Deadly explosion anticipated as DeClou takes aim at ‘Battersea Bomber’

Oct 29, 2011 Sports

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Former European and current middleweight champion, Howard “Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and up and coming prospect, Edmond DeClou, took aim at each other yesterday afternoon at the Banks DIH Thirst Park office, launching scathing verbal exchanges and from all indications the sobriquet ‘Thirst Park Explosion’ attributed to tonight’s 48 rounds boxing extravaganza is apt and will ricochet in every nook and cranny of Georgetown.
The two were among the many boxers scheduled to appear on tonight’s card promoted by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) but certainly were not the only ones to trade vitriolic exchanges. Pauline London and Gwendolyn ‘Stealth Bomber’ O’Neil also appeared to be nurturing deep seated hatred for each other with the former pugilist promising a ‘toe to toe clash’ in the 12 rounds shindig for the latter fighter’s Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light/heavyweight belt.
Troy Lewis also hit top gear and told Iwan Azore to his face that he is not in his category and subsequently declared that the fight would not last the distance. Azore took the veiled threats in stride and simply promised to dish out a first class licking to his man ‘just for his mouth.’
Barbadian, Julian Tannis arrived in Guyana hours earlier and has already swung his mind into fighting mode and his mouth to abrasive promises, while Mark Austin and Jermaine King, not to be outdone, hurled threats at each other with the latter fighter making light of an earlier defeat at the hands of the former while declaring that the impending bout would have vastly different results.
Of the team of boxers present at the forum, only Clive Atwell and Orland ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers exercised restraint and instead of outlandish predictions, restricted their comments to mild predictions.
DeClou appeared to be in awe of the feats of the former European champion and initially, even though he had promised to win convincingly, shied away from a prediction. It was only after Eastman outlined his intentions to launch a serious attack on the Lindener that DeClou crawled out of his shell. “I’m a smart fighter and am capable of adapting to any situation,” he declared. DeClou further pointed out that his decision to switch camps to the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing gym from his hometown Young Lion’s gym was inspired by a desire to expand his knowledge base and by extension, his chances of coming out victorious.
He remains adamant that any respect nurtured for the former European champion is purely a respectful gesture that will not wend its way past the ropes. “I’m excited with excitement,” countered Eastman.
London and O’Neil, strategically positioned at opposite ends of the long table, were equally abrasive to each other. “Mr. Abdool, I want to know if after I am finished with O’Neil whether I would go home with her belt?” enquired London. When the GBBC president responded affirmatively she blurted, “Good, because I intend to buss up she mouth and take her belt.”
“You gon take my pants belt,” countered O’Neil. “I have absolutely no time to go dancing and waltzing,” she continued while promising to close up shop very early.
Hardy has once again promised to apply the infamous ‘chin checker,’ the punch that knocked Winston Pompey into oblivion. The knockout artist has since procured the managerial services of Attorney-at Law, Ronald Birch Smith and promised that should Tannis pass the ‘chin check’ then he (Hardy) would resort to the wide array of ammunition in his well stocked armory. Unperturbed, Tannis said that he remains unmoved by Hardy’s rhetoric. He said that he is made of sterner stuff and Hardy had better come prepared for a tough battle. The muscular Barbadian said that he possesses astounding courage and cited a previous loss—the only one in which he suffered a knockout. He said that during the bout he had endured a broken rib yet he continued fighting like a lion.
The Barbadian admitted that he was eventually knocked out and exited the ring on a stretcher but his astounding courage and resistance were the talking point for days afterwards. “That is the courage and determination I bring to this bout and which Hardy will have to surpass,” he declared.
Indeed, the various principals are spewing vitriol but as the saying goes, ‘mouthar and guitar are two different organs.’ If indeed the boxers deliver on their threats tonight’s explosion would be so deafening as to bring out the fire brigade and the bomb squad. The ambulance will definitely be at the venue from as early as the first gong—just in case.
The card is being sponsored in part by Banks DIH Ltd under the Tropical Mist and Banks Beer products and executive of that organization Carlton Joao wished all the principals good luck. His sentiments were echoed by President of the WIBA, Ryan Wissow.
Those attending the event will do well to get there before the first bell sounds at 20:00hrs sharp. There will be a delayed broadcast instead of the live action and the admission price moves to $2,500 for the inner ringside while the outer ringside will be $1,000. Two lucky patrons would travel to Trinidad and Tobago if their tickets stubs are pulled from a box at the end of the card.

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