Clive Atwell talks about his post boxing career on 5th anniversary of brain surgery

Nov 01, 2020 Sports

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By Sean Devers

Kaieteur News – “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” These were the words of former Boxing World title contender Clive Atwell who remembered his near death experience five years ago, on October 24, 2015, an experience that would change his life forever.
While living on the nature Isle of Dominica, he completed a leadership and Human Resource Management course at the Dominican campus and studied Theology in Dominica while still boxing.
It’s not often that you hear of a Pastor who likes to fight and it is God who has helped this ‘Fighting Preacher’ get back on his feet after being battered and bruised physically and emotionally.
Atwell, a former Caribbean Featherweight and WBC–CABOFE Super Lightweight Champion was in a title fight against fellow Guyanese, T&T based Dexter Gonzales at the Giftland Mall when he fainted.
He was subsequently taken to a city hospital where he was diagnosed with Subdural Hematomas Hemorrhage and an emergency surgery was done to decompress the swelling which was jamming on his central nervous system.
A Subdural Hematomas occurs when a blood vessel near the surface of the Brain bursts and blood builds up between the Brain and its tough outer lining. The Surgeon cut his skull to release the pressure and the ‘patch’ (hole in his head) had to be left open for several days to ensure that the swelling decreased. President of the Guyana Boxing Board Peter Abdool paid $2 Million that night for the initial life-saving surgery.

“However, due to the lack of a bone Bank in Guyana the surgeon discarded the piece of bone from my skull which should have been used to cover the hole in my head. This was the beginning of an unforgettable journey for me. I was discharged from the hospital, partially blind, with short term memory loss and poor motor skills. With regular doctor appointments and funds running low I was forced to return to Guyana along my wife and son.”Atwell informed.
The former world rated pugilist, with a professional record of 17 fights, 13 wins, 3 losses with 7 KOs, did not let his situation get the best of him but instead was determined to be a fighter out of the ring with the continued love, support, encouragement and help of his wife, Altavi, who continues to be his number one supporter.
Atwell had gotten married to Altavi and in 2009 moved to Dominica where his only son, Alexander was born in February 2014. He turned Pro a year later while he and his family resided in the Dominica where they lived from 2009 to 2015.
“My wife and I, with all the frustration and fight to raise funds for the second surgery gained the attention of Kaieteur News’ Sports Journalist Sean Devers who survived a cancerous Brian Surgery and understood my predicament. We are now close friends” remembered Atwell who grew up with his grandmother in the village, of Agricola.
“Sean connected us with a group of individuals who later formed a committee named ‘Guyana Community of Service’ which created an upsurge of support for me by organising several fund raisers for my second surgery.” explained Atwell.
The association led Atwell to the USA where he met Lady Ira Lewis, Monica Sanchez and Matt Farrago from Ring 10 who assisted in making arrangement towards the successful Corrective Surgery which was done on August 17, 2016 at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where a titanium mesh was used to cover the hole in his skull.
It is now five years since Atwell’s life was altered from being a skillful fighter in the boxing ring to fighting for his life, after giving up the sport that brought him much passion and hope. His wife says he still misses being a boxer but that has gotten less now that he is involved in the sport as a Coach.
When he goes to the National Gymnasium or the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall now, Altavi and the hyper active six-old Alex is most times there with him. Catching up with Atwell on the anniversary of his of last night as a Boxer, the resourceful Pastor told Kaieteur Sport that he continues to live a determined and more purposeful life through his involvement in community development. He is a committee member of the Central Management Committee for Constituency 15.
He has resuscitated the Ricola Boxing Gym where he had produced Goodwill Games Champion in the person of Shemar Beaton, just before the Covid-19 pandemic started and functions when called upon to assist young Boxers by President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA). Steve Ninvalle.
As an Entrepreneur, Atwell, who turns 32 on November 11, owns an establishment offering Plumbing and a Documentation Services and is also the Coach of Rico Boxing Gym and the Lay Pastor of the Rome Methodist Church in Agricola where he plays a key role in the repairing of the Church.
“Life has not been easy since that dreadful night and there were days I thought of giving up, throwing in the towel, questioning why? But my wife was always there reminding me why I needed to keep pushing, reminding me that my work wasn’t finished.
I had people praying for me when I couldn’t pray and I saw the grace and blessings of Gods every time I was at the cross roads,” said the young family man, who won a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil which made him an Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Olympics.
“Today I’m more appreciative for every second I get to spend with my family, as my wife and I recently celebrated 11 years of marriage. I am humbled by the impact I continue to make in the lives of others in a positive way and to be a motivation to many who feel they can’t go on” concluded a grateful Atwell.

 

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