Guyanese boxer creating waves in the USA

Feb 11, 2011 Sports

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On verge of world title shot

By Michael Benjamin
February 18th 2001 would forever remain indelibly etched on the minds and hearts of all Guyanese. It was on this date that Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis defied all odds and pounded American James Page into submission to register a seventh round technical knockout victory.
Most importantly, Lewis had broken the jinx that precluded Lennox Blackmoore, Patrick Forde and a host of other Guyanese pugilists from winning the coveted accolade. For the record, before Lewis’ remarkable feat, Patrick Forde had been the closest when he tackled Salvador ‘Baby Face Assassin’ Sanchez and was declared the winner until a recheck of the judges’ scorecard forced a reversal of the decision.
Forde subsequently tried again, this time against Eusibio Pedrosa but suffered a humiliating knockout. Blackmoore’s embarrassing performance against Aaron ‘The Hawk’ Pryor certainly did not inspire hopes for other local boxers or pundits.
The long procession of local boxers that entered the ring against varying opponents in pursuit of the coveted world title but subsequently made ignominious retreats are too many to be documented.
Terrence Ali, Wayne Harris, Anthony Andrews and the list extends. It was against this backdrop and with the odds heavily against him that Lewis stepped in the ring against Page and exited victorious.
That victory opened the floodgates and before one could say ‘jackrabbit’ the world titles started to flow in. Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil, Wayne ‘Big truck’ Braithwaite, Vivian Harris, Gary St. Clair and quite recently, Shondel ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred all triumphed over their opponents bringing glory to their beloved country.
Recently though, it seems as though the hunger for these world accolades has dissipated. Of those mentioned above, only Alfred has her belt and of importance also is that she has already made two successful defenses against a quality fighter named Corinne van ryke DeGroot and is perched to make another such defense very soon.
Fortunately, Guyana’s hopes of retaining a prestigious berth on the international scene is not restricted to only Alfred’s ability to retain her WIBA belt in her next defense. Over in the United States of America, another Guyanese boxer is creating waves on the international scene and if all goes as planned he will be sporting a version of the world heavyweight title before the year is through.
The name Frank needs no introduction to the Guyanese public. Rawle, Stephen and Rory had all donned gloves even before migrating to the USA in the early 90s. Stephen and Rory soon fell out of the race for boxing excellence while Rawle’s exploits against the late Vernon Forest among other top boxers are well documented.
However, despite an earlier victory in November last year against ‘Dangerous’ Denny Dalton and a more recent one against Winston Pompey, Rawle now stands on the brink of retirement. Fortunately, when Rawle vacates the boxing arena, another Frank stands willing and able to occupy the slot. His name is Ronson and he sports an impeccable record of 16 fights with eight of them coming by the knockout route. Kaieteur Sport caught up with the Guyanese pugilist shortly before he left his Brooklyn apartment for the long journey to Manhattan where he practices his trade at the Trinity Boxing Gym under the tutelage of Guyanese trainer, Colin Morgan and American John Slowe.
Ronson belongs to a boxing family but the tale of his involvement in the sport is almost surreal. “My brothers were all in the sport and doing fine but I never felt the urge to don gloves,” he reveals. Instead he preferred to hang out with his friends at some of the popular joints in Brooklyn. Naturally, I got into trouble but somehow managed to avert court matters or a jail sentence,” he intimates with a boyish giggle.
His father Richard, who is on holiday in Guyana, picks up the recitation. “This kid just awoke one morning with some kind of strange premonition and told me he wanted to box.” At first Richard refused to take his son seriously but the urgency of the demands prompted him to enroll his son in the famous Jackie Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.
Both of his siblings, Stephen and Rawle were still actively involved in the sport and practiced their trade at that facility. “They were simply astounded by their sibling’s application and progress,” intimated Richard.
One year later, after chalking up many wins; Ronson entered the New York Golden Gloves championships. He made it up to the finals but lost that bout to an American. “I was disheartened by that loss especially since I felt that I had done enough to win,” stated Ronson. So disappointed was the young pugilist that he decided to quit the sport.
Two years later the fight bug bit him and Ronson was back in the gym, only this time he opted to apply for a license to fight professionally.
Today, some six years after his return to the fistic sport the young light/heavyweight boxer is rated at number 16 by the United States Boxing Association (USBA) and is on the verge of fighting for a world title.
Ronson said that the journey up to his present position has been rough and he envisions tougher battles as he climbs into the ratings. Notwithstanding, he is working assiduously to accrue the necessary experience and skills to capitalize on the opportunity when it arrives.
Ronson explains that Otis Griffin is the USBA light/heavyweight title holder. The Guyanese further said that he is scheduled to fight Byron Mitchell sometime around March month end. Mitchell is currently rated at number 11 for the USBA light/heavyweight title and sports a record of 27 wins and 7 losses. Twenty one of his opponents were not around for the final bell.
Frank further reveals that he trains among a plethora of seasoned, and in some cases, highly rated fighters who can all nurture him to the top of his game. Some of his sparring partners are Elgir Muriqi, and Peter Cullen who Ronson said is rated in the top ten of most of the world boxing organisations. He has also faced off with world renowned middleweight, Antonio Tarver in sparring sessions, local middleweight boxer, Lennox Allen and Canadian light/heavyweight champion, John Pascal.
However, amidst all the glitz and glamour of his career Ronson said that he nurtures a deep desire to relate with his countrymen and women. “I guess that only a few Guyanese would remember me because I migrated to the USA at a very young age,” said Ronson. However, he said that he still wears his country colours like a badge of honour and whatever feats he performs is done with his beloved country in mind. “If all goes well I may step in the ring for the world title by year end and when that happens I would like every Guyanese to be a part of my victory,” proclaims Ronson.
Indeed, years of sacrifice and dedication is about to fructify and the United States based Guyanese wishes that every Guyanese support him as he attempts to join the elite crew of local pugilists that won prestigious boxing accolades and placed Guyana on the world map of sports. “It’s the least I could do to show love of country,” declares the young Frank.

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