Amateur/professional boxers gear up for night of fistic action

Jul 16, 2011 Sports

---

Bantamweight pugilist Benjamin Henry is scheduled to headline the amateur segment of the ProAm boxing extravaganza Friday Night’s Fight when action gets underway at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Friday July 27.
The North West Boxing Gym representative will match gloves with Mark Anthony in a bantamweight showdown, while Jnr/flyweight Dexter ‘Chucky’ Wray battles Kevin Allicock in a highly anticipated thriller. Marlon Darrel will next oppose Trenton Warde in a lightweight shindig while Marvin Ageday opposes Kishon Simon in a Jnr/welterweight clash.
All of the boxers are currently engaged in intense preparations and boxing buffs could anticipate the usual action packed encounters that have characterized the amateur segment of the programme. Bouts among this group usually occur at the start of the card and are followed by an half hour break before the professionals get into action.
This month, the professional segment promises much excitement as several overseas opponents will match gloves with their local counterparts. Barbadian Miguel Antoine has had a successful run so far, defeating Mark Austin and Shawn Pyle. He will attempt to extend that streak when he faces Lindener, Cassius Matthews over 4 rounds.
The latter fighter has had a lengthy layoff from the ring after battling to a draw with Vincent Howard. Upon his return he dropped a lopsided verdict to Simeon Hardy. He was to repair that damage when in a subsequent fight he defeated Shawn Pyle thus reinstating himself as a force among his contemporaries.
However, Matthews will have to be wary of Antoine especially since the Bajan is brimming with confidence following his two successes locally. Furthermore, Antoine is no slouch and packs a punch.
Reports from Linden state that Matthews is taking the bout seriously and is diligently applying himself to his tasks. Known for his ability to box, the Lindener could pose problems for Antoine especially if he decides to box around. With a totally contrasting style Antoine could make things a little dicey for Matthews. This scenario points to an interesting battle that could titillate the crowd and flesh out to be a fight worth watching.
Edmond DeClou has made his name in the ProAm cards when he dished out a two fisted attack on Kwesi Jones, taking a close decision in the second encounter of their trilogy.
Should DeClou manage to whip himself into a similar shape and should he enter the ring with a similar level of determination then his opponent, Joel McRae could expect a stern test.
The latter pugilist trains out of the Marabella Boxing Gym, Trinidad and Tobago and feels he has an edge after engaging in qualitative sparring sessions with top Trinidadian boxer, Kurt Sinette. McRae is currently working out at the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) and has had several hectic rounds with Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy. Further, one only needs to reflect on McRae’s victory over ‘Dangerous’ Denny Dalton in the June edition of the card to realize that he is indeed a force to be reckoned with.
However, Dalton had been a stationary target while DeClou will be dancing and punching which will pose a different challenge for McRae. Add the fact that the Lindener has drawn first blood, winning handsomely in the first encounter, and McRae will know that he must be at his best to gain the honours. With a record that reads 8-1-1, McRae will back himself to reverse the decision this time around. Six of his opponents have not been around for the final bell compliments of vicious punches dished out by McRae. Could he replicate these feats when faced with someone of DeClou’s caliber? McRae thinks so; DeClou does not agree with him. Fans would just have to troop to the arena to witness the action as it unfolds.
Otherwise, Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers will look to reverse his fortunes when he opposes Barbadian Selwyn Lett. Rogers will know that he will have to come up with a victory if he is to continue in the fistic sport. He will enjoy hometown support which could be the catalyst to an improved showing.
Then there is Anthony Augustin, also on the redemption trail and eager to reclaim a place among the top guns. He battles another Bajan, Julian Taniff, and is bubbling with confidence. Augustin operates out of the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG) under the tutelage of George ‘Kanchi’ Oprecht and has recently indicated that his coach has used a different approach to his {Augustin} regiment.
The boxers are now ready for stiff action and boxing buffs can be assured of unbridled action when the first gong sounds this month end.
The ProAm affair is a Guyana Boxing Board of Control initiative in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA), the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Communication Network.

---

---