Fierce punches/brutal knockouts characterize 29th edition of Guyana Fight Night

Aug 06, 2013 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin  
On a night where knockouts were the order, local light/middleweight champion, Mark Austin refused to adhere to conventional procedure but nevertheless surrendered a close split decision verdict to Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman when they clashed in a non-title 8 rounds light/middleweight contest in the feature attraction of the 29th Edition of the Guyana Fight Night boxing card at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), Saturday evening last.
All of the other professional fights ended prematurely with Laured ‘The Nightmare’ Stewart setting the tone with a first round demolition of Eversley Brown in their middleweight fight. Not to be outdone, Derick Richmond followed suit with a devastating second round knockout victory over Romeo Norville, while Clive ‘‘The Punisher’ Atwell mixed aggression with hostility to knockout Anson Green in the 3rd stanza of their scheduled 8 rounds lightweight shindig.

Eastman entered the ring glistening with sweat, obviously well warmed up for the duel, chose to bounce around in the early stages of the first round, while Austin, fighting out of a southpaw stance, shuffled forward with several crosses, most of them cleverly evaded by the wily Eastman. The ‘Battersea Bomber’ entered the second stanza with more purpose, lashing out with vicious right crosses and hooks even as Austin stood his ground and duplicated his opponent’s aggression; both pugilists finished the round engaged in a tidy mid ring exchange.
The pace picked up in the third stanza and both boxers scored telling blows before Eastman steered Austin in the red corner and unleashed a volley of body shots. Austin attempted to evade the onslaught but never bargained for the excessive water on the canvass, slid and sustained a slight injury to his knee forcing the intervention of the ringside physician. He re-entered the fray shortly afterwards and stayed in contention with several crunching shots that forced Eastman to backpedal.
The disparity in skill became apparent in the 4th round when Eastman chose to fight on the inside. He mixed his punches at close quarters and dictated the pace. Austin attempted several crosses but it was clear that Eastman had taken the round.
Eastman’s superior experience came to the fore in the early stages of the 5th round when he chose to fight close, nullifying Austin’s crosses. He then stamped his authority with several crunching shots, many of which sneaked past Austin’s high defence.
The two pugilists continued to battle close in the 6th stanza with each trying to seize the initiative. Austin won the battle in this round when he surprised Eastman with a wicked left hook before following up with several left crosses that snapped his adversary’s head backward and kept him at bay.
Eastman switched his mode of attack in the 7th round and several crisp uppercuts that landed on Austin’s body and chin forcing him to cover up and surrendering the round. Austin retaliated in the 8th stanza with stiff right jabs and left crosses with Eastman seeking refuge behind highly held guards of clinches.
Both boxers were very respectful of each other and none appeared willing to take unnecessary chances and the fight ended on a tame note with both pugilists exchanging tame blows up close. Judge Trevor Arno gave the bout to Austin 78-77 but his colleagues, Carlton Hopkinson and Rawle Aaron voted in favour of Eastman, 77-75 and 80-72 respectively.
Atwell was in no mood for games and he sounded his intention from the very first gong with sharp left jabs and straight rights that pushed Green backwards. The latter pugilist, fighting out of a southpaw stance, was content with tame right jabs and straight lefts while backing away.
Atwell aggressively addressed his task in the second round and landed a vicious left hook to Green’s temple, following up with several uppercuts to the body. Green bravely retaliated with tame combinations but it was apparent that Atwell had already taken away Green’s heart.
When the bell sounded for the 3rd round, Green bounded out but was met by a vicious body assault and after an especially wicked left uppercut landed to his midsection, he crashed to the canvas, his face contorted and writhing in pain. Even before referee, Eon Jardine, commenced the count, those pundits in the know had already started to leave the arena even as the ‘third man’ officially completed his task and waved the one sided affair off. The time was 35secs of the 3rd round.
Norville had had a successful start to his professional career in the 28th edition of the card when he disposed of Eversley Brown in commanding fashion. He entered last Saturday night’s fight full of confidence but never bargained for Richmond’s power and determination. Several crunching shots landed on Norville’s nose and transformed his face into a bloody mess, yet he continued to bravely advance. He shrugged aside the pain and shuffled forward but a dancing Richmond lashed out with a volley of punches that worsened his injury and prompted the referee to seek the intervention of the ringside doctor. Norville then re-entered the fray upon the advice of the doctor but Richmond unmercifully lashed out with several jolting blows.
Norville courageously advanced but a determined Richmond refused to be denied and a wicked clout landed on Norville’s jugular and gravity took over. The referee immediately took up the count but even the uninitiated knew it was just a formality; Norville was unable to beat the count and remained on the canvass long after the referee had waved off the bout.
Brown’s walk from his dressing room clocked about some five minutes, 4 more than his eventual stay. Stewart rushed out upon the bell and laced the taller Brown with body and head shots and he tottered like a ship on the stormy sea. A right cross followed by several body shots sent the lanky Brown tumbling to the canvass for the mandatory eight count. He bravely rose and re-entered the fray but his legs were rubbery. Stewart attacked and several punches to Brown’s body and head sent him to the canvass once again, this time for good. The bout had lasted a mere 1:10secs.
Earlier, fans were entertained by 8 amateur boxers in four bouts Tefon Green of the Harpy Eagle’s Boxing Gym (HEBG) lost on points to Junior Henry in the 110-114lbs division. The junior/flyweight clash between Tyron Lashley of the Rose Hall Jammers and Michael April of the Tiger Eye Boxing gym (TEBG) ended after the latter boxer dealt the former several stiff shots and forced the referee to call a halt to the bout in 2:35secs of the third round.
Welterweight, Linden Daniels (GDF) fought gamely but found Travis Fraser (TEBG) a tough customer and conceded a unanimous verdict moments before Jason Barker of the Republican Boxing Gym forced the referee to halt his heavyweight clash with Kelroy Evelyn (GDF) at 2:23 of the second round.
Furniture giants, Courts (Guyana) Ltd once again fulfilled its corporate duty and gifted several large food hampers to the participating amateur boxers. GBBC administrators are currently putting the necessary modalities in place for the 30th edition of the card.

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