Winston Pompey fails ‘chin tester’ exam, crumbles in early stages of bout

Sep 25, 2011 Sports

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18th ProAm boxing extravaganza

By Michael Benjamin

Junior/middleweight boxer, Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy was certainly in a generous mood when he faced off with Winston Pompey in the main event of the September edition ProAm boxing cards on Friday evening last. Despite only contracted to engage his opponent in six rounds of combat, Hardy took time out to offer dancing lessons and was so good at it that in just 54secs of the second round, he had his man dancing the ‘Samba’ in an easy two steps lesson that included the infamous left hook application dubbed ‘the chin tester.’
Shortly before that bout, Barbadian, Miguel Antoine and Jermaine King battled over 4 rounds in a bout that was eventually adjudged a draw while Troy Lewis, despite his best efforts, failed to put away Kelsie George and had to settle for a majority decision in their super/middleweight affair.
Bantamweights, Carlton Skeete and debutant, Shaheed Ali started the action with four rounds of unorthodox punching that saw the two trading leathers from gong to gong at the end of which Skeete was adjudged the unanimous winner.
During the pre-fight press conference Hardy had warned Pompey that he (Hardy) would be employing a ‘chin tester’ to ascertain whether he (Pompey) could have withstood the power of his left hook. True to his word Hardy started the bout with several probing punches including a few ‘chin testers.’ To his credit, Pompey withstood the test on several occasions as Hardy crashed a few salvoes to his jaw.
Pompey started the bout on sugar legs, dancing out of range while flicking an occasional left jab in Hardy’s face. Undaunted, Hardy pursued his man and launched several salvoes that included a few ‘chin testers.’ Pompey refused to be cornered and continued punching and dancing out of range. He managed to make it to the end of the round and the general consensus of the pundits suggested that Pompey had withstood the test and they settled for the second round action.
The chimes of the bell to signal the second round was still resonating when Hardy rushed out and surprised Pompey with another ‘chin tester.’ The punch was quick, landed on the button and sent Pompey crashing to the canvass. He immediately attempted to rise but only succeeded in perfecting a superb combination of classical moves that should be the envy of administrators of the National Dance School even as the referee, Franklyn Brisport, officiating in his 50th bout, tolled away the seconds before waving off the fight.
Buoyed by three earlier victories against Guyanese opponents, Antoine started his welterweight bout against King on a confident note. The two were uninterested in the proverbial ‘feeling out’ process and lashed out at each other from the onset. The southpaw King boxed around while Antoine pursued him, on the lookout for an opportunity to land his bombs. Both pugilists dished out as much as they received with neither dominating the first round proceedings.
The Barbadian stepped up the pace in the second round but King matched his aggression with several punches of his own and once again, though both pugilists enjoyed good moments neither could boast of really gaining absolute control.
The fierce exchanges continued into the third stanza and Antoine made a statement early in this round after registering a three punch combination. King refused to back down and laced his man with a vicious combination of his own. Antoine then retaliated with a three punch offering that pushed King backwards but the Guyanese pugilist displayed grit and determination, quickly reasserting himself and returning the favour with equal force. With the fight going into the final round and too close to call, the pundits were adamant that the winner of that round would have taken the honours.
Antoine attempted to seize the initiative and started the final round in an aggressive mood. King wisely tied him up while taking a breather. The two then spent the rest of the round exchanging vicious salvoes and when the final bell sounded, the pundits were divided on the winner. Judge Trevor Arno decided that Antoine had won by a 40-36 margin while Orin Hart voted in the opposite corner 39-37. Carlton Hopkinson failed to break the stalemate and his tally of 38-38 rendered the bout a draw.
Otherwise, Troy Lewis experienced minimal difficulty in overcoming Kelsie George. However, despite his vast experience, the former fighter failed to time his punches and loaded up while hoping to land the haymaker. George failed to effectively assess the situation and most times got tagged with wayward punches. He paid dearly for the lapses, surrendering the unanimous verdict.
Skeete, who has had minimal successes in his short career, eventually broke a prolonged losing streak in a war with Ali where no quarters were asked and none given. It was a gutsy display by both boxers and a return match later on should not be ruled out.
Several of Guyana’s past boxing stars were present at the card including Reginald Forde, who has the distinction of engaging several world renowned fighters during his tenure including ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler and Ayube Kalule among others. Former Commonwealth champion, Kenny Bristol was also in attendance as were Dennis Dalrymple and Wayne Harris. Two other contemporary notables, former WBA welterweight king, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis and Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) champion, Shondell ‘Mystery Lady’ Alfred, were also at ringside.
The respective fighters return to the gym in anticipation of a fight on the next ProAm affair stated for the final Friday night in October when GBBC administrators huddle later in the week to compile that card.

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