one of the 3 judges had the decency of scoring the fight a 94/94 draw. Seeing such decisions makes one realise why many of our sporting officials can only function in a society where many feel that corruption is ‘no big thing’ and will never progress with any success outside Guyana’s shores.
Moore’s latest performance also questions if he is doing too many things that take away from his focus and preparation as a boxer.
Only last week I asked Leon if he felt the ‘running around’ to be at presentations and photo opportunities as a co-promoter from this card would affect his training and energy level. He told me he could balance the two.
He also trains boxers and several Boxing pundits including Promoter Herman Harris, the father of Wayne Harris, feels he is good enough to win a World Title and should focus on that at this point without getting involved in too many things.
His Manger Holland (though maybe well meaning) has wonderful ideas for Boxing and works hard but one of his problems is that he seems to want to do everything by himself. This is why emotions got the better of him and he acted unprofessionally.
The next time his fighter is boxing he should let someone else do the commentary. Then he would be free to protest and whip up support as Manager. International Sports commentary has standards and ‘hometown’ decisions are bad for Guyana’s image.

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