Controversy erupts as Dexter Gonzalves wins WBC Fecarbox belt

Oct 26, 2015 Sports

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Clive Atwell hospitalized with foot injury

By Michael Benjamin  
Controversy reigned at the Giftland Mall Lilliendaal, ECD last Saturday evening after world rated fighter, Clive Atwell, sustained an injury to his left leg in his fight against Dexter Gonsalves for the WBC Fecarbox super/lightweight belt. The stricken boxer was later rushed to the Balwant Singh Hospital where he underwent surgery and is now resting comfortably.
At the time of the stoppage, Atwell was comfortably ahead on all three of the judges’ score cards. The dynamics changed in the twinkling of an eye after a purported punch by Gonsalves, sent him crashing to the canvass for the referee, following advice from the ringside physician, to wave the bout off at 1:55secs of the 8th round. The win was a major one for Gonsalves and has earned him the coveted accolade.

The results were disappointing for the throngs of fans that turned out to witness Atwell at work on the card dubbed, ‘GBBC/Giftland Office Max Nex Generation,’ at the Lilliendaal, ECD location. The stricken boxer had surgery for a severe injury to his left knee and up to press time, was resting comfortably at the medical institution. However, medical experts have restricted visitors until their approval.
When the fight started, Gonsalves, the taller boxer, employed slick jabs to keep Atwell at bay. Undeterred, Atwell quartered his man and unleashed several stiff body shots that had him covering up. Gonsalves was also up to the task and as the round dwindled to the end he lashed out with a stiff left dig to Atwell’s body before converting with a hook to the head and the huge crowd in attendance settled down for a keen contest.
When the bell sounded for the start of round two, Atwell resumed where he had left off in the previous round and several wicked shots slammed into Gonsalves body; he gamely retaliated with stiff punches and the two pugilists became embroiled in a delightful exchange in one of the neutral corners. Atwell then upped the ante and unleashed a wicked one two combination that pushed Gonsalves to the ropes and further punished him with shots to his body and head.
The third round saw Atwell in full flow and an especially wicked combination rocked Gonsalves and sent him reeling into the ropes. By now the disparity in experience began to show as Atwell seemed to be having things his own way. Obviously the better fighter at close range, Atwell kept up the pressure and lured his opponent into a slugfest where he (Atwell) remained in control.
Gonsalves seemed determined to match Atwell’s aggression which played right into Atwell’s hand as the latter pugilist continued to have a field day with an array of combinations. To his credit, Gonsalves remain patient and kept Atwell on his toes. Whenever Gonsalves changed his tactics and boxed around he looked more superior while removing Atwell from his comfort zone. Atwell’s systematic approaches ensured that he stayed ahead on all three judges’ card and at the end of the 4th stanza, judges, Trevor Arno, Andrew Thorne and Francis Abraham all reflected a shut down for Atwell at 40-36 respectively.
Gonsalves changed tactics in round five, boxing around while stitching in an occasional haymaker. Atwell drew on his experience and before the round was through, had assessed the situation and changed tactics to register several crunching blows to his opponent’s body and head. Atwell also proved that he is a thinking boxer and when the 6th round started, aborted his aggression for a more classy approach; he danced around while throwing stiff jabs and crosses even as Gonsalves pursued him attempting to match his blows. Atwell then hit top gear nearing the end of that stanza and rocked Gonsalves with a three punch combination that sent him reeling into the ropes.
The lanky Gonsalves kept his cool and attempted to slow Atwell with shots to his body and head.
As the rounds piled up, Gonsalves appeared fatigued while Atwell remained fleet footed, pausing momentarily to deliver crisp combinations that kept Gonsalves at bay. Round seven was an especially good round for Atwell; he came out of a wicked exchange, where both pugilists gave as much as he received, appearing fresher even as he upped the ante.
Round eight was as hectic as the preceding rounds with both pugilists attempting to seize the initiative. The turnaround came so fast most of the patrons missed that particular part of the action. Atwell advanced and Gonsalves lashed out. Few saw the punch and many were questioning whether indeed a punch had landed. The audience saw Atwell writhing on the canvass. He rose, but much to the astonishment of a large section of the audience, did so on wobbly legs. Seconds later, referee Eon Jardine directed Gonsalves to the farthest neutral corner before summoning the ringside doctor. The latter individual performed a cursory check and decided that Atwell was too hurt to continue. The stricken boxer was then placed on a stretcher and whisked away to the hospital and is resting comfortably after surgery.
Meanwhile, in brief post fight remarks, and after receiving the coveted belt, Gonsalves admitted that he was hurt in the earlier rounds. He said that notwithstanding, he still believed in himself and was merely biding his time and waiting for the right moment to unleash his bombs. He also said that he had experimented with a sustained body attack which seemed to have been effective. He did not elaborate on his immediate ploy for the advancement of his career.
Imran Khan lived up to his pre-fight prediction and disposed of David Thomas in just 54secs of the third stanza. Khan took command from the very first bell with stiff jabs and long right crosses. Thomas held a high guard but it proved to be porous and just could not keep out Khan’s blows. Thomas was pressed on his back foot and blocked up for most of the round.
The onslaught continued into the second stanza and it was obvious that Thomas would not have survived the end of the scheduled 4 rounds. As the fight progressed, this became even more obvious. The pattern remained the same; Khan lashed out while Thomas attempted to block. Instead, the punches flew past his guards and repeatedly connected to his face and after allowing it for some time, referee Eon Jardine stopped the bout to save Thomas from further punishment.
The 6 rounds welterweight affair between Quincy Gomes and Anson Green had promised much after the latter pugilist had vociferously spelled out his intentions in pre-fight comments. Green failed to live up to his boast and instead, turned in a lackluster performance to surrender a split decision to his opponent. Judges Bernard DeSantos and Andrew Thorne awarded the bout to Gomes 59-55 and 59-54 respectively, while Rawle Aaron felt that Green had won by a 59-54 points margin.
In the opening professional bout, Keeve Allicock utilized 2:55secs of the third round to convince Terrence Adams that he was in the wrong place with the right person, they fought in a catchweight match that was scheduled for 4 rounds.
Earlier, Republican amateur pugilist, Nankumar Singh, bulldozed his way to a points victory over Kellon King in a lightweight fight that had the fans excited, while flyweight pugilist, Dexter Wray got the better of Tefon Green. Republican boxer, Clinton Grayham was also in winners’ row and he forced the doctor to order a halt to his welterweight bout against Glenroy Smith in 2:17secs of the first stanza, while Travis Hubbard proved that his victory over Orin Bancroft last month was no fluke after replicating the performance in the first fight of the night.

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