Georgetown pugilists overwhelms rural counterparts in action packed encounters

Nov 17, 2013 Sports

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By Michael Benjamin
They certainly were unable to emulate the performances of their city counterparts but several of the Simon Pures out of Bartica turned in commendable performances, much to the delight of the small but appreciative crowd when action in the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Champion of Champions boxing tournament commenced at the Bartica Community Centre Ground Friday evening last.
It was not an unreasonable expectation that the city boys would have dominated their rural counterparts but the disparity in skills certainly did not preclude the Barticians from fighting their hearts out. Also, the Barticians were also required to match gloves with their gym mates by dint of overpopulation in certain divisions.
Ron Smith (GDF) was especially brutal when he faced Bartician, Troy Sancho, in the welterweight division. The soldier made his intentions clear from the early stages of the inaugural round when he unleashed a two fisted attack that sent his man to the canvass for the mandatory count. A determined, but clearly outclassed Sancho re-entered the fray but was met by another flurry that had him retreating and blocking up.
The Bartician pugilist entered the second stanza with blazing fists and connected with several unorthodox punches to Smith’s head. The latter boxer retaliated with a flurry that pushed Sancho into the blue corner even as he covered up to stem the ferocious punches. It was 1:48secs into the second round when Smith unleashed several body blows and then converted to the head. A clearly hurt Sancho attempted to fend off the blows but by then the referee decided that he had seen enough and waved off the one sided fight.
Diwani Lampkin (FYF) and Travis Hubbard (HEBG) clashed in the super/featherweight division in a toe to toe encounter that really delighted the audience. Both fighters started the first round speedily, each connecting with wicked blows to body and head. The first round was extremely close as both pugilists gave as many as he received. The second round was a replica of the first; Lampkin connected with several right crosses with Hubbard returning the favour ten-fold. The two then engaged in a delightful toe to toe battle with no quarters asked and none given. The fight remained close even up to the end of the second stanza and by now each pugilist had won over sections of the crowd who urged them on.
Buoyed by the chants of his supporters, Hubbard upped the ante and a wicked right to Lampkin’s temple forced the referee to institute the mandatory eight count. Lampkin did score with a few telling blows nearing the end but a game Hubbard refused to be denied and matched his aggression right down to the bell. The judges ruled that the Harpy Eagles product had done enough to earn a close verdict.
Delroy Allicock (EBG) and Kevon Mulling then clashed in the 75-79lbs category and the latter boxer stamped his authority with a well-planned offensive that earned him a majority verdict. At one time, Allicock walked into a series of uppercuts and recognising the effectiveness of the attack, Mulling literally overused the punch, still Allicock failed to find the right counteracting strategies and eventually lost the bout.
Two Bartician pugilists, Ali Maziel and Rawle Simon the clashed in the 75-79lbs division and the two greenhorns traded blows for the duration of the bout. It mattered not that most of the punches lacked timings and direction; all that mattered for the boxers was that they were throwing punches. At the end of it all, the judges ruled in favour of Simon.
Two other Barticians, Zeggie Edwards and Shaquielle Nurse clashed in the 90-94lbs division and after another crowd pleasing affair the former boxer came out victorious. Kemo Small then faced off with Stevie Doprado in the 110-114lbs division and once again it was the battle between the greenhorns with Doprado having his hands raised after the final bell had sounded. Akil Mounter then registered the second victory for his club, the Essequibo, Boxing Gym, over Sheldon Bowen (Bartica) to cap an interesting night of fistic fury.
Meanwhile, President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle was at the occasion and complemented his organizers for a very good job. He said that the tournament was testimony of the projections of his executives to expand the sport to all ten regions. Mr Ninvalle wished the boxers well and urged them to compete within the ambits of the rules while remaining disciplined. He then said that he has been in discussions with head of Briso Promotions, Ceon Bristol who intimated a desire to promote a card in the Mining Town in April 2014.
Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford was also at the fights and said that he was satisfied with the performances. He said that the event provided a welcome treat for Barticians and urged them to come out in their numbers and support the finals last night. He said that the last time his town folks had enjoyed fistic action was in 1994 when Leon Moor fought against a Columbian. “Nothing would please me more than to have boxing on our yearly calendar,” said Mr Bradford. The finals were staged last evening and the big guns the likes of Markember Pierre, Imran Khan and Eon Bancroft including female pugilists, Malika London and Dwon Thompson, were also to have been in action.

 

 

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