GDF cart off Lion’s share of awards as National Novices Boxing Championships conclude

Oct 08, 2012 Sports

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Following a night of unorthodox displays and unbridled action, the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) registered 6 victories and were eventually adjudged Champion Gym while their welterweight representative, Chris Holder carted off the Best Boxer award when action in the finals of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) 2012 National Novices Boxing Championships concluded at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Saturday evening last. The Guyana Police Force, back in competition after a prolonged absence, defied several losses to finish in the second place slot.

Indeed, Holder procured the accolade unchallenged after turning in a top display against Mark Wright of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Both pugilists went after each other from the first gong and the ferocity of the onslaught convinced even the uninitiated that the bout would have ended long before the three rounds duration. Punches reigned supreme as both pugilists laced each other with a barrage of awkward punches.
Miraculously, the contest went into the second round but shortly after the commencement Holder connected with several roundhouse punches that thudded into Wright’s temple forcing the referee to administer the mandatory eight count but even before he was halfway through, Wright had signaled his disinterest in continuing. The time was just 1:35secs into the second stanza.
Travis Hubbard of Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (HEBG) and Joel Williamson of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG) also turned in a crowd pleasing display in their 110-117lbs contest.
A skillful boxer, Williamson had to contend with a determined Hubbard whose counterpunching ploys kept him ahead for most of the bout. In the third round, Williamson found a rhythm and dominated most of the time, pushing his taller opponent on the back foot.
Though the effort was commendable, and though Williamson clearly took the honours in that round, Hubbard’s earlier aggression stood him in good stead and the HEBG representative was awarded the 2-1 verdict.
Jamal Mona (GDF) launched a sustained attack on Joshia Dhani of the Rose Hall Jammers forcing him to seek refuge behind high guards. Several of the punches slipped past his defense and the referee administered the count. Though re-entering the fray, Dhani failed to offer any aggression and after another volley of punches had connected to his head, the ‘third man’ wisely waved the proceedings off.
Light/heavyweight Police pugilist, Devon Headley carried a sobriquet ‘Deadly’ which eventually proved to be very misleading’ as his opponent, John Mars (GDF) needed just a four punch volley, delivered in 30secs, to uncover the farce. A punch that grazed Headley’s temple was all it took to strip him of his invincibility as he signaled to the referee that he wished to have nothing more to do with his opponent.
Activities commenced on a sour note after Tyress James (50-54lbs) and Kevon Mullings (55-59lbs) won by default after their opponents, Quincy Wright Essq) and Clyde Williams (FYF) failed to show up. Teo Bunbury (FYF) needed just 38secs to dispose of his gym mate, Irvin Harris, to take their 60-64lbs bout shortly before Kevin Mullings (HEBG) breezed past Shermar Bunbury (FYF) by a 3-0 margin in their 74-79lbs division clash. Jamal Eastman (PRBG) then prevailed over Tyron Lashley (RHJ) in the 80-84lbs division while Cordell Walcott (Essq) proved to be better than his gym mate Odeny Moore.
Tefon Green (HEBG) then defeated his gym mate, Christopher Mansfield in the 90-94lbs category one fight before Shaka Moore (Essq) pounded out a 3-0 verdict over Albert Thomas of the Carryl Boxing Gym (CBG) in the 95-100lbs category.
The referee then stopped the light/flyweight contest between Javid Richards (HEBG) and Mellishon Bharrat in 1:23secs of the 3rd stanza in favour of the former boxer.
In other results Eusibo McIntosh (GPF) lost to Paul O’Neil (GDF) after the referee stopped their Heavyweight contest in 2:33secs of the first stanza while Dawn Phillips and Kenroy Evelyn, both of the GDF, ended the night with a slugfest in the super/heavyweight division where the latter boxer prevailed when the handlers of the former threw in the towel at 1:50secs of the third round.
Meanwhile, shortly after the proceedings ended, President of the GABA, Steve Ninvalle, handed over several stopwatches to the coaches of the various gyms to be used during training sessions.
The GABA President said that he had received the items from international judge and former member of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Wilfred Bhodoo who has always shown an interest in the development of local pugilists.
Mr. Ninvalle conveyed heartfelt gratitude to his benefactor while emphasizing the need for similar assistance from well wishers and the corporate community.

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