Latest update March 29th, 2025 5:38 AM
Thomas, Pierre in thriller as GBA Open boxing championships commences
A brutal, no holds barred encounter between Dennis Thomas of the Guyana Police Force Boxing Gym (GPF) and his Guyana Defence Force (GDF) opponent, Markember Pierre, was one of the exceptional encounters that characterized a night of fistic fury when the curtains went up on the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) triple categories tournament at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, Friday evening last.
Craig (L) and Pierre engaged in a crowd pleasing exchange in the red corner.
Ten bouts were listed in several categories including the elites (male and female) and the juniors, and while there were several no shows and as many lackluster affairs, the sparse crowd was treated to several action packed encounters that compensated somewhat for those bouts.
Thomas and Pierre clashed in the middleweight division of the senior elite category and from the first gong it was apparent that the two had a grudge to settle with each other. Thomas, just back from the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan, unleashed a two fisted attack that had his shorter foe swaying like a ship on an angry sea. Pierre did well to withstand the early assault and retaliated with several looping punches that pushed Thomas backwards. The Police representative quickly reasserted himself and a right cross connected to Pierre’s temple and forced the referee to institute a mandatory 8 count.
Pierre re-entered the fray but was subjected to another onslaught and a second count but despite being on tottery legs, managed to survive the round. A sustained body attack by Thomas had Pierre covering up early in the second round but in his anxiety to really hurt his man, Thomas attacked the body and went a mite low, striking his opponent to the groin. Pierre slid to the ground and was given a 5 minutes reprieve but inexplicably, the referee did not deduct a point from Thomas’ score. When the fight resumed, Thomas resumed the onslaught but a courageous Pierre refused to quit and ended the round trading blows.
Pierre looked the worst for wear with a tiny mouse under his left eye in the third round while Thomas appeared as though he could have easily gone another three rounds. A confident Thomas utilized his jabs to keep his man at bay while converting with looping lefts and rights. At the end of the bout, the judges concurred that Thomas was the more aggressive and voted in his favour.
Earlier, Republican, Kurt Kendall turned in a courageous performance in the first round against Aquincy Harvey (GDF) but flattered to deceive after his opponent turned up the heat and forced him to call it quits in 53 seconds of the second round. Kendall started in a business-like manner but his exuberance caused him to break the rules and the referee deducted one point from his score for pushing. The Republican never seemed to be in the contest but he nevertheless kept on punching though his punches were ineffective.
Harvey met him with a vicious body blow early in the second round and the Republican folded for the referee to commence the count and later wave the bout off when he realized that Kendall was too hurt to continue. The time was 53secs into the second frame.
Bert Braithwaite (GDF) also forced the referee to call a halt to his junior/middleweight elite bout against another Republican, Clifton Graham. The fight was really a one sided affair with Braithwaite utilizing his vast experience to keep his opponent at bay. The end came at 1:29secs of the very first round after Braithwaite evaded a left jab and countered with several punches, one of which opened a small cut over Graham’s left eye forcing the referee to halt the one sided affair.
Jamal Eastman (PRBG) started the night’s proceedings in the 95-99lbs category with a technical knockout verdict over Dishon Allicock of the Essequibo Boxing Gym (EBG) in 1:27secs of the first stanza, while Allicock’s gym mate, Shaquille Wright, reversed the fortunes of his gym with a points win over Harpy Eagle representative, Timothy Evans in the 80-84lbs class. This bout was elevated to a final since those are the only two pugilists in this division. Lightweight, Stephan Gouveia (HE), engaged in a delightful slugfest against Clairmont Gibson (GDF) and eventually won the points verdict.
The two walk over decisions went to Joshua Alexander (YA) over Orin Bancroft (HE) in the 110-114lbs class and Isaiah Moore (HE) against Darius Lyle (YA) in the 70-74lbs class. The boxers rested last night but returns tonight for the finals at the same venue.
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