Six boxers flattened as ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Novices Championships opens

May 15, 2011 Sports

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Laurex Cummings (right) unleashes a body dig to the Erwin Victor’s ribcage in their light/flyweight encounter

By Michael Benjamin

Six boxers suffered knockouts while several others were engaged in crowd pleasing affairs when the curtains went up on the 2011 Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Novices boxing championships at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue Friday evening last.
Undoubtedly, there was a paucity of skills when the nation’s Simon Pures donned gloves on the inaugural night of the tournament under the auspices of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA).
Nevertheless, what the pugilists lacked in skill, they compensated for with unbridled action and the small but appreciative crowd that turned up to witness the action were treated to several action packed bouts and from all indications much more is in store as the championships climaxes tonight with the finals at the same venue.
Shortly before the bell rang for the first bout President of the GABA, Steve Ninvalle delivered a brief address to those in attendance.
He said that the championship was an indication of his organisation’s steadfast commitment to the development of the young pugilists and further reminded those in attendance of the 1980 Moscow Olympics bronze medal feat of Michael Parris.
The GABA President further pointed out that his coaches are currently preparing a team for participation in next year’s London Olympics and aim to eclipse Parris’ bronze medal achievement. The GABA boss then urged the boxers to employ disciplined tactics even as they endeavour to win the championship.
Director of Youth and Sports, Neil Kumar echoed Mr. Ninvalle’s sentiments and further urged the boxers to exhibit good behaviour and discipline throughout the tournament.
Also present at the opening ceremony was Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission, Michael Kearney. He expressed delight at being afforded the opportunity of witnessing the occasion shortly before he struck the bell to indicate the start of the bouts.

Twelve gyms are contesting for honours including Harpy Eagles (HE), Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF), Tiger Eye Boxing Gym (TEBG), Ricola Warriors (RW), Carryl Boxing Gym (CBG), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG), Rosehall Town Jammers (RTJ), Golden Grove Boxing Gym (GGBG), Five Star Boxing Gym (FSBG), Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG), Central New Amsterdam (CNA) and Young Achievers (YA).
Meanwhile, those in attendance witnessed the youngsters exchanging leathers and several of the bouts were prematurely terminated after ferocious exchanges.
The night’s proceedings got underway in the 60-64lbs class with Kurt Allicock (HEBG) registering a knockout in 1:29secs of the first round over Shakelle Simon (CNA) to add to several more aborted decisions before the night was through.
The junior welterweight encounter between Colin Bovell (FYF) and Mark Anthony (HEBG) was brutal and decisive with the former boxer carting off the honours in 2:25secs of the first round.
Bovell started assertively with a crunching right cross that had Anthony covering up. Several ramrod punches to Anthony’s body forced the wind from his lungs and his demeanor never suggested any desire of permanence. He tottered around the ring with Bovell in heated pursuit, dishing out choice salvoes.
A vicious straight right landed on his temple and the referee jumped in to issue a count.
Bovell’s display defied his novice status as he pummeled a hapless Anthony into submission. Shortly after the first count Bovell launched another attack and a vicious straight right followed by a crunching left hook dumped Anthony to the canvass where he remained, groaning in pain for the next five minutes while the medics feverishly attended to him. The time was 2:25secs of the first round.
The bout in the 56kgs class between Stephen Chan of the Ricola Warriors (RW) and Ryan Delon of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) started at a scorching pace with the soldier swinging lefts and rights to Chan’s unprotected head.
The onslaught pushed the Ricola Warrior backwards and he blocked up to stave off the blows. Just when it appeared as though he was going to call it a night the referee jumped in and instituted the mandatory eight count. The respite served him well and Chan reentered the fray with swinging fists, connecting with crunching blows to Delon’s defenseless head.
The soldier recovered somewhat in the latter stages of the round to launch a terrific onslaught that pushed the Ricola Warrior to the ropes.

Undaunted, a determined Chan stepped up the pace and lashed out with punches of his own.
The onslaught apparently drained the gas from Delon’s tank and after several crunching blows had connected to his head the referee once again tolled away the mandatory eight count.
By now the soldier was gasping for breath and when asked if he wished to continue he vigorously shook his head giving the fight to Chan in 2:55secs of the first stanza.
Delon’s gym mate Atto Gentle, belied his surname and dished out a licking on Andrew Sookram (CNA) that forced the third man to call a halt to his lightweight encounter at 1:10secs of the first round.
Apparently bristling over his colleague’s loss one bout prior, Gentle turned up the heat at the sound of the bell and had Sookram seeking refuge behind highly held guards. Barely one minute had elapsed when he forced the referee to count his opponent. Even before the referee had reached to eight Sookram was vigorously shaking his head, reluctant to reenter the fray. The ‘third man’ duly waved the contest off. Middleweight Orell Benett broke the sequence for the soldiers once again, hardly offering resistance and surrendering at 1:31secs of the first round after his opponent, Charles Moore (RTJ) had landed a volley that necessitated the referee’s intervention. Junior/welterweight, Mark Marshall also kept the soldiers’ flag flying, wasting little time with Kelvin Moore (EBG), forcing an end in 24secs of the third stanza.
The 60-64lbs encounter between Kurt Allicock (HEBG) and Shakelle Simon (CAN) also ended prematurely when the former pugilist forced the referee to call a halt at 1:29secs of the third frame.
The other results of the night read: 70-74lbs-Odeny Moore (EBG) lost by a 2-1 verdict to Elijah Insanally (HEBG); Jamal Eastman (PRBG) defeated Shaka Moore (Essq) by a 3-0 decision, while Kenny Amsterdam (PRBG) prevailed over Joshua Benjamin (HEBG). 75-79lbs-Christian Heywood (TEBG) gained the nod over Nicosi Phillips (PRBG) moments before Tyron Lashley (RHJ) pounded out a 2-1 verdict over Jonathon Lewis (HEBG). 80-84lbs-Ryan Sumner (FSBG) dropped a 3-0 decision to Hakeem April (TEBG), while Michael April emulated his brother’s feat with a 3-0 victory over Boston Seeraj (PRBG). 105-109lbs-Erwin Victor chalked up a win for TEBG when he defeated Laurex Cujmmings (FSBG) by a 3-0 decision.
Friday night’s action started on a flat note after Christopher Timmerman (HEBG) was gifted with a walk over after his opponent and gym mate failed to show up for their 60-64lbs division contest.
The action continued last night and will conclude tonight with several exciting bouts. The first bell rings at 19:30hrs and boxers, officials and coaches are asked to be at the venue at least one hour prior to the prescribed start.

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