Clive ‘The Punisher’ Atwell on the precipice of world acclaim

Apr 28, 2013 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin

Just over 3 years ago, on January 29, 2010, Clive Atwell stripped off his shirt after a prolific tenure in the amateur ranks. He was merely 22 years old and had only recently returned from Brazil where he had clinched a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. With just 2 years to the London Olympics, the pundits felt that, handled properly, Clive would have been the perfect candidate to eclipse the Michael Parris 1980 Moscow Olympics bronze medal feat. That was not to be as local boxing administrators failed to acknowledge the unique talent by initiating the relevant strategies to enhance Atwell’s skill thus augmenting Guyana’s chances at the coveted but elusive accolade.
Atwell certainly had an illustrious amateur tenure that climaxed in 2009 with a bronze medal at the Brazil Pan American Games. Two years earlier, he had travelled to Chicago to participate in the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) World Amateur Championships but left that tournament empty handed. It was after the Brazil sojourn, and after realizing that he had attained all he could within the stifled amateur environment, that Atwell decided to take off his shirt.
Atwell’s decision to box professionally was greeted by the usual scorn and skepticism of the critics who felt that his transition onto the professional scene was ill conceived and nothing short of suicidal. Notwithstanding this, Atwell ventured into the professional arena in January 2010 and notched up a win against Charlton Skeete.
Eight months later, Atwell opposed Mark Austin and despite the disparity in experience (Austin was then 3-0 with one knockout), Clive managed to hold Austin to a draw even as many who saw the fight felt that he (Atwell) was ‘done in.’ The drawn decision is still the only blemish to Atwell’s professional record and after knocking out Rudolph Fraser and Revlon Lake he won the national featherweight and lightweight titles respectively. Atwell also knocked out Prince Lee Isidore to capture the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light/welterweight title before defeating Venezuelan, Rafael Hernandez to add another lucrative accolade, the CABOFE Featherweight belt, to his bulging collection.
With a 10-0-1 professional record, Atwell now stands on the threshold of greatness and will soon participate in the World Boxing Council (WBC) 50th Anniversary tournament for a chance to enhance his financial and social standing. He has boxed a total of 50 rounds and has a knockout ratio of 45.45%. Further, Atwell’s participation in the WBC anniversary tournament provides a golden opportunity for him to break into the top ten rankings (WBC) while procuring big paydays.
Atwell is undoubtedly the best local talent and has perfected the gift of gab, a valuable asset in the international sporting world. He packs a punch and seems to be determined to achieve the ultimate goal.
The four titles champion is in no hurry to sign a managerial contract but he has recently procured the services of Eurik Hohenkirk, the CEO of Town to County Real Estate, whose expert business acumen will stand the champion in good stead until he decides to sign a managerial contract.
Atwell is trained by veteran coach, Lennox ‘Cappell’ Daniels but has a team of advisors like Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore, Dexter Patterson and Maxwell Massiah. He shares a special bond with the latter individual and just hours before he had engaged Hernandez, Mr. Massiah dispatched a text to boost his moral and inspire him to victory. “You have to be prepared to be a no-nonsense, vicious, focused fighter with only pure, bad, pain inflicting intentions on your mind to show (Hernandez) that Clive Atwell don’t tolerate disrespect from nobody. Remember, you are an earthquake……”
That message served to boost Atwell’s moral and his terse reply was, “And I will shake my surroundings!” Atwell went on to carve out a lopsided decision over Hernandez to become the first Guyanese to hold 4 prestigious belts at the same time.
Atwell has since added the sobriquet ‘The Punisher’ to his name. Indeed, it is a fitting attachment, for those that have failed to fall, have had to endure severe punishment before suffering the ignominy of a loss.
Atwell has since left for his adopted home, Dominica, but he will soon return to continue trading punches in the local square jungle. Consequently, he is also honing his skills while waiting patiently for his chance to ascend the world stage. With the WBC Championship Cup tournament looming, his rise to greatness seems to be coming sooner rather than later.

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