‘Battesea Bomber’ vows to knockout ‘The Candyman’ in tonight’s return encounter

Oct 13, 2012 Sports

---

 

By Michael Benjamin
It should have been a foreign invasion where Guyanese boxers were to have matched their skills against foreign counterparts but following unfortunate twist of fortunes where several of those overseas pugilists endured hard battles recently and were forced to opt out of their respective bouts, local boxers will oppose each other in various divisions when Hurry Up Promotions present a night of fistic fury at the Banks DIH Ground, Thirst Park tonight.

Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman will lace up gloves against Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy in an 8 rounds light/middleweight affair that could define the career of the latter fighter. Jermaine King will square off with Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) and local middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou in a 6 round shindig that has all the trimmings of a classic encounter. Bantamweight, Charlton Skeete, a budding ‘Coolie Bully’ will tackle the exciting Berbician, Richard Williamson over 6 rounds in what promises to be an action packed duel, while two huge men, former local heavyweight champion, Mitchell Rogers and Anthony Augustin will battle over 6 rounds in the heavyweight division with the latter boxer bent on avenging two previous losses at the hands of the former.
Moore had promoted before, when he had teamed up with Carwyn Holland in the ‘Caribbean Fury’ card sometime ago but this is first attempt on his own and one cannot help but applaud his courage. Despite the unfortunate circumstances that forced a change of the card, Moore has been able to institute the changes that  have the right blend for an action packed card.
Hardy had engaged Eastman before and though he has come out the winner, he will remember the torrid time he was forced to endure. Eastman had turned up the pressure in the latter stages of the bout and had the man of ‘chin checker’ fame in all kinds of trouble. Hardy won the fight but was unable to stop the veteran Eastman who matched his aggression all the way.
Yesterday afternoon, both pugilists appeared at a press conference at the Banks DIH Sports Club and continued to hurl barbs at each other. “Your time has expired and I will ensure that you are properly retired after this bout,” Hardy told Eastman to his face. “You’re full of mouth but let me tell you something—-let’s not wait until fight night; let’s get it on here and now,” Eastman retorted while advancing towards Hardy only to discover that the promoter had assumed a position in between the them. The move prevented a premature fist fight but failed to quell the vitriolic exchanges.
One could expect another slugfest when the two square off tonight and while Hardy has promised to put his man away very early, Eastman has other ideas and said that Hardy will be disappointed this time around. “I am going to retire this old man,” Hardy brashly proclaimed. He also promised to launch a few of his chin checkers.
Moore feels that the Eastman/Hardy bout should compensate for the overseas fighters inability to keep their ring date. He said that both pugilists are in top shape and rearing to go. Despite his earlier victory, and for all of Candyman’s boasts, he will be required to dig deep to get past Eastman whose experience far outweighs his opponent’s.
Another battle of words erupted when King and DeClou were asked to elaborate on plans for their bout. King boldly told DeClou that he (King) was coming firing on all pistons. DeClou was uncharacteristically garrulous as he pointed out his achievements in comparison to King’s. The latter fighter was unimpressed and reiterated his intention of winning the bout.
Almost all of the other boxers at yesterday’s press conference exchanged caustic barbs and should promises be kept the crowd will be kept on its feet while medical practitioners will be busy lifting prostrate bodies from the canvass. Fans would want to be a part of the spectacle.

Meanwhile, American, Jim Coley arrived in Guyana and attended yesterday’s press conference. He announced his partnership with Moore and said that local fans could look forward to many international fighters here in the near future. He supported Moore’s story that his fighters’ absence was due to their involvement in tough bouts in the USA that left them worst for wear but assured that those boxers would come to Guyana to fight soon.  Mr. Coley would also keep a sharp eye out for young boxers who he could mould and obtain international fights for them.
President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control, Peter Abdool, lauded Moore for his bold move into the promotional arena. He also expressed gratitude to the executives of Banks DIH Ltd for the faith demonstrated in the multiple champion, enough to render corporate assistance. He urged the public to support the card, not from a sentimental perspective, but because of its quality.
Tonight’s action gets underway at 20:00hrs sharp and admission to the venue remains at $3,000 for inner ringside, while those fans occupying the outer ringside will pay half that amount. Weigh in took place last night. Sponsors so far are Banks DIH Ltd, Sterling Products Ltd, Liat and Delta Airlines.

---

---