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Knockout victory highly likely when Bess and Cox engage in battle of the punchers
Over the past months Kurt Bess has carved a name for himself, brutally knocking out, Anthony Augustin,
Kurt BessMitchell Rogers and Cleveland Fraser to be crowned the local cruiserweight and heavyweight champion after his victories over the latter two pugilists.
In the meantime, Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) heavyweight champion, Barbadian Shawn Cox, has also built a reputation after disposing of Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes among others and eventually distinguished himself after winning the above accolade. Naturally, the two were on a collision course and there were cross border exchanges as both pugilists attempted to lift themselves as the better in the eyes of the boxing experts.
Their voices have resonated into the office of President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Peter Abdool who along with other executives managed to pit the skills of the two warriors in a card slated for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Saturday, December 17. Since both fighters pack a mighty wallop, the pundits are already predicting a knockout victory though the views as to who will knock out who remain divided.
The monthly Friday Night Fights which commenced in February 2010 has positively transformed the local boxing landscape and now, some 100 odd professional and 77 amateur bouts later, is set to reach a climax when the two knockout artistes clash for Cox’s Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) heavyweight belt.
Indeed, this is a fitting culmination to the monthly ritual that has produced several CABOFE and local champions not to mention the vast input in the amateur boxing fraternity where several of these pugilists have distinguished themselves among their Caribbean and Latin American counterparts at prestigious international outings.
The card could not have hit a more fitting climax than the impending fight between Cox and Bess, two pugilists that have featured extensively during the programme’s 18 month’s existence.
The latter fighter has had a turbulent start to his professional career, losing to Trinidadian Kirston Manswell on debut and then to Mitchell Rogers and Anthony Augustin. He went on to avenge the latter two defeats in the process clinching the two prestigious accolades he currently holds.
Cox had stamped his authority with a brutal knockout victory over Anthony Augustin and a points decision over Leon ‘The Lion’ Gilkes in earlier editions of the Guyana Fight Nights card. The Bajan fighter packs a wallop but falls short in boxing skills. Kaieteur Sport caught up with him via telephone as he put the finishing touches to his training sessions at the Belfield Boxing Gym, Black Rock Barbados under the tutelage of his coach, Sam Layne.
At that time Cox was pounding away at the heavy punching bag so Mr. Layne spoke on his behalf. The veteran trainer is spouting confidence and believes that his charge could win by knockout if the fight enters the latter stages. He said that Bess is a dangerous prospect but Cox is just as devastating. “Bess packs a mighty wallop but Cox is a strong fighter and is preparing for a rough fight,” said Mr. Layne. He further said that his boxer has had a tune up bout against Mexican Francisco Alvarez earlier in November and stopped his man in the 3rd round. The victory was sweet revenge for Cox who had suffered a loss to the Mexican in an earlier amateur contest.
Providing more details of the bout, Layne said that his fighter conceded 35 pounds to the Mexican yet it was he (Cox) who controlled the fight. He said that his charge continued his dominance over heavier opponents during training sessions upon his return to Barbados.
The veteran coach is also confident that Miguel Antoine would replicate an earlier victory over Mark Austin in their 140lbs shindig. He said that his charge is a natural junior/welterweight but has acquiesced to fight in the higher division. “He is oozing confidence,” proclaimed Layne of his fighter’s state of mind. He also feels that his charge will have the psychological advantage after capturing a decisive points decision in the first encounter.
Shawn Cox
Both Bess and Austin were also hard at work at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym, Albouystown under the guidance of George Oprecht. Austin has scoffed at Antoine’s predictions and has promised to reverse the losing verdict of the earlier bout. He said that he has engaged in introspection, made the requisite adjustments and is good and ready for a war.
Bess is also upbeat and judging from his staunch application to his training sessions, has his eyes set on a victory. He did intimate that he will win the bout even though he has stopped short of predicting the manner of victory.
Otherwise, the Elton Dharry/Orland Rogers clash should provide some entertainment. The last time the two met, Dharry had pounded out a split decision verdict while ‘Pocket Rocket’ had cried foul. He had pleaded for a return match and this could be his golden opportunity of reversing his fortunes. This fight replaces the Clive Atwell/Gardiel Roberts match after the former pugilist was unable to travel from his Dominican base for the encounter
Otherwise, debutant Slowe will attempt to start his professional career on a winning note against the more experienced Hewley Robinson. There will also be the customary complement of 4 amateur bouts while admission remains at $1,000 for adults with children paying half that amount.
The card is sponsored by Banks DIH Ltd, Castrol, Giftland Office Max, Ansa McAl and Courts. Patrons are advised to retain their ticket stubs for a special drawing at the end of the card. The winner will receive two airline tickets to Trinidad and Tobago compliments of Red Jet Airlines.
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