Guyana Boxing Association/Demerara Distillers Ltd U-16 boxing tournament…Punches galore as nation’s Simon Pures show off wares

Jul 29, 2013 Sports

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They are touted as boxers for the future and those pugilists that competed in the finals of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA)/Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) U-16 boxing tournament certainly fitted the bill with several action packed encounters when activities concluded at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG) yesterday afternoon.

The appreciative crowd had a whiff of what was in store from as early as the third bout when son of multiple champion Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore, Isaiah Moore, of the Harpy Eagles Boxing Gym (HEBG), faced off with Teo Bumbury of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) in the 70-74lbs class.  Both boxers attacked from the first gong and were engaged in delightful exchanges with each attempting to outslug the other. The referee was hardly required to intercept as both boxers pounded away at each other. It was indeed a good start to the programme and the ideal decision might have been a draw. However, amateur rules dictate that one must win and in the end the judges decided that Moore had done enough to earn the verdict.
One fight earlier, Isaiah’s sibling, Leon (jnr), failed to uphold the tradition when he dropped a points decision to Orwayne Harris in the 60-64lbs category while in the first bout of the day, Jaime Kellman outhustled Moses Oxford on his way to a majority verdict in the 55-59lbs division.
The 80-84lbs clash between John Moore (FYF) and Shaquille Wright of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) was a gem when Moore, fighting out of a southpaw stance, commenced his journey in a business-like manner with vicious combinations and crosses to clearly take the first round. The pattern continued into the second stanza with Moore launching several bombs and Wright covering up. Midway into the round, Wright awoke from his lethargy and served up several hard punches to his opponent’s head but Moore took it like a man and kept advancing. Though he lost the second round, Wright’s performance was far improved.
Shaquille finally got it ‘Wright’ in the final round when both pugilists went after each other with close quarter exchanges that delighted the crowd. It was certainly a revamped effort from Wright but it proved to be too little too late and he lost by a majority decision. Moore was consequently rewarded with the Best Boxer’s award at the end of the proceedings.
Moses Oxford tried his best but just could not match the skill and determination of Jaime Kellman and he eventually dropped the decision in their 55-59lbs shindig.
The 95-99lbs clash between Odeny Moore (EBG) and Kurt Allicock was a classy and bruising affair where the latter boxer employed a two fisted attack mixed with spurts of class to claim the victory. Though he was comfortably ahead in the final round, Allicock refused to be complacent and lashed out with a series of wicked uppercuts to his opponent’s body that had his man blocking up to stave off the onslaught.
Akeisha Arokium and Tandeka Benjamin were the only two females in the competition and they battled in the 105-109lbs division. The former boxer was by far the more experienced and she wasted little time in letting her opponent know it. Several ramrod shots connected to Benjamin’s head and she sought refuge behind high guards. She managed to survive the first stanza but her demeanour never suggested permanence. Arokium attacked just as the second round commenced and a stiff jab landed on Benjamin’s nose and drifted her backwards prompting the referee to wave the proceedings off.

Shaka Moore (EBG) failed to show up for his 105-109lbs bout and gifted a walk over to Orin Bancroft moments before Tefon Green (HE) and Junior Henry (FYF) squared off in the 110-114lbs class. Both fighters were superbly conditioned and engaged in toe to toe exchanges much to the delight of the spectators. The bout swayed like a pendulum with both pugilists enjoying great moments. Green backed his man to the ropes and pummelled him but Henry retaliated with a four punch combination that evened the score somewhat. The third round was felt to be the decider but even then the boxers refused to relent and punches rained right up to the end. It was indeed a pity that one had to lose and the judges decided that Henry had done enough and awarded him the bout.
The bout in the 85-89lbs class between Joshua Corbin of the Caryll Boxing Gym (CBG) and Deshon Elcock (EBG) ended when the referee stopped the proceedings in favour of the latter boxer. The entertainment continued when Keion Williams of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym (PRBG) faced Rayon Legal (FYF) in the 115-119lbs division. Once again a slugfest ensued with both boxers scoring wicked punches. In the end it was Williams that won the bout and the title.
With one fight to go, the crowd started to walk out but were stopped in their tracks when Quincy Boyce (GDF) opposed Travis Hubbard (HEBG).  The two gladiators went after each other with gusto and Boyce first wilted after a clout to his temple. Luckily the referee missed it and he was not subjected to the mandatory eight. Undaunted, Hubbard lashed out and had his man on the back foot for most of the bout. Boyce did manage to stitch in a few salvos but found the determination and grit of his opponent too much to handle thus conceding a majority verdict. Eight years old, Malrick Walcott, received a special prize for being the youngest boxer in the tournament.
Earlier, Government official, Odinga Lumumba delivered a pep talk to the boxers and urged them to box within the ambits of the rules. Mr Lumumba complimented Mr Ninvalle on his astute organizational skills even as he noted that the ALBG (which is now under the care of the GBA) was properly maintained. “Let’s hope that we are able to produce future world champions from these tournaments,” exhorted Lumumba.

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