Clive Atwell in biggest fight of his life

Jun 09, 2016 Sports

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Needs $5million for 2nd surgery

By Sean Devers
At 27 Clive Atwell holds the National Featherweight and Lightweight Title and WBC CABOFE Super Lightweight and Featherweight crowns. He is a humanitarian and functions as a Local Preacher with the Methodist church in

the Caribbean and Americas, operating out of the Guyana District and Dominica Circuit.
But Atwell grew up in First Street Agricola with his grandmother, Margaret Douglas. He became involved in Boxing at 13 at the Ricola Boxing Gym in Agricola under the watchful eyes of Coach Donald Allison and is now engaged in the biggest fight of his life.
His world started to unravel at the Giftland Mall on October 24 during the ninth round of his WBC FECARBOX Lightweight title fight against fellow Guyanese Dexter Gonzales.
“During the sixth round I experienced a funny feeling in my legs but did not worry about it. Then about mid way through the ninth round in a fight I was leading on the judges card, I felt a funny sensation as I leaned back to evade a punch and then I fainted and was taken to the Hospital where my wife was told that I was bleeding in my brain,” Atwell recounted.
“I had to do a surgery which was done by Dr Amernauth Dookie who did a good job. The Boxing Board, my wife, Mother-in-Law, the WBC (C’bean body) and I paid the hospital bill and I was discharged after the money started running out,” Atwell said.
Atwell returned from Italy and made his professional debut in 2009 with the support and guidance of Coach Paulette Nurse and Leon Moore fighting out of Ricola Gym now known as Donald Alison Gym.

Atwell fought for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) Super Lightweight Title against Trinidadian Prince Lee Isidore and then won the National Lightweight Title.
He won the WBC CABOFE Featherweight Title when he fought Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez. This qualified him for the WBC World Featherweight Title in Mexico against Johnny Gonzalez.
After representing Guyana in Mexico, Atwell fought in Australia for the Interim PABA Super Featherweight Title before battling Jamaican Sakima Mullings for the WBC CABOFE Super Lightweight Title.
His career was gaining momentum before it began falling apart for Atwell who says that growing up in a village, as a young man, where the majority of society expects you to be just another statistic is never an easy road, adding that he joined amateur boxing to use his time and excessive energy constructively and remain out of trouble.
“I was told I had to get a plate inserted to protect my brain and was advised to go to the USA or England. I went to Trinidad because that was all I could have afforded. I spoke to Dr Steve Mahadeo from the St Clair Medical Centre and he gave me the cost to do the operation,” Atwell disclosed.
“My wife and a few others are the only ones helping me. I went through all the procedures. I wrote to Minister (Nicolette) Henry and she is useless. I also wrote to Chris Jones (Director of Sports) and Alfred King (Permanent Secretary Min of Sports). I sent two letters to President Granger seeking some assistance as someone who has represented this county in Sports and I am yet to get a reply. I am totally fed up,” said Atwell, who lived in Dominica for nine years when his wife moved there to go to University but still represented Guyana in the ring.
At the beginning he struggled as he tried to understand the sport. It was only a short time after this that people had the opportunity to see his true talent, technique, skill and speed all done through strong guidance and motivation by Coach Allison.
Atwell’s hard work, discipline and determination continued to stand out and after the passing of Allison, he continued to showcase his talent with the help of Coach Paulette Nurse.
Atwell fought at the World Championship in Chicago and also at the PAN American Games in Brazil where he won a bronze medal, which is the closest Guyana ever came to the Olympics since Michael Parris in 1980.
He continued to dominate the local and regional scene, he was nominated to represent Guyana at the 2009 World Championship in Italy.
These trips were sometimes done through limited funding and support. He travelled with little to no money halfway around the world to countries where he knew no one, sometimes without a coach. To prepare himself mentally after seeing the overwhelming support opponents received and travelled with, was difficult and psychologically breaks you but Clive’s determination to keep the Golden Arrowhead flying proudly pushed him to be better than the best.
After Clive returned from Italy he made his professional debut in 2009 with the support and guidance of Nurse and Leon Moore fighting out of Ricola Gym now known as Donald Alison Gym and was awarded the most successful boxer.
Now Atwell is pleading with those he fought for to lend a helping hand to save his life as he attempts to raise $5 Million. Yesterday the Champion, in the company of Boxing Promoter Herman Harris visited a few places to seek help in funding his surgery.
NCN TV will do a telethon for Atwell, who captured Guyana’s three Gold medals at the Caribbean Championship in 2004, 2005 and 2006 showcasing talent that was born and nurtured in Agricola.
“I thank Bishop G. Spencer and the Methodist church Guyana District, Rev Dr Novelle Josiah and the Methodist church Dominica Circuit and Pastor Marcy of Sheba life Guyana, LIAT for the support in the past and continued support and Fly Jamaica who has pledged their future support towards my recovery.”
An account will be set up at a local Bank for those desirous of helping to save a life and time is of vital importance. Atwell, who can be contacted on telephone number 642-9961, informed that the doctors in T&T says the surgery has to done as soon as possible adding that as soon as he can raise the money he will travel.

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