Williamson is Guyana’s new super/bantamweight champion but Allicock cries foul

Dec 15, 2014 Sports

By Michael Benjamin
Dilan Allicock turned in a commendable display but after twelve rounds of fistic fury, failed to get the nod of the judges when he squared off with Berbician, Richard Williamson for the local super/bantamweight championship at the Area ‘H’ Ground, Rosehall, Berbice, last Saturday evening.
The fight was the main attraction of a three bouts card organized by Thom’s Promotions which also witnessed two other slugfests where Revlon Lake dished out a severe licking to Kishawn Simon that left his face a bloody mess thus earning the former pugilists a lopsided majority verdict, while Derick Richmond overcame James Walcott for the second time in twelve months to win a unanimous verdict in their 6 rounds super/middleweight shindig.

Allicock (right) covers up as Williamson attacks his mid section.

Fighting out of a southpaw style, Allicock entered the first round of the championship fight aggressively, pumping a stiff right jab into his opponent’s face that kept him at bay. The exchanges were light but Williamson stayed in the fight with crisp one two combinations near the end that delighted the small but appreciative crowd.
The two boxers continued to exchange punches into the second round but Williamson surged ahead after landing a stern one two combination to an advancing Allicock just before the bell. Both boxers warmed to the task in the third stanza and Allicock became more aggressive, swinging as he stepped forward. Not to be outdone, Williamson stood his ground and retaliated with several stiff offerings.
The action really picked up in the 4th round with Allicock attacking relentlessly. Williamson got on his bicycle and danced out of range before sliding back in to land a one two combination. Thereafter, fortunes fluctuated with both pugilists enjoying good moments.
Allicock seemed to have found new energy in the 5th round and really lashed out with crosses and hooks while Williamson sought refuge behind highly held guards. The Berbician changed tactics in the 6th round and climbed on his bicycle pumping stiff jabs into his opponent’s face. Not to be deterred, Allicock pressed on and unleashed a sustained body attack on his opponent that pushed him to the ropes in the blue corner where Allicock had a field day.
The experts label the latter round of a 12 rounds fight as the championship rounds; when legs and arms are tired and the boxers are required to dig deep. When the bell rung to start the seventh round, Allicock dug deep and came up with several telling punches that rocked his man. The two fighters then engaged in close combat and a wrestling match ensued before the referee tore them apart. When the bell sounded both fighters stood toe to toe in a wicked exchange that had the small crowd screaming in delight.
Williamson showed the effects of Allicock’s attacks early in the 8th round when his knees buckled from a two fisted attack but recovered admirably to land a few punches of his own to stay in contention.
Fortunes swayed in the final four rounds with both pugilists battling ferociously to impress the judges. A keen toe to toe battle ensued in the eleventh round as punches rained down from both ends and paved the way for a highly anticipated battle in the final round. The boxers did not disappoint and met each other head on in centre ring. Few saw a punch but suddenly, Allicock was on the canvass and the referee instituted a mandatory 8 count. Really, it was a sneak punch and hardly anyone, including this writer, could have assertively pronounced on it; the deduction shifted the scorecard slightly.
Allicock’s body language suggested that the referee had erred and on resumption, attempted to recoup the point with a valiant two fisted attack up to the bell where he started a mini celebration; the judges’ scores bore a different reflection; Francis Abraham, Eion Jardine and Trevor Arno all scored the bout 117-111, in favour of Williamson which was vociferously debunked by team Allicock.
“I don’t know which fight those judges were looking at, I totally outboxed him, this is highway robbery,” a dejected Allicock pronounced after the decision.
Berbician, Kishawn Simon, also felt that he was ‘done in’ after the judges ruled in favour of Revlon Lake in their eight rounds jnr/welterweight encounter. While he felt he had an iron clad case for review, his countenance relayed a different story. Large welts decorated his face compliments of vicious punches thrown with unerring accuracy by Lake. The Barbados based Lake is just off a loss in Trinidad and Tobago, to Prince Lee Isidore but proved that he is indeed made of sterner stuff when he literally outpunched Simon to gain the nod on all three judges scorecard.
James Walcott, also a substitute for Romeo Norville, turned in an improved performance compared to his last clash with Derick Richmond but just could not find his rhythm or his opponent’s Achilles heel to reverse his fortunes in their eight rounds jnr/welterweight encounter. To his credit, though, Walcott did present some problems for Richmond and also had him on the back foot on several occasions.
Two amateur exhibition bouts also supplement the card and witnessed Junior Kesney and Colin Hinds, both of Rosehall Jammers, entertaining the crowd with a commendable performance while Jamal Eastman barred fists with Tyronne Lashley in a crowd pleasing affair.
Several corporate entities supported the promoter’s efforts including Castle Hotel of New Amsterdam, Luxury Flats and Apartments, Fifth Street Alberttown, Georgetown, Jeansville Hideout, Rosehall Town, Mohammed Construction, Lusignan ECD, Leisure Inn, August Beverage and Unicom Cement.