Clive Atwell turns in great display to clinch WBC CABOFE title

Apr 22, 2013 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
His fans have dubbed him ‘The Punisher’ and last Saturday evening Clive Atwell exemplified the sobriquet when in a clinical display of ring smart and grit, he overcame a game Venezuelan, Rafael Hernandez, to add the prestigious World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) featherweight title to three similar accolades procured over the past two years when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) ‘Firestorm’ boxing extravaganza concluded at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) Saturday evening last.

Jamaican Sakima Mullings had little trouble against Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman and after a credible performance, waltzed away with the World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) welterweight title. Mark Austin then stripped Gladwin Dorway of his perceived invincibility to cart off the local junior/middleweight belt, while Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry was hardly required to break a sweat to retain his bantamweight title against Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers after the latter fighter quitted in the 3rd round, complaining of an injury to his foot. Mahmood ‘The Dentist’ Loul found a tough patient in Derick Richmond who refused to submit to an extraction.  In the end the two battled to an exciting draw in their 4 rounds super/middleweight clash.
The Atwell/Hernandez bout started at a brisk pace with the southpaw Hernandez shuffling forward while flicking a sharp jab in Atwell’s face. The Guyanese pugilist danced around while holding a high guard and occasionally attempting to seize the initiative with crisp head and body shots. The first round was a clear indication of what fans could have expected and set the tone for one of the most entertaining bouts seen locally for some time.
Hernandez waded into Atwell at the start of the second round pushing the Guyanese back with sharp right jabs and left crosses. His body attack was indeed commendable and he easily clinched the honours in this round.
Atwell entered the third stanza in a purposeful mood and rocked Hernandez with several right crosses. Not to be outdone, Hernandez traded blows with his shorter foe and the round climaxed to a delightful conclusion with Atwell working on the inside and Hernandez giving as much as he received.
Hernandez was especially brutal in the 4th round when he lashed out and pushed Atwell backwards. He struck several times to Atwell’s head and interspersed the attack with severe body blows. Atwell danced out of range and retaliated with a few good punches up to the bell in a round that clearly belonged to Hernandez.  It was around then that the first set of scores was read; Trinidadian judge, McKenzie Granger had the bout even 39-39, while Eon Jardine had Atwell ahead 39-38. Venezuelan Nicolas Hidalgo had Hernandez in front, 40-37.
Buoyed by the encouraging start to the bout, Hernandez continued with a venomous attack to Atwell’s body. Atwell emulated the Venezuelan with some crisp body blows. Hernandez then delivered a wicked right hook to Atwell’s body but the Guyanese blocked and served up a wicked left hook of his own shortly before the end of the round.

Hernandez started the 6th round dancing and jabbing with an occasional straight left. The boxers then engaged in a nice exchange at close range when a clash of heads separated them. Referee Samuel Burgos of Miami ruled that Atwell was at fault and consequently deducted a point from his score. Undaunted, Atwell upped the ante and before the round had concluded, had sent Hernandez reeling from a 2 fisted body and head attack.
Atwell seemed determined to recoup the lost point and steamrolled Hernandez from the start of the 7th   round. After one such attack the referee halted the bout and called in the ringside physician to examine a wound over Hernandez’ left eye. Upon resumption, both pugilists went after each other in a vicious exchange that only ended upon the bell.
Hernandez’ cut man went to work during the one minute respite after the 7th round and sent his boxer back into the fray almost unscathed. It seemed also as though Hernandez had had a second wind; despite sporting a small mouse under his right eye, he continued to show remarkable aggression lashing out with wicked body and head shots.
Both gladiators refused to backpedal as the 8th round commenced. By now Hernandez’ face was transformed to a mess with a small cut over his left eye while he sported a ‘mouse’ below the very eye. The round proved to be Atwell’s best as he breached the Venezuelan’s defence with several sharp salvoes.
Atwell’s hard work was beginning to reap dividends and at the end of the 8th round, two judges, Granger and Jardine, had him ahead 78-76 and 79-74 respectively, while Hidalgo had Hernandez in the lead 77-76.
Atwell turned up the heat at the start of the 9th round and Hernandez’ face continued to show the effects of the punishment he had sustained; his left eye continued to swell and had now retained a blue tinge yet he gamely kept on. The round, however, clearly belonged to Atwell who seemed to be getting stronger as the fight progressed.
Round ten was a replica of the 9th, Atwell continued to score at will while the Venezuelan hung in, scoring occasionally. A vicious right cross slammed into Hernandez’ head but failed to stop him and he ended the round in remarkable fashion.
By now, Atwell was in full flow and entered the 11th round with venom; a 4 punch combination slammed into Hernandez’ body and head but the Venezuelan demonstrated remarkable resilience, dishing out leathers of his own. The crowd joined in and began to chant for Atwell. Buoyed by their enthusiasm, Atwell lashed out and when the bell sounded, was firmly in control of the contest.
Hernandez appeared to be fatigued at the start of the final round, while a super fit Atwell attacked as though it was the first round. He opted to dance around while Hernandez’ legs appeared tired and his shuffling steps had dwindled to a plod.  Atwell served up a heaped helping of right crosses and hooks and when the bell sounded appeared as though he could have easily gone three more. Jardine and Granger maintained a consistency with scores of 119-110 and 118-112. Only this time Atwell, who had trailed for most of the bout on Hidalgo’s card, finally managed to convince the judge who duly scored the bout 116-113 in favour of Atwell.
Earlier, Austin had survived several testing moments against Dorway to register a close verdict. Bernard DeSantos saw the fight as a draw at 112-112, while Trevor Arno and Rawle Aaron voted in favour of Austin 114-113 and 112-110 respectively.
Mullings won his fight after judges McKenzie Granger, Clairmont DeSouza and Francis Abraham scored in his favour, 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112 respectively.
The night got off to a good start when amateur boxer, Quincy Boyce defeated Keron Smith and Candaci Benjamin got the better of Keisha Arokium.   The organizers had promised a firestorm and indeed long after the final bell, the heat could be felt and smoke wafted across the arena. It was the fitting result of a card that delivered as was promised.

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