Thrills on exciting night for young boxers

Good boxing skills and ring craft highlighted Wednesday’s opening of the National Amateur Boxing Championship at the Woodbrook Youth Facility. 

The first bout ended in a walkover victory for Sand City’s Dariel Adams but the rest of the evening was filled with lots of thrills. Defending junior light middleweight champion Ryan Cummings scored a comprehensive victory over Sand City’s Reynold Belcon. Cummings, from Golden Fist Boxing Gym, proved too much for a game Belcon. Although being issued a standing eight count, Belcon continued to move forward but Cummings was too fast, zipping in and out with his combinations, then moving out of harm’s way. 

Welterweight elite novice division saw YAN’s Quincy Supersad defeating Matthew Charles after the bout was stopped within the first minute. Soon after, YAN celebrated again as Nicholas Potts recovered from a slightly shaky start to out jab Damien Deodath (Fighters Club). 

Potts was scheduled to meet Davin Sinaswee (Ultimate Gym) last night in a quarter final round. Sinaswee, the reigning welterweight champion, made quick work of his Tobago Dark Warriors opponent, Wayne Amaan. Sinaswee was a cool customer in the ring as he picked apart his opponent with some solid punches to the body and head. Within the first round the referee decided Amaan had had enough. 

Lavel Nurse from THA Elite scored the biggest upset of the night when he was given the nod by the judges against veteran Declan Calliste (Cosmic Boxing Gym) in the welterweight elite open division. The pair engaged in what was touted as the most entertaining bout of the night. With the rounds lasting three minutes and several stoppages throughout, the bout seemed almost never-ending. The crowd, however, was in stitches—and confusion—as Calliste tossed Nurse to the canvas on every given opportunity. The lack of warnings and cautions from the referee further incited an already upset Nurse, who continued to fall dramatically to the canvas. But despite the over-clinching and the theatrics, Nurse landed heavy punches to the head of Calliste, who at times seemed in danger of being knocked out. As Nurse’s hand was raised in triumph, an angry Calliste stormed out of the ring.

The first night of the championships ended in high fashion as the heavyweights took the ring. Sporting a lean, mean physique, newcomer Marinus Coutain (Fine Line Fight Factory) seemed almost placid while waiting in the corner for the first bell. On the other hand, Willpower’s Evan Jackson, also looking in great shape, kept a constant bounce and menacingly eyed Coutain. When the bell rang, Jackson came out punching but many of his punches fell short, while Coutain connected with long jabs and quick right hands. 

During the second round, Coutain found himself in some trouble as the aggressive Jackson scored three consecutive one-two’s that found their mark. Recovering quickly, Coutain then returned the favour as he let go of a barrage of punches to the body and head of Jackson, who staggered a few feet across the ring. Jackson tried his best to indicate he wanted to continue but the referee, encouraged by Jackson’s corner, called the bout to a stop. The heavyweights showed good potential as their speed and number of punches far surpassed most of the lighter boxers. On exiting the ring, both boxers showed good sportsmanship as they congratulated each other.

The championships continued last night and will end on Sunday.

It has been supported by the Ministry of Sport, Sportt and the T&T Boxing Board of Control. Caribbean Bottlers Limited has provided water and the isotonic drink, Powerade, for the athletes and officials. 

 Results

Welterweight (64kg junior)

Dariel Addams (Sand City) won by walkover vs Ernest Applewhite (White Eagle)
Rondell Ferdinand (White Eagle) def Dexter Villaroel (Biomel) - RSC

Light Middleweight (64kg junior)
Ryan Cummings (Golden Fist) def Reynold Belcon (Sand City) - Decision

Light Middleweight (69kg junior)
Shaquille Aguillera (White Eagle) def Nathan Francis (Sand City) - RSC

Light Welterweight (64kg youth)
Omar Smith (Rough House) def Kadeem Ajim (Tobago Dark Warriors) RSC 
Asad Fabien (Magic) def Mikhail Roberts (THA Elite) - RSC

Light Heavyweight (81kg youth)
Kerrell Christopher (White Eagle) won by walkover vs Vern Caraballo (Biomel)

Lightweight (60kg elite novice)
Kyle Ragoonath (Ultimate Gym) def Shaquille Mohammed (Moruga) - RSC

Light Welterweight (64kg elite novice)
David Francique (TTDF) def Conelle McClean (Willpower) - Decision
Sheffield Belgraves (Magic) v Chevon Copper (Sand City) – No Contest 

Welterweight (69kg elite novice)
Quincy Supersad (YANS) def Matthew Charles (Cosmic) – RSC 
Kieon Cardinez (Ultimate Gym) won by walkover vs Mikhail Ragoonanan (Willpower)
Nicholas Potts (YANS) def Damian Deodath (Fighters Club) – RSC  
Davin Sinaswee (Ultimate Gym) def Wayne Amann (Tobago Dark Warriors) – RSC 

Welterweight (69kg elite Open)
Joash Walkins (Rough House) def Dwayne Vieira (Black Hawks) - Decision
Lavel Nurse (THA) def Declan Calliste (Cosmic) - Decision
Keslon Raymond (Magic) won by walkover vs Jeromey George (YTC)
Ricardo Gittens (Magic) won by walkover vs Dillon Gilbert (Sand City)

Heavyweight (91kg elite novice)
Marinus Coutain (Fine Line) def Evans Jackson (Willpower) – RSC