Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis National Novices Boxing Championships…Don Cumberbatch impresses as semi-finals action concludes

Aug 01, 2016 Sports

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A gutsy display of skill and raw courage earned GDF representative, Don Cumberbatch, a 3rd round stoppage and a place in the finals of the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis National Novices Boxing Championships, after he scored a devastating technical knockout over Republican bantamweight, Ewart Cobis, when the second night of that championship concluded at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, last Saturday evening.

It was action from the very first gong and the two boxers went after each other as if to settle an old grievance. Blows rained as both boxers tried to inflict maximum pain on the other resulting in a vicious toe to toe battle for the entire first round.
Cumberbatch, the taller boxer, used his height to good advantage and unleashed a barrage of punches even as Cobis refused to wilt. The Republican took his blows and returned the favour, at times pushing his man to the ropes. The war rolled over to the second round with Cumberbatch scoring with telling blows early in the round. Cobis found his rhythm and retaliated with crunching blows that staggered his man and forced the referee to institute the mandatory 8 count.
The two then engaged in a delightful exchange where both received clouts and the referee had to institute counts to both parties. The war continued with both boxers lashing out and when the bell sounded, the referee had to separate them in one of the neutral corners where they were engaged in a delightful exchange of punches.
The fight ballooned into a ‘no holds barred’ affair in the final round and the referee was kept busy doling out mandatory counts to both parties. The bout began to take its toll and as the two went ferociously after each other, it was obvious that one of them would have wilted and indeed it was Cobis who received several clouts and drifted into the ropes for the referee to institute the mandatory count and eventually waved the bout off after deciding that the Republican was too hurt to continue. The time was 2:37secs of the final stanza.
The action spilled into the bantamweight division where Julius Kesney (RHJ) triumphed over Jushaine Ferrier (GDF) to win by TKO in 2:46secs of the 3rd round. Earlier, the two boxers were engaged in delightful exchanges with each taking the initiative. The tide changed in the 3rd stanza after Kesney scored with a wicked right hand that forced the mandatory count. Upon resumption Kesney upped the tempo and after he had delivered several unanswered blows to Ferrier’s head, the referee decided that he had seen enough and halted the contest.
The welterweight encounter between Omar Natuhsokhodo of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) and Mark Blake (GDF) was indeed a gem.  The taller boxer, Natuhsokhodo used his height to good advantage, delivering long range punches that kept his man at bay. The lanky boxer was, however, cited for infringement of the rules after delivering several rabbit punches.
All this time, Blake pressed forward and reaped some results when the FYF boxer became tired and opted for close range combat. This is Blake’s territory and he took advantage with several combinations that pushed the lanky Natuhsokhodo backwards.
Realizing that Natuhsokhodo was tired, Blake mustered his energy and lashed out with several telling blows that pushed his man to the ropes where he (Blake) continued the onslaught and in the end influenced the judges who awarded the soldier the fight on points.
In other results, John Phillips (GDF) turned up the heat against Orin Rodrigues (REP) and forced the referee to halt their bantamweight contest at 1:20secs of the 2nd round moments before lightweight boxer, Triston Browne, eked out a split decision verdict over his gym mate, Chris Cummings.
There were two bouts in the jnr/welterweight division and in the first, Colin Hinds (GDF) won on points from Kenroy Fraser (REP) while Leon Semple (GDF) prevailed over Henry Belgrave (PRBG).
Bobby Hou-yen (REP) could not contain Joshua Joseph and lost on points in their welterweight bout while Geraldo Phillips (REP) unanimously won from Jamal Allman (GDF). Joel Peters (GDF) lost by TKO in the 1st round at the hands of Joshua Fraser (GDF) in the middleweight division while Light/heavyweight , Renaldo Niles (GDF) won on points over Sean Kirton (REP). In the heavyweight division, Mark Jhingoree (GDF) lost unanimously to Bryan Leitch (REP) while Germaine Williams (REP) brought the curtains down with a unanimous victory over Ryan Roberts (GDF).
The boxers were at it again last night where the respective champions, best gym, best boxer and other awards would have been established.

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